A round-up of today's other regional news stories in brief
Younger age group using Knock bureau
Increasingly younger people are seeking introductions through the Knock Marriage Bureau compared to previous decades when those seeking introductions were often in their 40s or 50s.
More women from Dublin (16) sought a life partner through the bureau last year, followed by Galway (13) and Limerick and Cork with eight each.
Galway was the top for male inquiries with (14), followed by Tipperary and Mayo (12 each).
Figures released yesterday by the director Canon Joseph Cooney show the bureau claiming credit for eight marriages in 2006.
Canon Cooney said: "Traditionally, the bureau has been associated with an older age group but a new trend is emerging."
Butterfly effect on €50m retail park
The fate of a rare and protected butterfly has emerged as a possible stumbling block to plans to develop a €50 million retail park adjacent to the Ennis bypass.
The Department of the Environment says it is Clare County Council's responsibility to protect populations of the Marsh Fritillary butterfly on the proposed retail park site at Skehanagh, Clarecastle.
Sligo national school vandalised
About 80 children aged 10-12 missed class yesterday after vandals using rocks and an iron bar smashed two doors and 17 windows at Strandhill national school, Co Sligo, over the weekend.
Galway man charged with rape
A Galway city man (26) was charged yesterday with the double rape and aggravated sexual assault of a woman in the city last June.
Judge Mary Fahy imposed reporting restrictions on the publication of the man's name in order to protect the identity of the alleged victim, who has since died.
The man, who appeared in court accompanied by his parents, faces two charges of raping the woman at a time unknown between June 11th and June 12th last year at an apartment in the city.
Judge Fahy remanded the man on bail.
Drug courier due to be sentenced
A Limerick drug courier will be sentenced on February 26th at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for having a cache of amphetamine tablets in a car stopped following a chase by gardaí in 2004.
John Costello (26), Hennessy Avenue, Kileely, pleaded guilty on day two of his trial in June at Portlaoise Circuit Criminal Court to unlawful possession of 3kg of amphetamine tablets valued at €45,000.