A round-up of today's other news stories in brief
Dublin men tried to break into Garda HQ
Two Dublin men have appeared in Dublin District court following an attempted break-in at Garda Headquarters in Harcourt Square, Dublin.
Graham Byrne (32) from Diggs Street, Dublin, was charged with trespass with intent to commit burglary. He was remanded in custody with consent to bail of €800 and is expected to appear in court again this morning.
Frederick Howe (49), from the South Circular Road, appeared on a trespass charge and was released on bail until June.
Russian receives 2-year driving ban
A drunk Russian motorist who mounted footpaths, overtook a lorry on a blind bend, and forced two cyclists to take evasive action told gardaí when arrested: "Everybody in Ireland drinks and drives."
Aleksejs Filipovs (24), Berryfield, Finnstown Priory, Lucan, Dublin, pleaded guilty to driving with almost twice the legal alcohol limit at Newcastle Road, Lucan, on the night of March 5th last.
Dublin District Court heard gardaí spotted him driving towards them with no headlights on and partly up on a footpath. They turned and followed him until he drove up behind a lorry approaching a roundabout.
When the two vehicles got through the roundabout, Filipovs overtook the lorry on a blind bend at which point gardaí activated their siren, but he continued driving.
Further up the road, gardaí saw two cyclists and warned them over the patrol-car loudhailer to move out of the way, which they did, although Filipovs mounted a pavement again.
He stopped after another 300m (985ft) and when arrested, immediately made his comment about everybody in Ireland drink-driving. He was wearing bedroom slippers when arrested, the court also heard.
He later gave a breath test with a reading of 66ml per 100mg of alcohol.
He was banned from driving for two years and fined €150.
Airline fined for breach of safety
Aer Lingus was fined €900 yesterday for health and safety breaches after a baggage handler had a finger crushed in a luggage carousel accident.
The company pleaded guilty to three breaches of health and safety legislation after worker David McKenzie was injured on November 13th, 2004.
Dublin District Court heard the incident happened on a new roller mat-type system for luggage destined for the "dolly" which transports bags to aircraft. It had been operated successfully in Heathrow airport.
However, it should have been fitted with a bar or hook which would engage a locking device and prevent such accidents from happening. Mr McKenzie was out of work for 5 months.
The court heard this was the company's first conviction for a health and safety breach. Judge Patrick Clyne imposed fines of €300 for each breach and ordered the payment of €2,000 costs.