More news in brief.
Diagnostic autism centre opens in Dublin
Ireland's first dedicated diagnostic and assessment centre for children and families affected by autism was officially opened in Dublin yesterday.
It is hoped that the Solas centre in Clontarf will reduce waiting times for diagnosis from 12 months to three months.
Almost 2,000 children and their families were waiting for a consultation before the centre's opening, which will have helped in the diagnosis of 82 children by April 30th.
Cormac Rennick, chairman of Irish Autism Action, said the centre would have an immediate positive impact on the lives of children and their families.
The centre was opened by Keith Duffy and Danuta Gray, chief executive of O2.
Consultant adverts 'consistent'
The Medical Council yesterday rejected claims by the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) that advertisements placed for consultant posts are different to previous advertisements.
In a statement released yesterday, Dr John Hillery, president of the Medical Council, said the training requirements stated in advertisements for consultant posts were "consistent with requirements advertised over the last few years".
Dr Hillery was responding to an RCSI statement that queried the level of requirements sought. "The decision to advertise new hospital consultant posts in the absence of an agreed contract of employment and without the specification of training accreditation has created a situation that has placed our surgical trainees in a difficult position," the RCSI statement read.
Gardaí seek help to locate man (58)
Gardaí are appealing for assistance to help locate a British national who has been missing since last Saturday.
Thomas Thompson (58) commutes between Portlaoise and England and last made contact with his family by phone on April 21st. Gardaí from Portlaoise called to his home on Borris Road yesterday and had the area examined by a Garda technical team.
Mr Thompson drives a blue Renault van, registration number 06-LS-2453. Gardaí are appealing for anyone who has seen the van or who has any information on his whereabouts to contact them at 057-8674100 or at any Garda station.
Gardaí arrest two men over double killing
Two men have been arrested in connection with the murders of Martin "Marlo" Hyland and plumber Anthony Campbell in Dublin last year.
They were shot dead on December 12th as Hyland (39) slept in the home of a relative in Scribblestown Park, Finglas. Mr Campbell (20), an apprentice plumber from St Michan's flats, Dublin, had been working in the house at the time.
Gardaí investigating the killings arrested two men, aged 26 and 40, in Finglas yesterday morning.