A round-up of today's other regional news stories in brief
Siptu seeks LRC talks on Galway Clinic
Siptu is seeking an emergency conciliation meeting with the Labour Relations Commission over job cuts at the Galway Clinic, and says that unfair dismissals are taking place, writes Michelle McDonagh.
Founder of the private clinic at Doughiska and the Blackrock Clinic in Dublin, James Sheehan, has confirmed that 18 members of staff are to be let go from the hospital as part of an effort to try to stem significant losses on work undertaken for the VHI.
Siptu said last week it believed that up to 30 jobs could be lost. Members of staff were given less than a day's notice last week of the cuts.
Mr Sheehan claims that inadequate cover from the VHI and insufficient referrals from the Government's National Treatment Purchase Fund scheme have forced the clinic into a serious financial situation.The VHI rejects this criticism and says that if the clinic is in difficulties it is due to its business plan.
The VHI claims it has fully met the terms of the agreement entered into with the clinic in June 2004.
Man's ear severed in Mayo attack
Gardaí in Ballina, Co Mayo, are investigating an incident in which a man's ear was severed after he was attacked by a group of up to six men at 11am yesterday.
The man, a Traveller in his 20s, was in his caravan when he was attacked. He was taken to Mayo General Hospital, Castlebar, and later transferred to the University College Hospital in Galway.
Gardaí appealed to the public for assistance in tracing two vehicles used by the men, a red Mitsubishi 4-wheel drive and a green Vauxhall Omega car.
Youth in court on arson charge
A 17-year-old Athlone youth appeared at Ballinasloe District Court yesterday afternoon charged with committing arson under Section 2 of the Criminal Damage Act, writes Liam Horan.
The court heard that he had appeared at a special sitting of Athlone District Court on Saturday after he had earlier failed to turn up to face a charge of handling stolen goods in Cavan.
The attack took place on Tuesday at about 3am when a lone attacker threw petrol bombs into the home of a couple and their eight children. He was remanded in custody to appear at Athlone District Court on Tuesday.