Crowley case accused sent forward for trial

The woman charged in relation to six-year-old Deirdre Crowley has been sent forward for trial at Clonmel Circuit Criminal Court…

The woman charged in relation to six-year-old Deirdre Crowley has been sent forward for trial at Clonmel Circuit Criminal Court, Co Tipperary. Ms Regina Halligan (33), Carrignagrogherha, Fermoy, Co Cork, appeared before a sitting of Clonmel District Court yesterday, when the book of evidence in her case was served.

She is charged that on dates unknown between December 3rd, 1999, and August 31st, 2001, she detained Deirdre Crowley from the lawful control of her mother, Ms Christine O'Sullivan.

Judge David Riordan maintained previous bail arrangements, with Ms Halligan remanded on her own bond of €1,000. No further order was made. Legal aid was granted to the defendant for the Circuit Court hearing.

Christopher Crowley abducted his daughter Deirdre from her mother's home in Co Cork in December 1999. Deirdre was shot by her father at a rented house in Clonmel in August 2001. He later turned the gun on himself.

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Threat to blow up neighbour's van

An elderly member of the Legion of Mary who threatened to blow up a neighbour's van had sentencing in her case adjourned until December after a Cork court heard she had not come to the attention of gardaí in recent weeks.

Mrs Mary McGrath (63), of Innishmore Drive, Ballincollig, Cork, was convicted last May of threatening to kill her neighbour, Mr Christopher Blackham. She made a false claim against Mr Blackham, having told Cork District Court she was thrown head-first into a wheelie bin by her neighbour.

At a court sitting last week Mrs McGrath promised to stay away from alcohol as it was the root cause of many of her problems.

Sentencing was adjourned by Judge Con O'Leary until December 17th.

Stand-offs over Dublin roadworks

Conservationists opposed to the building of the Carrickmines Interchange in South County Dublin have been involved in stand-offs with tree-fellers on the site. The stand-offs occurred when construction crews moved tree-felling machinery onto the site. A handful of conservationists blocked the path of the machinery and the crews withdrew.

Fire at King's Inns in Dublin

Two units of Dublin Fire Brigade extinguished a fire in the gardens of King's Inns, Henrietta Street, Dublin, last night. A number of members of staff were evacuated when the blaze broke out shortly after 7 p.m.

It is believed that children may have started the fire on the grounds, which are open to the public.

Minister launches minibus service

A community-inspired, seven-day accessible transport service for people with mobility problems was launched by the Minister for Transport, Mr Brennan, in Dundrum, Dublin, yesterday.

The service, the Accessible Community Transport Southside (ACTS), operates two minibuses in the Dún Laoghaire/Rathdown area. It is organised as a travel club and has 150 members.

Tramore abduction investigation over

Gardaí in Tramore, Co Waterford,#. have closed their investigation into the reported attempted abduction of a teenage girl on a remote country road almost two weeks ago.

A spokesperson for Tramore gardaí said: "We carried out a full investigation and believe that the incident didn't happen as reported. No further action will be taken in the matter."