A round-up of stories from around the country.
Inquest told cause of death still unknown
State Pathologist Dr Marie Cassidy is still unable to determine the cause of death of a foreign construction worker whose decomposing body was found outdoors at the rear of a house in Castlebar, Co Mayo, in June, an inquest was told yesterday.
The coroner for south Mayo, John O'Dwyer, officially opened and adjourned the inquest in Castlebar so that the remains of Waldemar Smazj (50) could be released for repatriation to his native Poland.
The brief hearing was told that the body was found on June 30th at Saleen, Castlebar after neighbours noticed a smell.
It is believed the man had been dead for about 18 days.
Mr O'Dwyer explained that the State Pathologist had yet to determine the cause of death and had enlisted the services of a UK based forensic entomologist to assist in her task.
The inquest was adjourned until November 6th.
Mater Private shortlisted
The Mater Private Hospital has announced that it has been shortlisted by the HSE as one of the potential providers of a private hospital on the grounds of public hospitals.
In a statement yesterday, the hospital said its four preferred locations were University College Hospital, Galway, Waterford Regional Hospital, Beaumont Hospital and the Limerick Regional Hospital.
Chief executive Fergus Clancy said: "We are delighted that the HSE has shortlisted the Mater Private Hospital. We believe the hospital's knowledge and reputation as the leading co-located private hospital in Ireland will service all four of the sites very well for the benefit of all patients."
The Mater Private Hospital obtained Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation in 2002 and 2005.
It has over 700 medical and support staff with in excess of 170 admitting consultants, 202 patient beds and five operating theatres.
UK national killed in Wexford crash
A UK national was killed in a crash in Co Wexford on Thursday evening. A pedestrian, the 67-year-old man died after he was hit by a car at Kilrane, Rosslare at about 11.40pm.
The man's body was removed to Wexford General Hospital for a postmortem examination.
A Garda spokesman said his name would not be released until next of kin had been notified.
Youth sentenced to 20 months
A 16-year-old mugger and car thief has been given a 20-month sentence on his 59th criminal conviction. In one incident the south Dublin teenager and a group of youths held a man against the railings of the Liffey boardwalk in Dublin and threatened to stab him with a syringe. In another he tried to ram a Garda car while he was driving a stolen car.
The boy pleaded guilty at the Dublin Children's Court to 11 charges in which he admitted taking part in the gang robbery of the man at Bachelors Walk, on June 1st.
Kurten comes third in Russia
Jessica Kurten earned herself a $5,000 pay cheque when finishing third in a seven-horse jump-off for the honours for the Noyabrskdorstroy Prize at the Russian fixture in Chernyakhowsk yesterday, writes Grania Willis, Equestrian Correspondent.
The world number two brought out Quibell, the mare that Irish team manager Robert Splaine had hoped would be part of the Irish squad for next week's Fáilte Ireland Dublin Horse Show, to finish just over half a second off the pace set by German winner Franke Sloothaak.
Sweden's Rolf-Goran Bengtsson divided the
Irish and German challengers.