A round-up of today's other stories in brief
Motorcyclist dies in Sligo after collision with van at black spot
A motorcyclist died at the scene of a road incident yesterday when his bike was in collision with a van and trailer.
The collision on the N59 at Owenbeg happened on a 6km stretch of roadway west of Dromore West, Co Sligo, claimed to be a black spot with up to 10 deaths in the past 20 years.
The man who died was a 32-year-old father of two who was named by locals as Martin Devaney from Greenhills estate, Ballina, Co Mayo.
Sligo county councillor Michael Clarke claimed the road on the stretch was “one of the most dangerous in the land”. He said it was built on a bog and a narrow stretch created difficulties for drivers.
Mr Clarke said that he was in frequent contact with the National Roads Authority to realign the road.
Buttevant to get motorway link
Residents living in Buttevant, north Cork, have secured direct junction access to the planned M20 motorway.
In previous plans for the €800 million M20 linking Cork to Limerick, Buttevant was the only town not served by a junction connection to the road.
Residents presented their case at an An Bord Pleanála oral hearing last July, arguing that the lack of access would be a massive economic disadvantage.
The board has now requested detailed plans for the proposed motorway including a new link to Buttevant.
Former IFA head to run in election
A former president of the Irish Farmer's Association (IFA) has announced his intention to run in the next general election in the Limerick constituency.
John Dillon who led the famous "tractorcade" which saw farmers from all over the country drive their tractors into Dublin city in 2003, has announced his intention to run as an independent candidate in the upcoming general election.
As head of the IFA, he spoke out against what he described as bureaucracy and red tape in the sector, as well as environmental restrictions which he claimed hindered farmers.