More news in brief.
Conflict of interest ruling likely today
A decision is likely today on the first inquiry by the Standards in Public Office Commission into an allegation of conflict of interest in the case of two local authority members.
Fáilte Ireland director and hotelier Patrick O'Donoghue (FF), a Killarney town councillor, and mayor of Killarney Sheila Casey (FG) appeared before the commission in March to answer allegations of a breach of ethics legislation, arising out of a planning motion in 2006.
Their appearance before the commission followed a preliminary inquiry held after a complaint by Kerry's ethics officer following an attempt to rezone the Gleneagle lands owned by Mr O'Donoghue. Ms Casey is an employee of the Gleneagle group.
At the hearing in March both councillors denied being aware of having breached ethics guidelines.
A spokesman for the commission yesterday confirmed the six-member board chaired by Mr Justice Mathew Smith will meet at noon today. The rezoning inquiry is on the agenda and it is likely the board will make a decision on the matter, he said.
Consumers urged to conserve water
Donegal County Council has appealed to consumers to conserve water following one of the driest periods on record.
Rainfall for February, March and April was well below average. As a result, some of the lakes from which water is sourced for supply are at extremely low levels.
Peadar MacRory, acting director of service with the council, said that a number of water supplies are already experiencing difficulties meeting demand.
New Ross to hold Polish festival
Large numbers of local people and immigrants living in the southeast are expected to attend a Polish festival in New Ross, Co Wexford, this weekend.
The festival is being held as part of the year-long 800th anniversary celebrations of the founding of New Ross and has been organised by the "Eagles", the local Polish association.
Malgorzata Kozik, the Polish ambassador to Ireland, will officially open the festival at 11am on Saturday and in the evening, the Bishop of Ferns, Denis Brennan, will confirm 32 Polish people in St Mary and St Michael's parish church, New Ross.
Two oryx calves born at Fota
Fota Wildlife Park, Cork, yesterday announced the births of two scimitar-horned oryx.
A statement said the births were very significant as the oryx is a highly endangered species and is considered to be on the brink of extinction.