A round-up of today's other stories in brief
Storm causes power cuts in Co Kerry
Businesses, restaurants, hotels and thousands of homes in Co Kerry were left without electricity for more than three hours after an electrical storm hit the county shortly before tea-time yesterday, writes Anne Lucey.
Lightning hit the main ESB transformer in Tarbert at about 5.40pm. The power cut was followed by torrential downpours. Killarney was badly hit, with many of the town's restaurants, bars and shops forced to shut their doors. Traffic lights were also out in most towns. In all 50,000 houses were affected, according to the ESB. Power was restored in most areas by 9pm.
Freezer death due to head injuries
A postmortem carried out yesterday on the body of a man discovered in a freezer in a Galway fish shop has established he died of severe head injuries.
The examination by Assistant State Pathologist Dr Michael Curtis did not reveal when Patrick McCormack (52) died and how long his body was in the cold store.
Mr McCormack's body was discovered by the owner of The Mermaid Fish Shop on Henry Street last week. Gardaí are treating Mr McCormack's death as murder. Fifty gardaí are involved in an investigation in Dublin, Galway and Clare, where his car was found shortly after he disappeared. The last reported sighting of the dead man was five years ago.
Ó Caoláin sent home after tests
Sinn Féin Dáil leader Caoimghín Ó Caoláin has been released from hospital following tests. Mr Ó Caoláin was taken to hospital by ambulance from Leinster House on Tuesday evening. He underwent successful cardiac surgery earlier this year after suffering a heart attack.
Medical Council election date set
Elections to find a new president for the Medical Council, the regulatory body for the medical profession, will take place on July 23rd. The election has been caused by the decision of Dr John Hillery to step down to run for the Seanad.
Nominations for the position close on July 5th. The term of the new president will be uncertain as a new council will have to be elected when the new Medical Practitioners Act, which has been passed by the Oireachtas, comes into force.
Wexford crash victim named
Garda have named the 40-year-old motorcyclist killed in a crash near Brownstown, New Ross, Co Wexford on June 18th, as Tom Dywer, Ballyveria, Glenmore, Co Kilkenny. They are appealing for wittnesses.
Congress is remembered
The 75th anniversary of the 1932 Eucharistic Congress in Dublin will be marked by events in the city's Pro-Cathedral over coming days, writes Patsy McGarry. Dr Eileen Kane will give an illustrated talk on Eucharist and Art there tonight at 8pm in St Kevin's oratory. There will be Vespers and Benediction, with the Palestrina choir, tomorrow at 5.15pm and Mass at 11am on Sunday..