A round-up of news from around the country.
Hasbro in Waterford to lay off 34
Toy and board-game manufacturer Hasbro is to lay off 34 of its permanent workforce of 419 in Waterford before the end of this month.
The workers had until recently been temporary seasonal staff employed each year for up to four months to bolster the main workforce during the peak production period for Christmas toys and games.
A spokesman for the company said it was standard practice to take on some staff on a seasonal basis only, but by virtue of legislative changes these particular 34 workers were now permanent rather than temporary.
"They are the same people, the only difference is that they had to be made permanent," the spokesman said, "but the work is still seasonal and the demand is just for two to four months a year, when the workforce can fluctuate from between 400 and 500."
25 jobs to go at Drogheda firm
Twenty-five jobs are to go at a Drogheda-based company, Irish Flavours and Fragrances. The American- owned company, which makes food additives and fragrance compounds for perfumes and soaps, employs more than 100 full- time and about 25 temporary staff.
Workers have been told that the job losses are part of a restructuring programme related to some elements of production being moved to a manufacturing site in the Netherlands.
Funeral of student who died in France
The funeral of one of the two Irish students who died in a house fire in France last Friday will take place tomorrow.
Patricia McDonald (21), Cootehill, Co Cavan, died with her friend Carol Nolan (20), from Walkinstown, after a fire in the house they were renting in Lorient. Her funeral is due to take place tomorrow in Cootehill.
Ms Nolan's funeral is expected to take place early next week.
Both bodies are being flown home from France this evening, accompanied by members of their families.
Louth man held on cocaine charges
A Co Louth man has been remanded in custody with consent to bail after being charged in connection with the seizure in Drogheda of cocaine with a street value estimated to be in the region of €160,000.
Mark Thornton (27), Beechwood Drive, Drogheda, appeared before the local District Court yesterday. The drugs were seized by gardaí on Thursday morning.
Mr Thornton is charged with having the drug for the purpose of selling or otherwise supplying it to others on January 12th at Beechwood Drive, Drogheda.
He was remanded in custody to Cloverhill Prison with consent to bail, including an independent surety of €150,000.
Body of Kerry man taken from river
The body of a Kerry man, Pat Flahive, Shanakeale, Castlemaine, who had been missing since earlier this week, was recovered from the river Maine in Co Kerry yesterday afternoon.
A large search had continued since Wednesday afternoon.
Mr Flahive (38), a single man, had not been seen since 1.20am on Tuesday.
He had attended a social event in a pub in Castlemaine village on Monday night.