A round-up of today's other stories in brief...
Four food businesses closed down
Four Irish food businesses were closed down by the health authorities for breaches of food safety regulations during February, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland said yesterday,
writes Seán Mac Connell.
Closure orders were served on the Lucky Palace restaurant, James Fintan Lalor Avenue, Portlaoise; Row Inn Row Chinese Restaurant, Count John’s, The Bawn, Athlone; Friar Tucks takeaway, Main Street, Killadysert, Co Clare, and on premises occupied by Amin Akhaler, Clanbrassil Street Lower, Dublin.
Transport change for schoolchildren
Primary children who live less than two miles from their school should lose their eligibility to free school transport , according to a new review, writes Seán Flynn.
It also proposes the abolition of services catering for less than 10 schoolchildren.
The recommendations are made in the report of the Value for Money Review of the School Transport Scheme, published yesterday.
Existing transport arrangements will remain in place for existing primary pupils for the duration of their schooling.
1916 relatives to meet Kenny
Relatives of the signatories of the 1916 Proclamation are to meet incoming taoiseach Enda Kenny to discuss plans for the future of the national monument at Moore Street and 1916 Rising celebrations.
A delegation of the relatives yesterday met a spokesman from the Department of the Taoiseach and director of the National Museum Dr Pat Wallace. An assurance was given by the department that a meeting with Mr Kenny would be scheduled.
Ex-local election candidate fined
A former local election candidate who shot two people with a pellet gun 10 years ago has been fined €2,000 at Trim Circuit Court.
James Carey (28), Preston Hill, Stamullen, Co Meath, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to Oisín Maher, an ex-classmate of his, and Frances Fitzpatrick, and to the reckless discharge of a firearm on February 11th, 2001, at Gormanston, Co Meath.
Neither victim was badly injured. One had a small cut, while the other suffered bruising.
Carey was arrested two days later and admitted the offence, but later went to study in the UK. A warrant for his arrest was issued in 2002. He said he had later gone to gardaí and been told the warrant could not be found.