In Short

A round-up of today's other stories in brief

A round-up of today's other stories in brief

Irish firms win Corrib Gas contracts

Irish construction companies have won contracts valued at €76 million for the construction of the controversial Corrib Gas terminal at Bellamaboy Bridge in north Mayo.

The contracts will cover civil works, structural steel works, mechanical engineering works and electrical and instrumentation.

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According to Terry Nolan, deputy managing director of Shell E&P Ireland, the €76 million spend will include an investment of €10 million in Erris and over €14 million in Co Mayo.

PM Group was named as the construction management contractor for the giant terminal project last year. The other winning contracts have been submitted by Mercury Engineering, Roadbridge Limited and SIAC Butler Steel.

Dr Mark Garavan, spokesman for the Shell to Sea group, yesterday said the awarding of contracts was premature in the absence of any agreement regarding a new onshore pipeline route.

Shell had made a commitment to reaching agreement with Rossport residents over a revised pipeline route before proceeding with work on the terminal, Dr Garavan stated.

Actor in Donegal riding accident

American actor Matthew Broderick suffered a fractured collarbone in a riding accident in Co Donegal last Sunday.

Broderick, who was staying at his holiday home in Kilcar, was treated at Sligo General Hospital but was discharged on Sunday evening.

The actor, who starred in The Producers and Ferris Bueller's Day Off, had arrived at Strandhill airport in Co Donegal with his wife - actor Sarah Jessica Parker - and their son on Friday.

Man on murder charge remanded

A 21-year-old man charged in connection with the murder of his 19-year-old former girlfriend Sheola Keaney was further remanded in custody yesterday following his appearance at a Co Cork court.

Thomas Kennedy of Russell Heights, Cobh, Co Cork appeared before a special sitting of Midleton District Court on July 21st last where he was charged with the murder of Sheola Keaney contrary to common law.

Yesterday at Mallow District Court, Inspector Senan Ryan applied for an extension of the time allowed for the preparation of the book of evidence in the case.

Industrial action threat at paper

Unions at Independent Newspapers will today warn the company that it faces industrial action if it does not return to talks at the Labour Relations Commission.

Members of the Dublin printing group of unions at the paper, of which the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) is the largest, have voted by a 78 per cent majority to take industrial action if the company makes changes to their pension scheme without agreement.

Discussions on proposed changes to the scheme at the Labour Relations Commission ended recently without agreement.

Management claims that increased contributions of 5.8 per cent to 9.5 per cent from staff are necessary to correct a 28 per cent shortfall in the defined benefits pension scheme.