A round-up of today's other stories in brief
Man in court over 'severed ears' attack
A 23-year-old man was charged yesterday with an assault in west Belfast on Monday in which a man lost his ears.
Michael Doyle, of New Barnsley Gardens, Belfast, was accused of causing grievous bodily harm and trespass. He was remanded in custody. It is understood that police are investigating a domestic motive.
The 35-year-old victim is being treated in the plastic surgery unit at the Ulster Hospital, Dundonald, where surgeons attempted to re-attach one of his ears. Police believe that one of the man's ears was sliced off and the other was bitten off.
A police spokesman said the attack was not related to disturbances in the nearby Ballymorphy area.
Talks continue in press dispute
Talks were continuing last night at the Labour Relations Commission to try to avert a three-day strike at 27 regional newspapers from Sunday.
Members of the National Union of Journalists voted to take the action in response to a decision by the Regional Newspapers' Association of Ireland to close their defined benefits pension scheme.
President honours young volunteers
Young volunteers involved in cross-Border peace work and community-based initiatives were honoured yesterday by President McAleese at a special reception for Young Citizen Award recipients at Áras an Uachtaráin.
Of the 1,000 award recipients, 145 young people between the ages of 12 and 25 were selected to attend the event.
The Young Citizen Award, which was launched in October of last year as part of the European Year of Citizenship, received hundreds of applications from schools and youth groups across the State. "The individuals and organisations who have participated in these awards have, in literally thousands of different ways, invested in making life better for others and for themselves. The range of activities is phenomenal but what they have in common is a focus on the wellbeing of the individual and the community," said Ms Mc Aleese.
She added that it has traditionally been a characteristic of Irish people even during poorer periods to offer support to those who suffer, and that it was reassuring to see a more affluent and successful generation take their caring responsibilities so seriously.
Three prisoners climb on to net
Three remand prisoners from St Patrick's Institution, Dublin, yesterday succeeded in climbing up on to the net covering a recreation yard before being ushered down by prison authorities.