A round-up of today's other stories in brief...
Boy knocked off bicycle by reversing car awarded €87,000
A young boy who was knocked off his bicycle by a neighbour reversing her car out of her driveway has been awarded €87,000 damages at the High Court.
Cian Ryan (6), has been left with a limp and suffers recurring nightmares over the accident outside the home of his neighbour, Kishwar Shafqat, Foxborough Grove, Lucan, Dublin, on April 21st, 2009, the court heard.
Through his father Eric, Cian had brought proceedings against Ms Shafqat alleging negligence, including failure to keep a proper lookout. Liability was admitted and the case was before the court for assessment of damages.
The president of the High Court, Mr Justice Nicholas Kearns said he would award €87,000 damages. The judge, after hearing Cian was a Manchester United supporter, ordered a €1,000 payment out of the award to allow the child and his parents to attend an Old Trafford match.
Solicitor subject to extortion, court told
A solicitor accused of involvement in a multimillion-pound property fraud was subjected to years of extortion, the Belfast High Court heard yesterday.
Ho Ling Mo, who allegedly helped organise sham marriages, was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder due to the severity of assaults inflicted on her, according to her lawyer.
Ms Mo (39), of Oakwood Park, Belfast, is charged with acquiring, converting and transferring criminal property, among other offences. She denies the offences. She was refused bail by Lord Chief Justice Sir Declan Morgan, who noted allegations that she has dissipated more than £200,000 in assets.
Eason HR manager settles his action
The group human resources manager with well-known bookseller Eason has settled his High Court action against his employers.
Terry Duggan (60), of Foxrock Avenue, Foxrock, Co Dublin, earlier this month secured an interim High Court order restraining the company from removing him from his post or appointing someone to a differently named position which he alleged involved the same duties as his. Yesterday, Mr Justice John MacMenamin was informed by Peter Ward, for Mr Duggan, that the matter had been settled. No details were revealed in open court.
Rape trial collapses due to legal issue
The trial of a Tipperary man accused of raping and sexually assaulting his niece has collapsed at the Central Criminal Court due to a legal issue.
The man had pleaded not guilty to two counts of rape and four counts of sexual assault of the woman between January 1997 and June 2001.
Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan thanked the eight women and four men of the jury and told them their service on this case was over.
He put the matter back to next Monday before Mr Justice Paul Carney to fix a new trial date.