A round-up of today's other stories in brief.
State to fund Irish theatre in New York
The Minister for Arts, Sports and Tourism has announced the first Government funding for the newly purchased Irish Repertory Theatre in New York, writes Seán O'Driscoll.
Announcing the €150,000 grant, John O'Donoghue said the theatre provided "an engaging perspective on the Irish and their singular contributions to the world of drama".
Although officially approved by his department for refurbishment, the money is most likely to be used to help fund the $5.5 million (€4.1 million) purchase of the Irish Repertory's building on 22nd Street in Manhattan.
The theatre, which has been in New York for 20 years, purchased the building in February.
Promoter, GAA player dies
The death took place at his home in Co Monaghan yesterday of the well-known Ulster entertainment promoter and former prominent GAA player and administrator, Tony Loughman. He was 64 and had been ill for some time.
He died at his residence at Conabury, Castleblayney.
During his career as a Gaelic footballer Mr Loughman was a prominent player and administrator for the Castleblayney Faughs club and also with the Monaghan GAA senior county team. He was also a member of Castleblayney Town Council for a number of years.
On the entertainment scene he managed a number of well-known Irish country singing stars from both sides of the Border and also ran many shows, both in Ireland and overseas. He is survived by his wife, a son and a daughter.
Dealer warned to stay on treatment
A former crane operator who got hooked on drugs at 35 was "a sub-dealer" for someone else when he sold heroin to an undercover garda from his home, Dublin District Court heard yesterday.
Paul Ryan (42), who was born in America, pleaded guilty to possession of the drugs for supply at his home in Gateway Crescent, Ballymun, Dublin, on November 22nd last.
Dublin District Court heard he first sold three "deals" of heroin, worth about €60, to an undercover garda in Ballymun Town Centre.
The president of the District Court, Judge Miriam Malone, said she would normally have no hesitation in sending him to prison, except that he had reached this stage of his life with no other convictions.
She remanded him for a probation report to October, but said if he did not continue treatment for his drug addiction and provide clean samples to show he was doing so, she would impose a sentence of six months.
Two in hospital after sword attack
Two men were taken to hospital in Limerick after they were attacked by a group of people armed with four-foot long Samurai swords. The attack took place near Daly's Cross on the main Limerick to Dublin Road at 9.35pm on Thursday night. Both men were rushed to the Mid Western Regional Hospital, where their injuries were described as "not life-threatening".
Gardaí arrested two men in the Castleconnell area yesterday as part of their investigation into the attack. They were questioned under section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act and released without charge. A file is being prepared for the DPP.
Giant crane will be used to clean Spire
The highest crane in Ireland is to be moved into O'Connell Street in Dublin to be used in cleaning and maintenance work on the Spire. Traffic restrictions will be put in place.
Dublin City Council said that, weather permitting, it is proposed to erect the crane in the median tomorrow with the dual purpose of carrying out maintenance works on the lights and cleaning the Spire. The work is planned to take place over two days.
Charities looking for volunteers
Dublin City Volunteer Week 2007 was launched yesterday by Lord Mayor Vincent Jackson who urged the city's citizens to volunteer and "do something for yourself", writes Gilllian Hamill.
The event, which is a joint initiative of Dublin City South Volunteer Centre and the placement service of Volunteering Ireland, involves more than 20 charities who are looking for eager volunteers to help them achieve their aims.
Among those looking for volunteers to help out at yesterday's launch were charities such as Oxfam, which needs volunteers to help sort and sell merchandise in its shops.
Vomiting bug in Dublin hospital
An outbreak of the winter vomiting bug has been confirmed at St Vincent's hospital in Dublin. Fourteen patients and a number of staff at Elm Park have been diagnosed with Norovirus, commonly referred to as the winter vomiting virus.
The hospital has issued an appeal to the public to avoid the A&E department and to refrain from visiting patients where possible, in an effort to curtail the spread of the virus which is highly contagious.
It has also advised parents not to bring children to visit patients.
Meanwhile, there has been a second outbreak of the virus at the Midland Regional Hospital, Tullamore, where 15 patients and staff have contracted the virus.
Harney to meet cancer woman
Minster for Health Mary Harney has agreed to meet a mother whose breast cancer diagnosis was delayed by 14 months due to a hospital blunder, writes Georgina O'Halloran
Ms Harney will meet Rebecca O'Malley (41) from Ballina, Co Tipperary, at Leinster House on Wednesday.
The mother of three will ask the Minster to support her call for new legislation that would make reporting of medical errors mandatory.
Ms O'Malley had a biopsy at the Midwestern Regional Hospital, Limerick, in March 2005 to test for suspected breast cancer.
The sample was sent to a laboratory at Cork University Hospital which reported it to be normal.
However, 14 months later she had a second biopsy which showed she did have cancer.
Helicopter tracks drink-drivers
Sligo gardaí can now detect drunk drivers from the skies because of a helicopter equipped with sophisticated video surveillance equipment.
Images of the car, driver and behaviour are easily recorded and instantly transferable to the Garda Traffic Corps, allowing the immediate arrest of a drunk driver.
A spokesperson for Sligo gardaí said the new support unit is a huge help in tracking down drunk drivers and in controlling other crimes.