A round-up of today's other stories in brief.
New Minister opts for early holiday break
Newly appointed Minister of State Mary Wallace has taken a four-day holiday break just days after her promotion, writes Mark Hennessy.
The Meath TD was granted permission by the Government chief whip, Tom Kitt, when she applied to be absent from the Dáil this week for "personal reasons".
Her absence has annoyed some Fianna Fáil colleagues, who are still angered that she was promoted to Minister of State for Agriculture last week.
Last night, her office said: "She is fulfilling a long-standing four-day private commitment and is in touch with her office's inquiries and business during these four days."
The promotion for Ms Wallace annoyed many Fianna Fáil TDs, particularly since she had been absent for more than half of all Dáil votes taken following her sacking from the junior ministerial ranks in 2002.
'No Logo Day' in secondary schools
The Green Party yesterday announced "No Logo Day", to be held on March 31st, when thousands of secondary school students will be encouraged to cover up brand labels and logos on their clothing for the day.
According to Eleanor Petrie of the National Parents Council (Post Primary), parents and students alike are coming under "huge pressure" to buy branded clothing.
"Children pester parents because it is the thing to do," she said. "It has definitely increased in recent years, as the marketing has increased. People are more aware of what's available."
The initiative is being accompanied by a "style wars" competition, where students will be asked to create a full outfit for less than €25, with prizes for the winners.
Former FG TD not to stand
Former Fine Gael TD Gerry Reynolds has confirmed that he will not be contesting the general election in the new constituency of Roscommon/ South Leitrim.
Mr Reynolds, the current chairman of Leitrim County Council, lost his Dáil seat in the 2002 general election.
Priest guilty of sexual assault
A retired priest was last night remanded on bail for sentence after he was found guilty of four charges of indecently assaulting a woman in her early 20s more than two decades ago in a church in Cork city, writes Barry Roche.
Canon Denis Forde (73), The Presbytery, Dunmanway, Co Cork, had denied four counts of indecently assaulting the woman but a jury found him guilty of all four offences after almost six hours of deliberation.
Judge Seán Ó Donnabháin remanded Forde on bail to appear again at Cork Circuit Criminal Court for sentence on May 23rd next.
Victim of Kildare road crash named
Gardaí in Newbridge yesterday named the victim of a road crash near Martinstown on Wednesday evening as John Robinson (26), Kilmeade, Athy, Co Kildare.
Meanwhile, an elderly man who sustained injuries in a three-car collision in Roscommon on Tuesday died yesterday in University College Hospital in Galway.
John Finnerty (88), Mount Talbot, Athleague, Co Roscommon, was the driver of a car which collided with another car and a mini-bus at Clooneen, Athleague, Co Roscommon, on Tuesday evening.
Winter bug halts admissions
Cappagh National Orthopaedic Hospital in Dublin has been closed to new admissions due to an outbreak of the winter vomiting bug among patients and staff.
All surgery scheduled for next Monday and Tuesday has been cancelled.