A round-up to today's other stories in brief.
Couple sue Bord Gáis over explosion
A couple who say they cannot return to their Dublin home after it was damaged in a gas explosion that destroyed the adjoining house have begun a High Court action for damages against Bord Gáis.
Brian and Deirdre McDonagh say they don't want to move back into their house as they feel it is "jinxed".
The McDonaghs, of Glendoher Close, Rathfarnham, Dublin, are suing Bord Gáis Éireann for damages for personal injuries, alleged negligence and breach of duty in relation to the explosion at the adjoining house in November 2003.
In his statement of claim, Mr McDonagh said he was suffering from a complex of symptoms consistent with a diagnosis of a post-traumatic stress disorder.
Senan Allen SC, for Bord Gáis, suggested the McDonaghs' house had been burned by fire, had been repaired and was now perfectly habitable. He suggested the couple were seeking €900,000 to buy a new house.
In its defence, Bord Gáis pleads that all of the McDonaghs' claims arising from the gas explosion and fire, excluding their claims for personal injuries and loss of market value of the house, have been compromised by the payment and acceptance of €96,000.
The company also denies negligence, breach of duty or that the couple suffered the alleged or any personal injuries, loss , damage and expense as alleged.
The hearing continues.
Former boxer jailed for assault
A former Irish international boxer who left a man with serious head and facial injuries following a fracas has been sentenced to three years in prison at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
John McDonagh (22), of Oldcastle Drive, Clondalkin, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to Mr John Costelloe, at St Cuthbert's Park, Clondalkin, on April 25th, 2004.
Breffni Gordon, defending, said McDonagh, who had represented Ireland in boxing, was reliant on social welfare payments to support him and his family.
He had €3,000 in court which he had borrowed from the credit union to offer to the victim as a token of his remorse and contrition.
Judge Katherine Delahunt directed that the €3,000 be paid to Mr Costelloe before she imposed a three-year sentence on McDonagh, the last two years suspended.
Nigerian woman fights deportation
The High Court will give judgment at a later stage on an application by a Nigerian woman for leave to bring a legal challenge to prevent the deportation of herself and her two children, one of whom has been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Mr Justice Daniel Herbert heard the application for leave yesterday and reserved his decision.
He was told that an injunction preventing the family's deportation would stay in place until the judgment.
Olivia Agbonlohar (36), with an address in Clonakilty, Co Cork, claims deportation to Nigeria will adversely affect her five-year- old son, Great, who has ADHD.
However, Minister for Justice Michael McDowell, who had reviewed the Agbonlohar case last month, said he was satisfied the child was not autistic and made a deportation order.