Other stories in brief.
Motorcyclist killed near Macroom
A 32-year-old motorcyclist was killed yesterday near Macroom, Co Cork, when he lost control of his motorcycle at Coolacaheragh, Ballyvourney, on the main Cork to Killarney road.
No other vehicle was involved in the incident, which happened at 1.30pm.
A stretch of the N22 between Macroom and Ballyvourney was closed for a period yesterday afternoon, and traffic diversions were put in place.
Gardaí in Macroom are investigating.
Greens appoint press secretary
Journalist John Downing has been appointed by the Green Party as deputy Government press secretary.
Downing (50) was until recently political correspondent with the Irish Daily Star. Before that he was political editor of the Irish Examinerand European editor of the Irish Independent. He has also worked on the staff of the Irish Press, the Kerrymanand the Limerick Echo. A native of Limerick city, Downing is married to RTÉ journalist Bethan Kilfoil.
Around-Ireland boating challenge
A group of sailors began an around-Ireland challenge yesterday to raise funds for visually-impaired children.
The Co Mayo sailors left Achill island yesterday morning on the first leg of their week-long, 900 nautical mile circumnavigation of the coastline. The voyage is being undertaken in two open-top, inflatable power boats.
The boats reached Greencastle, Co Donegal, last night, and are expected to reach Howth Harbour in Dublin today. If the weather holds up they hope to reach Achill by lunchtime on Saturday.
The group expects to raise over €60,000 for St Joseph's pre-school and early intervention service on Gracepark Road, Drumcondra, Dublin.
Man in court over sexual assault
A man in his 20s is to appear in court this morning in connection with a sexual assault on a 19-year-old woman in the car park of the Church of the Holy Rosary, Castlebar, Co Mayo, early on Friday morning.
A Garda investigation team travelled to Limerick on Friday night and arrested a suspect. Supt Eugene Brennan confirmed yesterday that the suspect would appear before Judge Mary Devins at a special sitting of Ballina District Court this morning.