A round-up of today's other stories in brief
Laws banning drinking in parks upheld
A High Court judge has dismissed a challenge to local laws prohibiting the drinking of alcohol in public parks.
Mr Justice Michael Hanna ruled yesterday there was no constitutional or statutory bar to local councils passing bylaws setting out fines for drinking in parks.
He was giving judgment on proceedings by Phillip Clarke of Cloonmore Park, Tallaght, Dublin, who is facing trial under South Dublin Council's bylaws for drinking in the Butler Magee Park in Tallaght on May 1st, 2005.
Mr Justice Hanna found the bylaws did not infringe Mr Clarke's constitutional rights.
The judge said the Oireachtas had given local authorities discretion to introduce bylaws to deal with mischief and nuisance in areas under their supervision.
Omagh victims seek papers
The families of some victims of the 1998 Omagh bombing are seeking documents from five persons to be used in proceedings for damages against the five in the Northern Ireland courts, the High Court was told yesterday.
The families have brought a motion in the High Court here seeking a range of documents, including books of evidence and the transcript of criminal trials involving each of the five men.
The families say the documents are relevant to an action due to take place in the High Court in Belfast.
The five men against whom discovery is being sought include Michael McKevitt (54), Beech Park, Blackrock, Co Louth, who is serving a 20-year sentence for directing terrorist activities for the Real IRA.
The Supreme Court has reserved judgment on his appeal against his conviction.
Injunction for firefighter
A part-time firefighter has secured an interim High Court injunction restraining Drogheda Borough Council from retiring him at 58.
Patrick Reilly, for firefighter James McGowan, of Bally Park, Drogheda, Co Louth, told the court yesterday his client was retained as a part-time firefighter with the council and was not due to retire until he was 65 years under a contract of employment.
However, his client, who is 58, was told officially in recent days he would be retired next week.
Mr Justice Roderick Murphy granted the interim injunction restraining the proposed retirement and made it returnable for next Wednesday.
Store appeal ruling due
The High Court is expected to rule next week on an application for leave to challenge a decision by An Bord Pleanála granting planning permission to Blarney Woollen Mills for the construction of a craft/retail store on three floors near Laragh in Co Wicklow.
Joe O'Neill, Laragh, has sought leave to bring the action against the board while Wicklow County Council and Blarney Woollen Mills Ltd are notice parties to the proceedings.
The application concluded before Mr Justice Kevin O'Higgins yesterday and he reserved judgment.
In an affidavit, Mr O'Neill said he operated a shop close to the proposed development selling a range of products directed to a great extent towards the tourist sectors.
He said he was concerned about the effect of the development on his business and the environmental impact.