A round-up of today's other stories in brief
Four Star Pizza survival scheme gains approval in High Court
The High Court has approved a survival scheme for the Four Star Pizza takeaway chain. Mr Justice Brian McGovern was told yesterday that Gonville Ltd had agreed to invest €500,000 in Four Star’s parent company, Zowington, while its largest creditor, National Irish Bank (NIB) had issued a facility letter to refinance a debt of €4.65 million.
Gonville is an investment firm of Michael Holland, who also owns the Fitzwilliam Hotel in Dublin, the court heard. His firm has bought the Irish and UK franchise rights of the pizza chain and half of its investment will go directly into Four Star Pizza Ltd, the court was told.
The scheme had the approval of most creditors, including the Revenue Commissioners, it was stated.
Rossa Fanning, for examiner Neil Hughes, said the examiner believed there was a reasonable prospect of survival for the firm. In a statement later yesterday, Gonville said Four Star’s future was now secured and it aimed to double the number of stores in Ireland over three years.
Warrant for arrest of actor issued
A warrant has been issued for the arrest of a man after he failed to appear at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for an arraignment hearing.
Actor Marcus Valentine (43), previously of Windmill Lane Apartments, Windmill Lane, Dublin, but currently working in the United States, faces charges of assault causing harm to Zicheng Yu and criminal damage at Pearse Street on September 11th, 2009. He was due before Judge Tony Hunt yesterday to indicate whether he intended to plead guilty or elect for trial.
Michael Bowman, defending, told Judge Hunt his client was not there because he was working in the US.
Judge Hunt issued a warrant for Mr Valentine's arrest after he was requested to do so by Patrick Geraghty from the Chief State Solicitor's Office, but indicated if it was "executed by arrangement", the investigating garda could use his "discretion".
Two admit violent disorder, menaces
Two Limerick men, who were arrested along with six others following a Garda investigation into extortion, have pleaded guilty at the Special Criminal Court to offences including violent disorder and demanding money with menaces.
Patrick Pickford (31), Talbot Avenue, Prospect, pleaded guilty to demanding money with menaces from Mark Heffernan jnr at John Carew Park, Limerick, in 2008. He was remanded in custody for sentencing on March 16th.
Christopher McCormack (28), McNamara Terrace, Wolfe Tone Street, pleaded guilty to committing violent disorder at Sarsfield Avenue, Garryowen in February 2010.
Kerryman accused of raping tourist
A Kerry man has gone on trial at the Central Criminal Court accused of raping an Australian tourist. He has pleaded not guilty to rape and four counts of sexual assault in Kerry on July 8th, 2009.
Pauline Walley SC, prosecuting, said it was her case that the accused met the woman in a pub where she was drinking and listening to Irish music and walked her back to her hostel.
Ms Walley said there would be evidence that the woman was pinned down, raped and sexually assaulted. She was able to flee and hail a taxi driver, who will later testify.
The woman and other witnesses will be giving evidence via video link from Australia.