A round-up of today's other stories in brief
President opens Mater's 150th anniversary celebrations
President Mary McAleese yesterday paid tribute to the staff at Dublin's Mater hospital at an event to mark the opening of its 150th anniversary celebrations, writes Eoin Burke-Kennedy.
Mrs McAleese said the Catholic teaching hospital, which is part-owned and operated by the Sisters of Mercy order, was a byword for a particular kind of healthcare excellence. “The hospital is the very embodiment of all that is good, selfless, decent and kind about Ireland,” Mrs McAleese said.
The hospital is planning a series of events later this year, including a street party at its Eccles Street location in June, to mark the anniversary.
File for DPP after seven Cork arrests
Gardaí investigating the activities of dissident republicans in Cork are to send a file to the DPP after last night releasing the last remaining suspects arrested as a part of an inquiry into the murder of convicted drug dealer Gerard Staunton.
Five men and a woman were arrested in early raids on Wednesday with a sixth man arrested later under section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act.
Explosive device in Belfast defused
An explosive device was discovered yesterday near a British army centre in Belfast.
The object was found at the Queen’s University Officer Training Corps on the Malone Road.
It was made safe by bomb disposal officers.
The alert caused serious traffic disruption.
Conall McDevitt MLA (SDLP) said the actions of whoever left the device were reprehensible.
Council denies waste privatisation
South Dublin County Council has denied suggestions it is to privatise its waste collection services and said it remains committed to its contract for the development of the Poolbeg incinerator , writes Olivia Kelly.
The council said it had informed unions representing staff involved that it was “investigating its options” for the future collection of waste, but it did not intend to seek tenders from private operators for the service.
“This is not a procurement process and the council has not or will not be inviting tenders,” it said. The council was responding to media reports yesterday that it was privatising its waste service.
It said the structure of its waste collection services was a separate matter to its contract with the developers of the Poolbeg incinerator. “South Dublin County Council has a contract with Covanta and will continue to honour our commitments under that contract,” it said.