A round-up of today’s other regional news stories in brief:
Student died trying to avoid rabbit
A 27-year-old female medical student who died after the car she was driving overturned may have braked hard beforehand to avoid a rabbit, an inquest was told yesterday, writes Tom Shiel.
Una Gallagher, a single woman from Ardcloon, Straide, Co Mayo, sustained internal injuries which later proved fatal when she was pinned beneath the vehicle after it overturned near her home in the early hours of September 5th, 2005.
Medical evidence was given to the inquest that Ms Gallagher died from hypovolaemic shock due to internal injuries.
The coroner, Mr O'Dwyer said what happened was unclear but the evidence was consistent with Ms Gallagher having taken evasive action to avoid a rabbit.
An inquest jury returned a verdict of accidental death.
Witnesses sought in rape inquiry
Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to come forward following an alleged rape in Waterford city in the early hours of yesterday morning.
A teenage girl was said to have received medical attention following reports of a rape in the vicinity of the Cherrymount housing estate in the city.
It is understood the alleged attack happened at approximately 12.45am near a path linking John's River to the estate after the woman had arrived into the city from Tramore by bus.
Gardaí in Waterford would like anyone who travelled on the 11.35pm bus from Tramore on Sunday and who hasn't already given them a statement to contact them on 051 305300. Inquiry after 35 sheep are shot
Gardaí are investigating the shooting of up to 35 sheep on three farms in Killoscully in Co Tipperary, writes Peter Gleeson.
The sheep, some of which were expecting lambs, appear to have been shot with a rifle.
"Some of them have died and others are still dying," said a Garda spokesman.
The spokesman said all the sheep were shot behind the ears, sparking speculation that the perpetrators may have intended selling their meat.
It is believed that losses suffered by the farmers will come to about €3,500.
Locals welcome Bundoran bypass
A new road bypassing the largest seaside resort in the northwest was opened yesterday outside Bundoran, Co Donegal, writes Paddy Clancy.
Residents celebrated with an unofficial local ceremony marking the diversion of an average 10,000 vehicles a day from their town.
Vintage cars, some up to 80 years old, were among the first vehicles on the 4km stretch linking the village of Tullaghan, south of the resort, to Finner near Ballyshannon on the north.
Bundoran Urban Council chairman Tiernan Brady said: "Business will not be adversely affected by the bypass.
"The opposite has been the effect when bypasses opened around other towns. Business went through the roof."
The new road is part of a €70 million project which, when completed within the next four months with a formal opening ceremony, will carry traffic along 12km past both Bundoran and Ballyshannon.
It is expected to reduce the one-hour journey between Sligo and Donegal town by about 15 minutes.