Other home news in brief
Gormley has 'no problem' with tax rises
Green Party leader John Gormley said yesterday he had no problem with tax increases.
Speaking on Newstalk, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government said: "I think the wealthy should pay their way, it's as simple as that, but I have to get agreement firstly within my own party and secondly within Government."
When asked if there would be an increase in the higher tax rate of 41 per cent, Mr Gormley said: "I don't know . . . But I do know that it's our intention to protect the most vulnerable."
Artists' retreat for Co Monaghan
An ambitious five-year plan for a Co Monaghan artists' retreat whose past residents have included writers Colm Tóibín and Anne Enright was announced yesterday.
A new library, a digital media centre and new studios for visual, dance and music artists are among the plans for the Tyrone Guthrie Centre at Annaghmakerig.
Taoiseach to address UN
Taoiseach Brian Cowen will be among the world leaders addressing the United Nations on September 25th as part of the millennium development goals conference.
Mr Cowen, and other heads of government, have been asked by the UN to announce their plans and proposals to meet the millennium development goals.
Protesters told to vacate building
Construction workers who barricaded themselves into their union headquarters, have been told by the High Court they must vacate it.
Carpenter Daniel O'Connell, of Donard, Co Wicklow, and his son, Daniel, were warned that if they, and "unknown others", inside the the offices of the Building and Allied Trade Union at Arus Hibernia, Blessington Street, Dublin, did not obey the court order, an application could be brought to imprison or fine all of them.
Police arrest three after bank robbery
Police in the North last night arrested three men and recovered a large amount of cash after a kidnapping and robbery.
Officers were told earlier that a man had been taken hostage in Belfast. His sister, a bank employee, was ordered to take a large amount of cash to a man at an undisclosed location.
Police later searched a house in north Belfast where they arrested three men and recovered a large sum.
Man arrested after cannibas seizure
Gardaí have arrested a man following seizure of €250,000 worth of cannibas in a house in the Charleville area of Cork last night.
He is being held at Mallow Garda station for questioning about the 25kg haul.
The man, who is Irish and from Co Cork, can be held for up to seven days.