In Short

A round up of today's other stories in brief...

A round up of today's other stories in brief...

Hunt cruelty claim to be investigated

The Irish Council Against Blood Sports has called for a Garda investigation into complaints of cruelty to a fox by the members of the Avondhu Hunt near Fermoy in North Cork earlier this month, writes Barry Roche.

The Irish Master of Fox Hounds Association has launched an investigation into the activities of the hunt, which was joined on the day by the Ormond Foxhounds from Tipperary and a hunt group from England.

READ MORE

Spokesman Brian Munn told The Irish Times that both Irish hunts had been suspended by the association pending an investigation, after complaints were received from a number of visiting master huntsmen of cruelty to a fox.

"This complaint is from within the hunting fraternity and we are taking it very seriously," Mr Munn said.

"There will be no cover-up and if the allegations of cruelty are proven and it's proven our rules have been broken, we will take very strong actions against those responsible."

The Council Against Blood Sports says it has written to the Garda Commissioner.

Man to face statement trial

A Co Meath man has been sent for trial for allegedly making a false statement to gardaí. Robert O'Neill (42), Clonee, Co Meath, appeared at the Dublin District Court yesterday before Judge Denis McLoughlin.

The case against Mr O'Neill was sent forward to the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. He is accused of making a false statement in May 2006, at Mountjoy Garda station.

70% 'have felt sleepy' at work

Almost seven in 10 employees have fallen asleep at work or felt extremely sleepy while working, a new survey has found.

The vast majority of workers (83 per cent) said they would nap at work if their employer allowed them to, according to the survey of over 800 Irish workers by employment law firm Peninsula Ireland.

Sleep deprivation is identified as a problem with an average of seven hours of sleep a night, an hour short of the recommended eight hours.

Caffeinated drinks and supplements are used by 88 per cent of workers surveyed to help them stay alert.