A round-up of today's other stories in brief...
Irish lobby for UN treaty to help disabled
Proposals to implement a new UN treaty to help 650 million people with disabilities worldwide are to be put to an international convention today by the Irish Human Rights Commission.
A delegation is in Geneva to urge states to implement proposals which were agreed by the UN in 2005.
The treaty recognises that a change of attitude is vital if disabled people are to achieve equal status. States that ratify it will be obliged to combat negative stereotypes and prejudices.
Access to public spaces and transport will have to
be improved under the proposals, which will have to ratified into the laws of each member state.
The Irish Human Rights Commission was to the forefront in drafting proposals made by the Harvard Law School.
Commission president Dr Maurice Manning said: "I want to locate our commission as a window onto international law and as a vehicle that allows us to play our part as good global citizens on an issue that affects 650 million people."
Jesus key figure in Koran, says imam
There are more mentions of Jesus in the Koran than there are of the Prophet Mohammed, an Iraqi-born imam has told Catholic parishioners in Dublin.
Dr Ali Al-Saleh, imam at the Shia mosque in Milltown, told Catholic parishioners that Muslims looked to the ministry of Jesus Christ as a model of moral teaching and living.
Addressing the topic, Feasting and Fasting in Ramadan, in a Lenten series of talks at Milltown Catholic parish this week, he explained the Islamic understanding of fasting and renunciation as a way of helping the human spirit align itself with God.
State threat to sue abuse victims
An RTÉ television investigation has claimed that the Minister for Education, through the Chief State Solicitor's Office, wrote to victims of abuse in litigation with the department threatening them with legal action.
Last night's Prime Time revealed that the letters instructed victims to remove any reference to the department from civil proceedings or risk the department pursuing them for costs.
Deirdre Fitzpatrick, spokeswoman for One in Four, which supports victims of sexual violence, called on the Government "to enact legislation to place responsibility for the welfare and protection of all children in the hands of the State".
Midnight feast for Playstation fans
Gaming fans queued outside Gamestop on Dublin's Henry Street last night for the purchase of Sony's latest games console, Playstation 3.
Loyal fans from Tallaght, Finglas, Glasnevin and Shankill waited patiently for the store's opening at midnight to be among the first in Ireland to try it out.
They had all pre-ordered the €629 machine, some paying for it in instalments since Christmas.
The Playstation 3 is the most expensive video game system ever launched on the Irish market. Microsoft's competing Xbox 360 Pro sells for about €459, while Nintendo's Wii can be purchased for €270.
Maternity hospital opening in doubt
The planned opening of the new €75 million Cork University Maternity Hospital tomorrow remains uncertain.
A meeting between Health Service Executive management and officials of the Irish Nurses Organisation and Siptu to resolve the dispute over staffing levels continued until late last night without a deal being reached.
The Labour Court ruled this week that the hospital should open with the staff numbers proposed by the HSE but that the situation should be reviewed within three to six months.