More court reports in brief.
Bail for Cork man charged with handling £3m in stolen cash
A 33-year-old man was yesterday remanded on bail after he was charged with two offences related to the proceeds of the £26 million Northern Bank robbery in 2004, writes Barry Roche.
Timothy John Cunningham jnr of Farran, Co Cork, was yesterday charged with two offences under the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act. He was charged with transferring £200,000 to Dan Joe Guerin on January 21st, 2005, knowing or believing it to be proceeds of the robbery.
Mr Cunningham was also charged with possessing over £3 million between December 20th, 2004, and February 16th, 2005, knowing or believing it to be the proceeds of the robbery.
Limerick man challenges right of parties to fill council vacancies without holding byelection
A Co Limerick man has brought a High Court challenge to a law that allows political parties to co-opt people on to local councils without a prior byelection.
Patrick O'Doherty, Turret Street, Ballingarry, Co Limerick, had initiated his case against Limerick County Council and the Attorney General and Fianna Fáil was yesterday joined as a notice party to the proceedings.
Mr O'Doherty is seeking an injunction restraining Limerick County Council from filling the vacancy caused by the resignation of councillor John Griffin of Fianna Fáil.
He also wants a declaration that similar co-options to other councils around the country are also invalid. Limerick County Council is due to meet next Monday when Mr Griffin's Fianna Fáil-nominated replacement is to be appointed.
Mr O'Doherty claims that Section 19 of the Local Government Act, 2001, which gives local authorities the power to co-opt replacements without a byelection, is unconstitutional.
Court action over house wrecked by gas blast
A couple whose semi-detached home had to be demolished after a gas explosion in a neighbour's house have begun a High Court action for damages.
The Drogheda couple allege their neighbours failed to ensure the gas hob in their living room was in a proper state of repair. They are also suing the Italian manufacturer and the firms that fitted the hob.
Manslaughter trial delayed
The trial of an Enniscorthy woman charged with the manslaughter of her mother, which had been due to begin at Wexford Circuit Criminal Court yesterday, is not now likely to begin until next week, writes Eithne Donnellan in Wexford.
Eleanor Joel and her partner, Jonathan Costen, both in their 30s, face charges of reckless endangerment and the manslaughter of Evelyn Joel (59), who died on January 7th, 2006.
Four held over heroin seizure
Four people were being held for questioning last night following the seizure of heroin worth an estimated €1 million in west Dublin.
Gardaí from Sundrive Road Drugs Unit, assisted by detectives from Crumlin Garda station, arrested three men in their 20s and 40s and a woman in her 40s in Walkinstown, Dublin 12, in yesterday afternoon's joint operation.