Senior Vatican figures have confirmed that the question of the imminent retirement of the Archbishop of Dublin, Cardinal Desmond Connell, has been put "on the table" of Pope John Paul II, writes Paddy Agnew.
Cardinal Connell, who will be 78 on March 24th, offered his resignation three years ago, in accordance with canon law which provides for retirement at age 75. The Pope last May appointed Diarmuid Martin as Co-Adjutor Archbishop of Dublin, meaning that he will succeed as Archbishop of Dublin when the Vatican accepts Cardinal Connell's resignation.
'Real IRA' case ruling next week
The Special Criminal Court will rule next week on whether three Northern Ireland men accused of "Real IRA" membership were lawfully detained by gardaí after their arrest in Co Monaghan.
The three have denied membership of an illegal organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Óglaigh na hÉireann, otherwise the IRA, on November 8th, 2002. They are Mr Cathal Loughran (27), Clady, Co Armagh; Mr Dominic Dynes (32), Keady, Co Armagh, and Mr Aidan Grew (47), Blackwatertown, Co Armagh.
Legal argument in Murphy case
The trial of four youths charged with the manslaughter of student Brian Murphy outside the Burlington Hotel continued yesterday in legal argument in the absence of the jury.
Damaged crane jib dismantled
The damaged jib of the crane that partially collapsed in Ringsend, Dublin, last weekend, forcing the evacuation of 60 homes, was dismantled yesterday. The crane was damaged in high winds on Sunday, leaving a cross-section hanging precariously.
Hospital beds to be reopened
Almost 200 acute and non-acute beds in the Dublin area are to be immediately reopened following a meeting between the Irish Nurses' Organisation and the Eastern Regional Health Authority. Relevant hospitals are being given the go-ahead to make appropriate adjustments in their staffing and funding arrangements to ensure they can open the beds.
DART disrupted following death
Southbound DART services between Dún Laoghaire and Bray/Greystones were suspended for almost two hours yesterday evening after a man was fatally struck by a north-bound train on the track between Killiney and Dalkey stations at about 4.30 p.m.
Judge allows thief to go on holiday
A former traffic warden who has pleaded guilty to stealing over €300,000 from Ennis Town Council is being allowed to join his wife in Spain for Valentine's Day.
Chris Harford, Cluain Ard, Kilmaley, was given his passport back by Judge Con O'Leary at Ennis District Court and is allowed to spend eight days in Spain.
On December 19th, Mr Harford, who operated parking machines at Dunnes Stores car-park in Ennis - signed a plea of guilt to three charges accusing him of stealing €301,625.