A roundup of today's other home news in brief
Homeowners face wait on actions
Hundreds of homeowners in north Dublin face a long wait before their legal actions over defects in their houses will be heard after a High Court ruling yesterday.
Mr Justice Paul Gilligan said he was acutely conscious of and sympathised with the position of the 400 homeowners. However, he ruled yesterday that it would be inappropriate and unjust for some of their cases to proceed before the court battle between Menolly Homes and companies in the Lagan group over liability for the defects has concluded.
Menolly has sued the Lagan companies, alleging cracks and swelling in hundreds of houses on three estates in north Dublin built by Menolly were caused by defective pyrite infill.
The action is by Menolly Homes against Irish Asphalt Limited (IAL) and several companies in the Lagan group and arises from defects in houses in the Drynam, Myrtle and Beaupark estates. Lagan has denied liability.
Stolen-van driver faces 25-year ban
A Dublin man who caused a three-vehicle pile-up in a van stolen from his partner’s father will be disqualified from driving for 25 years on his next court date.
Judge Tony Hunt said Noel Monks (31) has no right to be on the road, considering he’d been disqualified from driving at the time of the offence in 2007.
The judge told Thomas Pearse, defending, that he intended to release Monks, who is currently serving two years for assault, on the next court date, and suspend the balance of his latest sentence if the probation and welfare report came back positive.
Cork-Swansea ferry service postponed
A new ferry service between Cork and Swansea, which was due to begin on Monday, has been postponed for a week.
Operating company Fastnet Line said the delay is due to technical difficulties. Passengers affected by the cancellations will be offered a 50 per cent discount when they book again with the company.
The ferry service, which was axed three years ago, is set to make a comeback with the new €7.8 million Finnish vessel MV Julia, which will sail the route.
West Cork Tourism began its campaign in January 2009 to raise funds to get the Swansea Cork route back up and running.
Bublé hits 90,000 ticket sales for shows
Singer Michael Bublé has sold 90,000 tickets for his Aviva stadium concerts in September.
A first concert on a Friday sold out in 10 minutes and a Saturday date was added.
He will be the first artist to play at the new stadium at Lansdowne Road, Dublin.
Lack of guidelines on abortion criticised
Labour Party members have marked the 18th anniversary of the X-case ruling and highlighted the lack of “clear legal guidelines” on abortion.
Calling it a landmark judgment, the party’s equality and youth section held a panel discussion last night at Trinity College.
Labour women chairwoman Katherine Dunne said the event was being held “to remind us all that after 18 years, the country is still waiting for legal guidelines which could allow women access life-saving abortions.
“Without clear guidelines on what constitutes a grave risk to life or indeed any clarification on when abortion is legal, doctors are acting in the dark. They have no idea when they can intervene to save a woman’s life.”