More court-related news reports in brief.
DPP meets groups for crime victims
The Director of Public Prosecutions has confirmed that he is improving existing arrangements for liaising with the victims of serious crime and their relatives, writes Carol Coulter, legal affairs correspondent.
This follows statements on RTÉ from victims' support groups that they had reached agreement with the DPP about ongoing contact when serious cases were being prosecuted.
DPP James Hamilton confirmed last night he had meetings with Support After Homicide, AdVic and other victims' groups for the past six months, discussing with them the level of support given to victims in very serious criminal cases.
"As a result of these discussions, the office is now finalising with the Garda Síochána certain improvements to existing arrangements," he said.
Man convicted of assaulting publican
A 26-year-old Taghmon man convicted of an assault on a local publican that left him disabled for life, has been remanded in custody pending sentence at Wexford Circuit Criminal Court on April 25th.
Kieran Roche, Main Street, Taghmon, Co Wexford, had pleaded not guilty to causing serious harm to Andreas Ryan, also of Main Street, Taghmon, on December 6th, 2003.
'Role model' jailed for drug offence
A man described as a "role model" in his community, was yesterday jailed for four years after admitting trying to courier over €500,000 worth of cannabis in return for €400.
Michael McCarthy (41), of Gaelcarraig Park, Newcastle, Galway pleaded guilty at Trim Circuit Criminal Court to possession of the drug for the purpose of selling or otherwise supplying it to others at Rath, Ashbourne, Co Meath on March 8th last. The court heard that the cannabis weighted over 100kg (220lb).
Judge Pat McCartan suspended the last 18 months of the sentence on condition he enter into a bond to keep the peace for three years on his release from prison.
Charged with sex assaults on girl
A local man appeared before the Magistrates' Court in Derry yesterday charged with five sex assaults on a young girl almost 30 years ago.
The 73-year-old defendant, who cannot be named in order to protect the identity of his alleged victim, was returned for trial to the local Crown Court where he will be arraigned on February 21st.
He was charged with assault with intent to rape a girl between May 1st, 1978 and September 30th, 1978. He is further charged with four charges of indecently assaulting the girl, now aged 45, between May 1st, 1978 and September 30th, 1978.
Accused admits attack on garda
A drug addict who threw a mug "in the general direction of a garda" has been sentenced to three years in prison at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Garda Marion Keane was struck with debris after the mug smashed off a door. She was later found to have received two cuts to her wrist and one to her cheek.
Terry Russell (32), of Rafters Road, Drimnagh pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to the garda and to causing criminal damage at Sundrive Road Garda station in October, 2003. He also pleaded guilty to burglary of a house.