A round-up of today's other court stories in brief
Prisoner 'deprived of medical care'
A prisoner who has hepatitis C and was drug free when admitted to Wheatfield Prison is now dependent on heroin and is being deprived in prison of prescribed methadone maintenance and other medical treatment, it was claimed before the High Court yesterday.
Mr Justice Iarfhlaith O'Neill directed that an inquiry take place today into the lawfulness of the man's detention.
The inquiry was sought by Peter Finlay SC on grounds that the detention is unlawful in circumstances where he has not been given access to drug and medical treatment which has been directed for him while in prison and which is required before he can access a drug treatment service on release.
He said the continuing deprivation of an opiate substance while being detained at Wheatfield amounted to degrading and inhuman treatment and an abuse of his client's rights.
Garda loses bid to stop inquiry
A garda who has been suspended on 75 per cent pay since 1998 has lost a High Court bid to stop a sworn inquiry by the force into alleged breaches of discipline by him, including allegations of associating with known criminals and having possession of a stolen Saab car with different number plates.
Mr Justice Iarfhlaith O'Neill directed that the inquiry could proceed into all but one of the allegations against Garda Patrick Farrelly, with an address in Dundalk, Co Louth.
Because Garda Farrelly had been acquitted on a criminal charge of handling a stolen Honda Civic car, the judge ruled that he could not be subject to disciplinary proceedings relating to the same matter.
The DPP later entered a nolle prosequi on the count relating to a Saab.
In his reserved judgment yesterday, Mr Justice O'Neill rejected complaints that Garda Farrelly's rights to fair procedures had been breached.
Man was armed with imitation gun
A man has been remanded on bail pending sentence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after he admitted to trespass with intent to commit an armed bank raid almost two years ago.
Glen Keegan (25), Aylesbury, Tallaght, pleaded guilty to entering the Bank of Ireland, Main Street, Tallaght, on May 3rd, 2005, as a trespasser with intent to commit robbery while armed with an imitation gun.
Judge Katherine Delahunt adjourned the case to July when all evidence in the case will be heard.
Former taxi driver gets eight years
A former taxi driver who started abusing cocaine when his marriage broke down has been jailed for eight years after he was caught holding €213,000 worth of the drug at his sister's home.
Francis Daly (38), Abbeyside, Broombridge Road, Cabra, hid the drugs in his sister's garden shed while she was on holiday. He agreed to collect the haul for payment because he had run up debts of over €57,000 from credit card bills and helping to fund his partner's heroin addiction.
Daly pleaded guilty to possession of 3kg worth of cocaine at Parslickstown Court, Mulhuddart, on June 26th, 2005.
Judge Katherine Delahunt said the fact that Daly accepted responsibility for the drugs was of significant assistance to his sister who might have found herself in trouble with gardaí.