A round-up of today's other stories in brief...
Court orders extradition of Cork man
The High Court has ordered the extradition to the UK of a Cork man who is wanted there for the alleged kidnap and assault of his former partner.
Mr Justice Michael Peart yesterday made an order that Kieran Thomas Draisey (45), Lower Range, Rostellan, Midleton, Co Cork, be surrendered to the UK authorities. Mr Draisey has 15 days to appeal.
He is wanted for the alleged kidnapping, false imprisonment, assault causing actual bodily harm, and threatening to kill Tracy Whitworth Wilde on dates between 1995 and 1998 in the town of Widnes, Greater Manchester.
Man to face rape charges in UK
The High Court has ordered the extradition of a visually impaired man who has been living here since 2001 and who is wanted in the UK for the alleged rape and indecent assault of two young girls.
The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is wanted on charges of rape and indecent assault of the two girls on dates between March 1989 and June 2001. He has 15 days to appeal.
Two-year sentence for burglary
A man who was held in a bookmaker's shop after two men raided it described the men as "very nice burglars" after they offered him and a woman a cup of tea.
Anthony O'Leary (31), of Orchard Lawns, Ballyfermot, Dublin, was sentenced to two years in prison, with the final six months suspended, after he pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to the burglary of Paddy Power Bookmakers in Ballyfermot, on April 13th, 2004.
Judge Frank O'Donnell heard that O'Leary's co-accused got a two-year sentence last May, the last six months being suspended.
Ruling on lesbian action next month
The High Court will give judgment next month on a landmark action by a lesbian couple aimed at having their marriage in Canada recognised as valid here or, alternatively, securing the right to marry here.
The action was brought by Katherine Zappone, a public policy consultant, and Ann Louise Gilligan, an academic, against the Revenue Commissioners and the State.
Acquitted of IRA membership
A Dundalk man walked free from the Special Criminal Court yesterday after being found not guilty of IRA membership.
Seamus McMahon (38), Ashbrook, Dundalk, had pleaded not guilty to membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Óglaigh na hÉireann, otherwise the IRA, on October 7th, 2004.
Mr Justice Paul Butler said the court was not satisfied beyond a reason- able doubt of his guilt.
Action against hospital adjourned
A High Court action by a former management consultant against St Vincent's Private Hospital, Dublin, was adjourned yesterday when the judge hearing the case was taken ill. Mr Justice Diarmuid O'Donovan was taken from the Four Courts by ambulance after taking ill. The action has been adjourned to a date yet to be fixed. David Payne (44), of Naas, Co Kildare, claims he has been left with irrever- sible brain damage because of alleged negligence in his treatment at the hospital.