Today;s other stories in brief
DUP man says arson attack was sectarian
A DUP councillor has blamed republicans for a suspected arson attack on his home in Co Tyrone in the early hours of yesterday morning, writes Gerry Moriarty.
Samuel Brush, a member of Dungannon Council, said the incident was the latest in a series of attacks on his home and intimidation of himself and his wife. The fire damaged a shed beside his house at Main Street in Ballygawley.
Mr Brush said he believed the attack was sectarian and was linked to arrests last year relating to a 1981 IRA attack on him when he was a part-time soldier with the Ulster Defence Regiment.
Equality board member resigns
A member of the Equality Authority Board, Thérèse Murphy, has resigned her position following the resignation of chief executive Niall Crowley last week, writes Mary Minihan.
Ms Murphy, who is deputy chairwoman of the National Women's Council of Ireland, said she had written to Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern to say that "needless drastic measures imposed on staff resources" was the main reason for her decision, in addition to budget cuts.
Mr Crowley said last week that his position had become untenable as a result of a 43 per cent cut in funding.
Impact trade union national secretary Louise O'Donnell, who is an Ictu nominee to the Equality Authority Board, is considering her position. Last night a spokesman said that remained Ms O'Donnell's position, but she wished to discuss the matter with the Ictu executive in January.
Man charged over road death
A 70-year-old man has been charged with dangerous driving causing the death earlier this year of a teenager in Cork. Senan Waters of Dublin Road, Fermoy, is charged with dangerous driving causing the death of 19-year-old Sian Roberts on the N8 at Dunkettle, Glanmire, on January 21st 2008.
Sgt Bill Daly of Glanmire Garda station gave evidence at Cork District Court yesterday of arrest, charge and caution. He told the court that when the charges were put to him, Mr Waters replied: "I have nothing to say."
Judge Con O'Leary remanded the defendant on his own bail of €1,000 to appear before Cork District Court on January 28th. Defence solicitor Edna English consented to the long remand.
Appeal over ban on altar wine
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Micheál Martin, has been asked to intervene with the Israeli authorities to request that they lift a ban on the export of altar wine made at a monastery in Bethlehem, writes Patsy McGarry.
According to the Malahide Justice and Peace Group in Dublin, the Israeli authorities have been refusing entry to trucks carrying Bethlehem altar wine at the Hebron checkpoint since early December, claiming it represents a security risk.
In a letter to the Minister the group has requested that he "appeal to the Israeli government to lift the embargo and allow the wine's shipment to Christian communities all over the world for this year's Christmas celebrations".
It is understood that most of the wine produced at the monastery goes to the UK and to Christian communities throughout Israel.
Store shuts over fire-safety fears
A Tesco store in the centre of Sligo was evacuated last evening after the chief fire officer issued a closure notice "in the interests of public safety". Late-night shopping was interrupted shortly before 7pm when officials told staff and customers to leave the store at the Wine Street car park. A number of adjoining shops were closed. It is understood that there were concerns about fire alarms and the fire detection system.