A round-up of today's other stories in brief...
€366,000 for ESB worker after accident
An ESB network technician who sustained serious injuries when he was left suspended 25ft above the ground after slipping on an ESB pole on which he was working was awarded €366,000 damages yesterday by the High Court.
Mr Justice John Quirke made the award to Thomas McKenna (39), Legnacrieve, Castelshane, Co Monaghan, against the ESB as a result of the accident on May 28th, 1998.
Mr McKenna was on an ESB pole in a field at Doohamlet and was moving a 7ft cross-arm from another ESB pole when he slipped and lost his footing and fell as the steel cross arm became caught in his glove.
It was claimed he was pulled around by the steel arm suddenly and violently as he fell downwards and came to a sudden halt about 25ft from the ground. Mr McKenna said he was left suspended with his left ankle above his head.
The ESB had denied the claims.
In his decision, Mr Justice Quirke said Mr McKenna was a credible witness and had told the court he was shaken beyond belief after the incident. As a result of the fall, his spine had been jerked violently and his life was "greatly and adversely" affected for several years until he had surgery.
Firm to challenge EU aid plan
The High Court will hear on May 1st a challenge by the Greencore food manufacturing group to a Government decision on how €145.5 million in EU sugar industry restructuring aid is to be allocated.
Mr Justice Peter Kelly yesterday made directions for the exchange of legal submissions in the action, and set April 17th as the date for receipt of final submissions. He said the case would be heard on May 1st.
The Greencore group began proceedings against the Government last July. It alleges unlawful interference and objective bias by the Government in directing how the company should allocate €145.5 million in EU restructuring aid following the rationalisation of the European sugar industry and Greencore's withdrawal from sugar production here.
Robber to choose between fine or jail
A father of 10 has been given a choice by Judge Donagh McDonagh of paying €2,000 to a 99-year-old woman he robbed or face three years in jail.
Michael Connors (56), with an address at Grove Park, Rathmines, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to robbery in Rathgar on June 11th, 2006.
Garda Dylan Brady told Paul Carroll, prosecuting, that the victim had just returned from Mass when Connors grabbed her bag from behind as she opened the gate to her house.
Supreme Court to hear IRA case
A five-judge Supreme Court is to hear a legal challenge by a Dundalk man charged with IRA membership to the jurisdiction of the Special Criminal Court.
Barry O'Brien (34), of Mountain Court, Dundalk, Co Louth, was charged in April 2004 with membership of an unlawful organisation on April 6th, 2004.
Yesterday his counsel, Ivana Bacik, told the Special Criminal Court a judicial review had been taken in the High Court and was under appeal to the Supreme Court.