More court-related news in brief.
Mediation service helps 1,500 - Brennan
The Family Mediation Service helped almost 1,500 couples last year when they sought advice on separation and the consequences for the children of the end of their relationship, according to Minister for Social Welfare Séamus Brennan. Of those who finished the mediation process, 54 per cent reached agreement, writes Carol Coulter.
About 5,000 couples go through either divorce or legal separation every year.
Mr Brennan was speaking in Athlone, Co Westmeath, where he officially opened a Family Mediation office. He also officially opened the Bridgeways Family Resource Centre in Ballymahon, Co Longford. "In an increasingly pressurised society the role of family support and counselling services is of enormous importance in assisting couples who are coping with difficulties or have decided to reach a separation," he said in Athlone.
Sex attacker gets eight years
A man who kidnapped and raped a woman he met outside a disco has been jailed for eight years by Mr Justice Henry Abbott at the Central Criminal Court.
James Cronin (23), Freemount, Rathmore, Co Kerry, was found guilty by a jury in March. The jury convicted him of falsely imprisoning and raping the now 27-year-old woman on October 31st, 2004. He had claimed they had consensual sex. The judge said Cronin "must accept the punishment of the court for his offences" and imposed an eight-year sentence for the rape.
Directors face asbestos charges
Two firms and two directors accused of allowing asbestos to be improperly removed from a redevelopment site in Dublin will be tried in the Circuit Court.
Walmac Ltd, Hillview, Saggart, and director Martin Walshe, Woodview Lawn, Lucan, are accused of failing to obtain the services of a competent person for the removal of asbestos from the former Spring Grove laundry services company site at Shelbourne Road, Ballsbridge, on June 20th, 2003, before redevelopment.
Markethaven Ltd, Eblana Villas, Dublin, and director Phillip Monaghan, Ballawley Court, Dundrum, Dublin, are accused of intentionally or recklessly exposing, or making liable to exposure, asbestos fibres.
Judge John Coughlan adjourned the case to June 1st.
Ruling reserved on pipeline action
The High Court has reserved judgment on a challenge by Lord Ballyedmond, formerly senator Edward Haughey, to proposals to construct part of the north-south natural gas pipeline on his property.
Lord Ballyedmond seeks to prevent the State from acquiring lands of his at Dungooley, Co Louth, for the purpose of constructing a 900m section of pipeline. The section is part of the 156km of pipeline being built by Bord Gáis between Gormanston in Co Meath and Ballyclare in Co Antrim.
The action is against the Commission for Energy Regulation. In submissions for the commission yesterday, Brian Murray SC rejected arguments that the final report of the inspector was unfair or in any way flawed. The inspector had fairly come to the conclusion that the original route suggested by Bord Gáis was the best option to take across the property, Mr Murray said.