A roundup of today's other news stories in brief
Gardaí investigate Dundalk death
Gardaí are investigating the death of a man in a fire in Dundalk early yesterday morning.
Firefighters rescued a man in his 30s from the bathroom of a ground-floor flat on St Mary's Road at around 5am on Monday and tried to revive him. He died shortly afterwards.
Garda forensic experts examined the scene yesterday, but there is no evidence at this stage to suggest the fire was malicious, according to a Garda spokeswoman.
Holidaymaker awarded €19,000
A 29-year-old Co Louth housewife, who broke her foot on a holiday in Gran Canaria, has been awarded more than €19,000 damages in the Circuit Civil Court.
Garret Cooney, counsel for Kelly O'Brien, Ferdia Park, Ardee, told the court the injury occurred as she returned from a catamaran cruise of the southern shores of the island.
Ms O'Brien said she had gone on a €930 holiday through Panorama Holiday Group Ltd, Dublin, with her partner to Playa del Ingles, Gran Canaria, in May 2003.
She told Mr Justice Esmond Smyth they had been invited to purchase a day-trip excursion which included a cruise on a catamaran. They had completed the cruise and had been walking towards their excursion bus when she had tripped on defective cobbling and fell, fracturing her foot.
Awarding Ms O'Brien €19,180 damages, Mr Justice Smyth said there was no doubt there had been a contract between Panorama and the plaintiff and the holiday firm had owed her a duty of care to transport her safely to and from the cruise venue.
Travellers urged to use service
Members of the Travelling community who find themselves in debt have been encouraged to avail of free financial guidance offered by the State-funded Money Advice and Budgeting Service (Mabs).
Research suggests Travellers are not using money advice services to the same extent as the settled community. However, debt levels are alarmingly high among sections of the Travelling community, statistics show.
Minister for Social Affairs Séamus Brennan yesterday launched a guide which contains maps of Mabs services and their proximity to Traveller accommodation.
Blood found on jacket, court told
Smears of blood belonging to a Scottish man who was murdered following a band parade in Maghera were found on the jacket of a Castledawson man accused of his killing, a court was told yesterday.
Ronald Mackie (36) described by a high court judge as "a completely innocent man" battered by a "group of thugs" - travelled to Northern Ireland earlier this year to watch the parade.
Following an evening socialising in Tobermore Football Club, Mr Mackie was chased outside the club and beaten unconscious by a gang of men during the early hours of July 29th. He was then left lying on the middle of the road where he was hit by a car, resulting in multiple injuries.
IPA diary is launched
The Administration Yearbook & Diary 2007has been launched in Dublin by the Institute of Public Administration (IPA). Now in its 41st edition, it comprises three books in one - a directory, the diary and the yearbook.
It was developed by the IPA in the mid-1960s to help facilitate better communications among public servants. The current edition covers the entire public service and major segments of the private sector such as the financial institutions, higher education, interest groups, the media and other groups. Information is provided on approximately 7,000 different organisations.