A roundup of today's other news in brief
1,700 backlog at Equality Tribunal after rise in employment cases
A backlog of more than 1,700 cases has developed at the Equality Tribunal following a significant increase in employment equality cases, Minister for Equality Jimmy Deenihan has been told.
The average waiting time for the closure of an employment equality case here has risen to some three years, with cases referred to the tribunal in 2008 only being heard now.
Departmental briefing material prepared for Mr Deenihan on his appointment shows that employment equality cases now account for 84 per cent of referrals and that at the beginning of this year there were a total of 1,745 cases on hand at the tribunal.
Minister asks EC for flight subsidies
Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar has formally asked the European Commission to allow continued subsidies for flights from Kerry and Donegal airports to Dublin.
The Public Service Obligation subsidies for flights between Dublin and other regional airports are to be discontinued because of improved ground transport links.
The Government has told the EU the PSO routes to Kerry and Donegal were particularly important for tourism, as motorway access was poor and there is no rail access.
Book on minority children launched
White immigrant children who move to deprived areas in Ireland fare better than the native Irish children in the same areas, but black immigrant children fare worse, according to a book launched yesterday.
Prof Bryan Fanning of UCD said black children were experiencing racism and schools "seemed to view them less positively than white immigrants".
The Changing Face of Ireland: Exploring the Lives of Immigrant and Ethnic Minority Childrenwas launched by Ombudsman for Children Emily Logan.
Closure orders for five food outlets
Two Co Clare food businesses and a restaurant in Stoneybatter, Dublin, were among five outlets served with closure orders last month. Orders were served on the Green Chilli restaurant, Manor Street, Dublin; Woks Cooking takeaway, Parteen, Clare; Charlie Stewarts/Seasons 52 (excluding bar area), Ennis, Clare; CMS Catering at Clonskeagh House (excluding bar) and Polonez supermarket (meat and deli counter only), Blanchardstown.
Closure orders may be made where environmental health officers believe there is a danger to public health at the premises.
Court dispute over partner's will settled
A High Court dispute in which it was alleged a retired publican cut his partner of 25 years from his will and left everything to his son has been settled.
Bernard Smyth (80) had supplied a copy of his will to Bridget Lennon (60), leaving her the house they lived in together, but months later, unknown to her, he made a second will leaving everything to his son Michael Smyth, Ms Lennon had claimed.
Mr Smyth claimed his father had told him Ms Lennon was his housekeeper, while she claimed they lived together as man and wife since 1977.
Yesterday, as the case was about to go into its second day, Diarmuid O'Donovan SC, for Ms Lennon, told Mr Justice Roderick Murphy that the matter had been settled on terms within the pleadings and no further order was required. The judge welcomed the settlement.
Murder conviction appeal dismissed
The Court of Criminal Appeal has dismissed a man's appeal against his conviction for the murder of a young Cork man who was stabbed with knives and broken bottles.
Mr Justice Paul Carney jailed John Brett (27), Leitrim Street, Cork, for life in December 2008 after a jury at the Central Criminal Court convicted him of the murder of plasterer Brian McKee (24). Brett and a co-accused, Jason Quinlan (31), who was also found guilty of murder, had denied killing him.
The trial heard Mr McKee died as a result of multiple stab wounds from knives and broken bottles following an incident near his home at Ballinure Road, Mahon, on August 25th, 2007.
Yesterday the court, comprised of Chief Justice Mr Justice John Murray, with Mr Justice Declan Budd and Mr Justice Bryan McMahon, dismissed Brett's appeal.
Injunction blocks picketing of council
The High Court has granted an injunction preventing picketing by outdoor council workers in a dispute allegedly over the installation of GPS tracking devices in their vehicles.
Waterford City Council yesterday obtained orders restraining a number of workers, and any others with knowledge of the orders, watching or besetting the Menapia building, The Mall, Waterford, which houses the Waterford Crystal Visitors Centre and offices of other council workers.
The council said that although pickets were lifted just minutes before the application, it wanted the orders to prevent their return as they were having an impact on tourists and members of the public visiting the centre and the new glass factory across the road.
Mr Justice Roderick Murphy returned the matter to next week.
Contract ruling for consultant quashed
The High Court has quashed a Labour Court finding that a consultant employed at Cavan General Hospital for periods totalling more than four years under two temporary contracts was entitled to a permanent contract.
In an action with implications for the employment of consultants under temporary contracts, Mr Justice John Hedigan found the Labour Court erred in finding Dr Ali Umar was entitled to a contract of indefinite duration.
Dr Umar, who has since died, had argued he was entitled to a permanent contract as, by August 2008, he had had four years continuous employment with the HSE.