More news from the courts in brief.
Man in court over Dublin rental scam
A man has appeared in court on fraud charges over a rental property in Dublin.
Richard Deane (54), Kilmore Road, Artane, was charged with having false documents under section 29 (1) (6) of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud) Act 2001.
The court appearance follows an inquiry into a rental scam at the Sweepstakes apartments in Ballsbridge, Dublin. Up to 30 people lost about €35,000 when they handed over deposits for the rent of a two-bed apartment.
Mr Deane was remanded on bail to appear on July 28th .
Knife blade found in takeaway food
Dublin District Court heard yesterday how part of a knife blade was found embedded in chips bought at a takeaway food outlet.
Leonardo Pagnani, owner of Presto's, South Lotts Road, Dublin, said he did not know about the accident until an employee owned up after the customer concerned complained. He denied selling food unfit for human consumption.
Judge Brian Sheridan said he found the facts proved but said he would not convict Mr Pagnani if he paid Health Service Executive costs of €2,000 along with €600 compensation and witness expenses to Eddie Bohan, who bought the chips.
Mr Bohan said he had bought chips as part of a family takeaway meal and it was lucky that one of his children did not get it.
The court heard the blade - part of a peeling knife - had fallen into a potato peeling machine, but the accident had not been reported by the employee.
Judge Sheridan said there was "an element of aberration" in what was otherwise a well-run premises. He dismissed the case under the Probation Act. "Justice would not be served by a conviction," the judge said.
Developer told to stop selling houses
A developer in Co Kilkenny has been ordered to stop selling houses on an estate which is not connected to the public sewerage system.
At Waterford Circuit Court yesterday, Kilkenny County Council said it had been granted an injunction "to prevent Killinaspick Homes Ltd from permitting occupation of any houses not currently occupied on the Roseleigh estate in Mooncoin village".
About 60 houses on the estate are already occupied and more than 40 others are being built.
Planning permission for the development had been granted on condition that the village sewage treatment plant be upgraded and connected to the estate and that a surface water drainage system be completed before any of the houses could be occupied.
Developer Stephen Greene said last night that "there are families waiting to move into these houses".