A round-up of today's other courts news in brief.
Orders granted in Swaleh Noor girlfriend case
Kathleen Mulhall, whose two daughters were convicted of killing her Kenyan boyfriend, yesterday sought witness and exhibit orders from the Central Criminal Court.
Ms Mulhall (53), St Mary’s Park, Carlow, faces charges relating to the death of Farah Swaleh Noor at Richmond Cottages, Ballybough, on March 21st, 2005.
In December 2006 her daughters, Charlotte (25) and Linda (32) were convicted, respectively, of his murder and manslaughter.
Ms Mulhall has been charged with withholding information, helping to clean up the crime scene and giving false information about Mr Noor’s whereabouts. Her trial is scheduled to begin on February 16th.
Mr Justice Paul Carney granted the orders. The trial is estimated to last for two weeks, her solicitor indicated.
Drogheda United plan presented
A scheme aimed at securing the survival of Drogheda United Football Club was put before the High Court yesterday.
A scheme of arrangement prepared by the examiner to the club, Kieran McCarthy, was put before Ms Justice Mary Finlay Geoghegan, who will determine next Thursday whether to approve it. The court was told it would ensure the club’s survival.
Ms Justice Finlay Geoghegan said issues had to be clarified relating to the club’s finances, including the quantum of liability.
The court previously heard an independent accountant had expressed the view the club could survive if certain conditions were met, including successful talks with players and staff over restructuring costs, an investment package and the acceptance of a scheme of arrangement.
The directors have said the club experienced cash flow problems over a move to a new 10,000-seater stadium on a site south of Drogheda at Bryanstown. It got into difficulties with debts to creditors including the Revenue Commissioners, who are owed 535,506 for PAYE and PRSI. The club, league champions in 2007, was insolvent and had a deficit of more than €732,000, the court was told.
Further argument in murder trial
There was a fourth day of legal argument yesterday at the trial of a Dublin man accused of murder.
Brian Rattigan (28), Cooley Road, Drimnagh, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Declan Gavin (21), Mourne Road, Drimnagh, at Crumlin Road, Crumlin on August 25th, 2001.
It is the prosecution’s case that Mr Rattigan got out of a Nissan Micra that had pulled up outside the Abrakebabra outlet at Crumlin Shopping Centre before stabbing Mr Gavin in a “targeted attack”. The trial is expected to resume on Monday.
‘Significant’ drug dealer jailed
A “significant” cross-Border drug dealer who has been targeted in jail while on remand because his father is a retired garda, was jailed yesterday for three years. When gardaí caught Gregory Shannon (28), Coffin Bridge, Dundalk with €16,000 worth of cannabis resin, he was on probation from Armagh Crown Court, where he had been given a two-year suspended sentence for dealing cocaine.
Judge Michael O’Shea was told he was a “very significant player in the drugs trade in the northeast”. Shannon pleaded guilty to possession of the cannabis for sale or supply to others.