More news in brief
The Government decided at yesterday's Cabinet meeting to extend Mr Dermot Gallagher's term of office as the secretary general of the Department of Foreign Affairs by two years. Mr Gallagher took up the post in 2001, moving from his position as secretary general at the Department of the Taoiseach. A native of Co Leitrim, he has served as ambassador to the US and head of the Department's Anglo-Irish Division during the Northern Ireland peace process.
Gardaí name male road crash victims
Gardaí have named two young men, who were killed following road crashes on Monday and at the weekend. Dermot Murray (20) died when the car in which he was a front seat passenger crashed at Bogginhill, close to the village of Ballon, Co Carlow, at about 11.30pm on Monday night.
Mr Murray, Bunclody, Co Wexford, had been at the cinema in Carlow with two friends and was returning home when the collision occurred. Gardaí believe the car left the main Carlow to Wexford road at a bad bend and went into a field at the opposite side of the road.
The road, a notorious blackspot area, was closed for several hours. No other vehicle was involved.
Steponas Burba (28), originally from Lithuania, living in Monaghan town, was killed on Sunday when his motorbike crashed into a lorry. The incident happened shortly before 5pm on the N16 at Cornastauk, near Manorhamilton, Co Leitrim. Gardaí at Manorhamilton are appealing for witnesses.
Neighbours praised for rescue attempt
A senior fire officer in Derry yesterday praised the bravery of neighbours who tried in vain to save a man from his burning home. The body of Seán Griffen (29) was recovered from the first floor of his home in Malin Gar Creggan by fire officers who forced their way into the building shortly after four o'clock yesterday morning. He lived alone.
Road safety body welcomes penalties
The Road Safety Authority has welcomed the increase in penalties for a range of serious offences, brought into effect by the Minister for Transport in the last few weeks.
Noel Brett, chief executive, said: "the gardaí are now conducting 30,000 breath tests a month".
Cork gang steal TVs, laptops
Gardaí in Cork are searching for a gang who stole over €300,000 worth of laptops and televisions when they broke into a warehouse in an industrial estate off the Sarsfield Road in Wilton at the weekend.