Other court stories in brief
Woman takes asbestos case against ESB
A woman has begun an action against the ESB over the death of her husband as a result of asbestosis allegedly contracted while he worked with the ESB. The ESB denies liability.
Declan Doyle SC, for Teresa Clohessy, Kilcross Lawn, Sandyford, Dublin, said her husband Michael (53) had joined the ESB in 1968 at the age of 18 and remained there until he retired due to ill- health in 2001. He died on December 6th, 2003, as a result, Mr Doyle said, of exposure to asbestos. His job entailed cleaning up various sites around the State after storms and construction work.
The hearing before Mr Justice John Quirke continues today.
Boy in unlawful Garda detention
A teenage Dublin boy held in a Garda station because there was no place for him in Oberstown Boys centre, to which he was sentenced for 14 months on theft and other offences, has been freed by order of the High Court after the State accepted he was in unlawful detention.
The boy (15) was sentenced on Wednesday to 14 months in Oberstown but could not be admitted because there were no places available. He was then taken to Store Street Garda station and detained there overnight.
Retired teacher to face new trial
A new date next March has been set at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for the trial of a retired Sligo teacher charged with indecent assault of pupils more than 40 years ago.
The 65-year-old man's trial collapsed earlier this week on its third day when Judge Patrick McCartan discharged the jury following an application by his defence counsel after a comment by one of the complainants.
The man had pleaded not guilty to 83 charges of indecently assaulting six males between 1968 and 1976 in a Sligo primary school.
Legal argument in stabbing trial
The trial of a Lithuanian man for allegedly killing a fellow countryman has continued on day four with legal argument in the absence of the jury.
Rimantas Padimanskis (44), Lios Cian, Swords, Co Dublin, has pleaded not guilty to the manslaughter of Darijus Onusaitis in November 2005 by stabbing him.
Paraplegic settles case
A paraplegic woman who fell and fractured her leg while in a disabled persons toilet has settled her High Court action for damages. It is believed the settlement was in the region of €60,000.
Laura Doherty (46), The Ward, Co Meath, had sued Sunny House Hotels, Limited, trading as the Sunnybank Hotel, Glasnevin, Dublin, which denied liability for the incident eight years ago.