A round-up of today's other news stories in brief.
Cork drug dealer jailed for 14 years
One of Munster's main drug dealers has been sentenced to 14 years in prison in relation to the seizure of cannabis and cocaine.
Michael Tanner (40), Clonakilty, Co Cork, had pleaded not guilty to two counts of having drugs for sale or supply and to one count of being in possession of cocaine and cannabis at Bawnleigh, Ballinhassig, Co Cork, in June 2004.
It was the second time he has been in court in relation to the charges, having appealed a previous conviction.
Tanner was arrested at the house in Ballinhassig following Garda surveillance. Gardaí had received information that there would be a quantity of drugs at the location and that a transaction had taken place at a restaurant at the Kinsale Road roundabout near Cork. This shipment was to be moved to a house at Ballinhassig.
Tanner and an accomplice travelled to the house where detectives witnessed Tanner holding a white package containing cocaine.
When he saw the detectives he dropped the package on to a black and blue hold-all bag containing cannabis and cocaine, all with a value in excess of €13,000.
Scales were located inside and the implements had a residue of cocaine.
Tanner is already serving 15 years for possession of €485,000 worth of cannabis, cocaine and other drugs relating to a seizure of drugs at South Terrace in Cork city. This operation was part of a follow-up search of a car park in the city centre the day after the Ballinhassig seizure.
Judge Patrick Moran told Tanner that because he was the operator of the drugs operation that he would have to face a lengthy prison term.
Man charged with firefighter assault
A man has appeared in court charged with assaulting a firefighter in Dublin last week.
Stephen O'Reilly (29), Jamestown Avenue, Inchicore, Dublin, was charged with assault causing harm to Mark Hogan at Aston Quay on June 25th and with being intoxicated in a public place.
Dublin District Court heard gardaí wanted a remand for DPP's directions in the case.
Judge Mary Collins remanded him on continuing Garda station bail to appear again on September 5th.
Representation at sentencing advised
Judge Frank O'Donnell has told the man found guilty for his role in the shooting of publican Charlie Chawke during an armed robbery that he should be professionally represented by a legal team at his upcoming sentence hearing.
Larry Cummins had refused to instruct his legal team during his five-day trial last month at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court and formally discharged them at its closing stages.
Cummins (54), Mellowes Road, Finglas, was found guilty by the jury of intentionally causing serious harm to Mr Chawke, robbery of €48,652 in cash and cheques, possession of a shotgun with the intention to commit robbery and two counts of possession of a shotgun with the intention of resisting arrest at the Goat Grill, Goatstown, on October 6, 2003.
Judge O'Donnell told Cummins it was in his best interests to be represented by a barrister and a solicitor and Cummins agreed. Judge O'Donnell then assigned the legal team which had previously represented him. Cummins is to be sentenced next week.