More news in brief.
Telephone alert scheme for elderly
A free telephone alert service for older people who are isolated, vulnerable, or living alone, in Dublin's north west inner city, was launched yesterday.
The Friendly Call Service already reaches some 40 older people in Dublin's north inner city as well as over 600 older people in north Dublin.
It began as a voluntary project called Good Morning Blanchardstown in 2005.
The service's staff phone older people five days a week. If there is no answer within a set period of time they inform next-of-kin or emergency services.
"Last year the service directly helped to save 12 people's lives where emergency services were required . . ." said service manager Danny Bell.
Injured man on life support
Gardaí in Cork have launched an investigation into the circumstances in which a man in his 30s suffered severe head injuries which have left him on a life support machine in hospital.
The man, who is originally from the Blackrock area of Cork city but is living in the Victoria Cross near County Hall, presented himself with injuries at Cork University Hospital at around midday on May 14th.
He was admitted to hospital but his condition has deteriorated dramatically to the point that he was last night on a life-support machine in the intensive care unit with a HSE spokeswoman describing his condition as "critical".
Trial for sole survivor of crash
A Derry man charged with dangerous driving causing the deaths of five young people in a two-car collision in Donegal has been returned for trial by jury. Brendan Henderson (49), Seven Oaks, Waterside, is charged with causing the deaths of Gavin Duffy (21), his cousin Darren Quinn (21), David Steele (23), Rochelle Peoples (22) and Charlene O'Connor (21).
All five friends were travelling in a Peugeot 205 in the early hours of October 8, 2005, at Cross, Quigley's Point on the Inishowen peninsula. The defendant, who was travelling alone in his vehicle, was the sole survivor of the crash.
At a hearing last month, the defendant indicated his intention to plead not guilty. The book of evidence was served yesterday on the accused and legal aid was granted.
Women's prison expert to speak
The leading British expert on women in prison will speak in Dublin tomorrow on the lessons of the experience of imprisoning women in England and Wales, writes Carol Coulter, Legal Affairs Editor.
Baroness Jean Corston is the author of the Corston Report, a review of women with particular vulnerabilities in the criminal justice in England and Wales.
She wills speak at a public conference in the Distillery Building, Church St at 5pm tomorrow.
The conference is being organised jointly by the Bar Council and the Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice.