A round-up of other home news in brief
PD councillor in Limerick moves to Fine Gael
A former PD county councillor in Limerick has been formally welcomed to Fine Gael by party leader Enda Kenny.
Mr Kenny said the decision of Rose Brennan, PD councillor for the Adare electoral area, was yet further confirmation of the continued growth and strength of the Fine Gael team. He looked forward to her working with her new Fine Gael colleagues on Limerick County Council.
A PD councillor since 2004, Ms Brennan succeeded her husband, former senator Michael Brennan, who had represented the area for more than 20 years.
Park sealed off for Garda search
A large section of St Anne's Park in Raheny remained sealed off last night, as gardaí continued a search of the area. Gardaí were unable to give the nature of the search for operational reasons, but confirmed it was as a result of information received.
Drugs savings plan for Harney
A report on how substantial savings can be made to the State's drugs bill by removing certain products from the medical card scheme is expected to be submitted to Minister for Health Mary Harney today.
The report was ordered in October from a group chaired by Dr Michael Barry after the Government announced revised income thresholds for over-70s applying for medical cards. It wants to save €100 million by abolishing the automatic entitlement of all over-70s to medical cards from January 1st, by introducing a flat fee for GPs treating over-70s with medical cards and by reducing spending on drugs.
Examiner for catering firm
The High Court has confirmed the appointment of an examiner to a company which provides catering services for horse-racing tracks around the State and employs 17 people.
The court appointed Kieran Wallace of KPMG as examiner to Masterchefs Ltd, Muirfield Drive, Naas Road, Dublin, on the application of its directors. Mr Wallace was appointed interim examiner last week.
An independent accountant report is of the opinion the business could survive as a going concern provided certain conditions were met.
James Doherty for the company said it had been severely affected by the loss of the contract for Leopardstown Racecourse.
Two in court over jewellery theft
Two men have appeared before Galway District Court charged in connection with the armed robbery of €100,000 worth of watches from Hartmann's jewellers in Galway city last Friday.
Eugene Cullen (25), Derry Road, Crumlin, Dublin, is charged with the robbery while Gavin Carabini (26), Our Lady's Road, Marylands, Dublin, is charged with failing to appear before Dublin District Court on a Dublin robbery charge last Friday - the day of the Galway robbery.
Both men were remanded in custody.