More news in brief.
Father dies after crane hits power line
The Health and Safety Authority has begun an investigation into the electrocution death of a man who was operating a truck-mounted crane in Co Mayo.
The victim, who has been named locally as Padraig Gavigan (42), from Killasser, Swinford, was unloading building materials from a lorry when the crane he was operating touched an overhead power line.
Mr Gavigan, a married man with a young family, was killed instantly. The accident happened at about 1pm at a farmyard building site in Meelick, Swinford, to which he had been delivering construction material.
Electricity supplies in the Swinford area were interrupted for a time due to a blackout caused by the accident.
Man held over bank robbery
A man has been remanded in custody after he was charged in connection with a robbery at a branch of Bank of Ireland in Skibbereen, Co Cork, last Monday.
Mark O'Connor (33), Curraheen Lawn, Curraheen, Cork, appeared before a special sitting of Bantry District Court yesterday in connection with the incident.
He was charged with the robbery of €24,475 and cheques totalling €4,190.
Det Sgt Gerry Crowley said Mr O'Connor made no reply when the charge was put to him. Supt Pat Maher objected to bail in the case.
Judge James McNulty remanded Mr O'Connor in custody.
No jail for arson, sword incident
A former soldier who poured petrol over his wife while trying to burn his house down has been given a suspended three-year jail sentence.
Raymond Buckley (49) was swinging a samurai sword at his 14-year-old son when gardaí arrived at his home on St Patrick's Day 2005.
He pleaded guilty at Limerick Circuit Court to arson, production of a weapon to intimidate another person and reckless endangerment.
His wife Patricia escaped to a neighbour's house after Buckley poured petrol over her.
Judge Carroll Moran said he had taken into account a report which said Mr Buckley was dealing with his alcohol problems.The court heard that Buckley was retired from the Army and had no previous convictions.
Judge Moran imposed a three-year sentence but agreed to suspend the sentence on condition that Buckely had no contact with his wife and stayed out of trouble.
Algae warning for Kerry lough
Holidaymakers and residents have been warned not to use water from Lough Caragh, a scenic lake in the foothills of the Macgillycuddy's Reeks near Killorglin, Co Kerry.
The warning came after council scientists identified an algal bloom after what was described as "ideal conditions" for algal growth.
Kerry County Council also warned that pet dogs and other animals should not be allowed to drink from the lake.
Council workers had identified algal scum along the northern shores of Lough Caragh, a council spokesman said.