A round-up to today's other court stories in brief
Sergeant stole and sold seized cars, court told
A Garda sergeant who was in charge of the official compound for seized motor vehicles sold two of them without authority, a jury has been told at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
John (Ben) Mulvihill (53), who has since retired, of Cherryvalley, Rathmolyon, Co Meath, has pleaded not guilty to stealing a Mitsubishi Colt between May 12th and June 30th, 2002, and a Ford Transit van between December 2nd, 2002, and February 28th, 2003.
Both vehicles were being held at the Garda compound at Store Street Garda station and were valued at €2,500 and €11,500 respectively.
The trial continues before Judge Donagh McDonagh and a jury.
Soldier challenges court martial
A soldier who is facing a court martial for alleged desertion has claimed he was the victim of bullying and has brought a High Court challenge alleging unfairness in the court martial procedure.
Pte Philip O'Reilly joined the Army in 1998 and is attached to the 5th Infantry Battalion at McKee Barracks. He is due to be tried for desertion in April.
He has claimed the reason he left on December 18th, 2001, was because he strongly believed he was being harassed and bullied by other soldiers and noncommissioned officers.
He had reported harassment to a number of officers but no action was taken, he said.
Mr Justice Michael Peart granted leave to counsel for Pte O'Reilly to bring judicial review proceedings in which he is seeking an order prohibiting his limited court martial.
Man to seek details from Cab
A horse dealer from Co Kildare has claimed the Criminal Assets Bureau has shown no basis for its raising of income tax assessments for some €800,000 against him for 1992/93 to 2003.
In High Court proceedings, Troy Jordan, River Road, Allenwood South, Naas, claimed Cab's refusal to explain how and on what basis it raised the assessments breaches his constitutional rights to natural justice and fair procedures. It also infringes the European Convention on Human Rights, he said.
Mr Justice Michael Peart granted leave to counsel for Mr Jordan to seek, in judicial review proceedings, orders requiring Cab to give Mr Jordan all details and restraining it from taking any role in Mr Jordan's forthcoming appeal of the assessments until that information is disclosed.
Proposed Kinsale resort opposed
A retired merchant sailor has taken High Court proceedings to stop the proposed development in Kinsale of what has been described as the largest integrated holiday resort in Ireland, writes Mary Carolan.
Thomas Harding, Ardbrack Heights, Kinsale, yesterday secured a High Court injunction restraining An Bord Pleanála from considering, pending the outcome of legal proceedings, an appeal regarding the development.
The proposed scheme, on lands at Ballymacus overlooking the eastern mouth of the entrance to Kinsale Harbour, includes a hotel, conference centre, 18- hole golf course, equestrian centre and 192 lodges/ apartments. 'Mr Justice Peter Kelly yesterday granted the injunction on specific terms to Caroline Costello, for Mr Harding.