A round-up of today's other stories in brief
12-year jail term over heroin worth 1.6m
A man has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for possession of heroin worth almost €1.6 million.
Francis Sinclair (40), of Kilclare Gardens, Tallaght, pleaded guilty to possession of heroin for sale or supply at two properties in Tallaght on February 9th, 2010.
Judge Donagh McDonagh suspended the last four years of his sentence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Garda Barry O’Mahony of Tallaght Garda station told Garnet Orange, prosecuting, that gardaí targeted two houses in the Kilclare estate.
Garda O’Mahony said one of the properties was occupied by Sinclair and one by his co-accused, his nephew Martin Doyle, who is to be sentenced in April.
Judge McDonagh said although Sinclair said he was storing drugs for someone else, he believed he was “just as guilty” as he was “part of the distribution chain”.
Economist alleges report flawed
A senior economist in the Central Bank has told the High Court he was put on long-term sick leave after his employers allegedly improperly influenced a psychiatrist who deemed him unfit for work due to a personality disorder.
John Delaney (48) claims this conclusion was “fundamentally flawed” and another psychiatrist who examined him had concluded he did not suffer from any disorder.
In proceedings against the bank, he claims, as a result of his effective suspension in July 2008 on foot of the first psychiatric report, he is receiving pension payments substantially less than his previous annual income of €108,000.
Mr Delaney, the court heard, was recruited by the bank and performed an important role in making returns for Ireland to the ECB. The case continues.
€25m trust fund for Menolly homes
The long-running court battle involving north Dublin homeowners who were seeking the repair of their Menolly Homes properties was adjourned yesterday to allow for the establishment of a €25.5 million trust fund, writes FIONA GARTLAND.
The settlement includes €1.6 million-plus for legal fees. Menolly Homes, owned by developer Seamus Ross, had been fighting with the Lagan group of companies over who was responsible for defects in 550 homes at Drynam Hall, Myrtle and Beaupark estates.
They reached a settlement after more than 150 days of hearings. Mr Justice Paul Gilligan adjourned the case to March 3rd, saying he would make final orders then.
Bail for man held on arms charge
A Co Galway man arrested during Garda investigations into dissident terrorist activity was freed on bail by the Special Criminal Court in Dublin yesterday.
Thomas Hughes (40), of An Tuairin, Dublin Road, Tuam, was charged last month with possession of an explosive substance at One Hundred Acres, Monivea, Co Galway, on January 24th. He was also charged with possession of a revolver and 62 rounds of ammunition.
Yesterday the court freed him on his own bond of €20,000, ordered him to sign on three times a week at Tuam Garda station, to surrender his passport and not to associate with anyone convicted of or charged with a scheduled offence.
Last week his co-accused Thomas Coffey (47), One Hundred Acres, Monivea, was freed on bail.
Both have been remanded until April 8th next.