A round-up of some the day's other regional reports.
Gardaí release man in Cork death inquiry
A man in his 40s who was being questioned in connection with the suspicious death of west Cork father-of-seven Philip O'Driscoll was released yesterday without charge pending a file being prepared for the DPP.
The man was arrested shortly before noon and taken to Clonakilty Garda station. He was released without charge shortly before 6pm.
The body of Mr O'Driscoll (51), was discovered in a caravan in Skibbereen on St Stephen's night.
A postmortem carried out by Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster indicated he died of injuries consistent with an assault.
Gardaí were yesterday waiting on the results of toxicology reports before determining whether to launch a murder inquiry.
Mr O'Driscoll was known to have been in Drimoleague just hours before his death. He was socialising with two men and a woman and is thought to have sustained injuries to his head when a fight broke out.
Supt Pat Maher said the people of Skibbereen and Drimoleague had been of tremendous assistance over the last two days.
Anyone with information on the case should phone gardaí at 023 21570.
Funeral of shooting accident victim
The funeral of Sarah Blakely has taken place in Ballymachugh Church in Co Cavan, yesterday. Ms Blakely died on Christmas Day after an accidental shooting in her home.
Local Church of Ireland rector the Rev Jim Sides said it was a tragedy that brought a tide of sorrow which devastated all who knew the family. He said the family had the support of the entire community and the local congregation, in finding the resilience to bear such intolerable grief.
Mr Sides said the family had requested no flowers at the funeral yesterday but suggested that donations in lieu of flowers could be sent, through him, to the Bishops Appeal for the Third World.
An inquest is to be held in the new year.
Cork's farewell to culture title
Cork will bid farewell to its year as European Capital of Culture this New Year's Eve with a spectacular fireworks display to rival the opening celebrations in January, writes Olivia Kelleher.
Fireworks experts are promising a breathtaking show featuring four tonnes of pyrotechnic effects including comets, shells, flares and mines.
The fireworks, based in the Collins Barracks area, will start at 8pm on Saturday, lighting-up the city skies with a 15-minute show.
"We're encouraging everyone in Cork to be a part of the final closing celebrations," said a representative for the organisers.
Funds for animal welfare groups
The Department of Agriculture has announced €40,000 funding for animal welfare groups in Tipperary, writes James Hayden.
The department allocated €20,000 to Tipperary Friends of Animals, €12,000 to Tipperary Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and €8,000 to the Irish All Purebred Rescue in Tipperary. Fianna Fáil TD Maire Hoctor urged people to donate generously to animal welfare groups.