A round-up to today's other court stories in brief
New date set for trial of bus-driver
The trial of a bus-driver charged in connection with the deaths of five people two years ago has been given a new date next February.
Kenneth Henvey (48), Clondalkin, Co Dublin, who is charged with dangerous driving causing the deaths of five people at Wellington Quay in February 2004, had been due to go on trial in May.
Judge Michael White at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court refixed the date after applications were made concerning pre-trial issues. Mr Henvey has been on continuing bail.
Diamond offences sentence deferred
A man has been remanded for sentence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on a dishonesty charge connected with the alleged theft of diamonds.
Gerry Coates (45), Pinebrook Lawn, Hartstown, pleaded guilty to inducing another person in December 2004 to believe that diamonds worth €287,185 were the subject of a theft.
Judge Katherine Delahunt adjourned sentencing to when two other men who made bogus statements in connection with the diamonds are also due for sentence.
Mark (26) and Alan Dunne (25) both of The Heath Square, McKee Avenue, Finglas, had earlier pleaded guilty to knowingly making false statements to gardaí intending to show that an offence had been committed.
Settlement agreed with TD's widow
The High Court has approved a €550,000 settlement for the widow of a former TD and senator who died in a car crash in Co Roscommon 10 years ago. A Croatian national also died.
Liam Naughten (52), a father of eight, was Seanad cathaoirleach when he died in the crash on the Athlone- Ballinasloe road in November 1996. He was a passenger in a car and was on his way from one funeral and going to another.
Mr Justice Richard Johnson yesterday approved the settlement of an action arising from the collision of November 16th, 1996, which was brought by Mary Naughten against Hamills Car and Van Rentals Ltd, with offices at Dublin Road, Mullingar, Co Westmeath.
6 years for threats and break-in
Chinese students threw a duvet over a heroin addict and tied him up after he broke into their residence and demanded money from them while brandishing meat cleavers he found in their kitchen.
Keith Kinlan (30) Gloucester Place, Dublin, was jailed for six years by Judge Michael White who said that while the court accepted he did not set out to use violence, the five Chinese students had moved house due to their "very frightening ordeal".
Kinlan, who was diagnosed as HIV positive in 1993 and has hepatitis C, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to committing aggravated burglary on May 2nd, 2005.
He has 35 previous convictions.
Cormac Quinn, defending, said Kinlan's life expectancy was less than normal for his age group due to his health which could deteriorate quite rapidly.
He had a €200 a day heroin addiction and a cocaine problem and wanted to apologise and assure the victims he never intended to use violence.
Garda Niall O'Gorman told Anne Rowland, prosecuting, that Kinlan broke into the house looking for money to feed his drug habit.