A round-up of today's other news in brief
Two motorcyclists die in crashes in Westmeath and Antrim
Two motorcyclists were killed in crashes at the weekend in Westmeath and Antrim. A 22-year-old man died yesterday when his motorcycle hit a wall at Cornmaddy, Athlone, Co Westmeath, at around 7pm. Gardaí said no one else was injured in the single-vehicle crash.
A man was killed in Antrim on Saturday night. The 46-year-old died when his motorcycle was in collision with a car shortly after 8pm on the Mayogall road to Portglenone.
FG tributes to Liam Coady
Fine Gael has paid tribute to Liam Coady, the official driver for party leader Enda Kenny since 2002, following his sudden death in London at the weekend.
Mr Coady (64), a former town councillor in Castlebar, was a lifelong friend of Mr Kenny and a familiar figure around Leinster House since taking up the position eight years ago.
Mr Coady is survived by his wife Kathleen and daughter Regina.
Aran air service celebrates 40th
The foresight of the people who campaigned for an air service between the three Aran Islands and the mainland was praised yesterday by Eamon Ó Cuív at a ceremony to mark the 40th anniversary of the opening of the first airport on the islands, writes John Fallon.
The Galway West TD and Minister for Social Protection said people were benefiting today from campaigning work carried out in the 1960s by islanders.
The first airport on the three islands opened in 1970 at Killeaney on Inis Mór, and further airports followed on the smaller islands, Inis Meáin and Inis Oirr.
A fare of £5 was charged on the first flights which flew from Aran to Galway Airport at Carnmore.
Hundreds of people attended the 40th anniversary celebrations on Inis Mór yesterday.
€750,000 for Irish groups abroad
Seven organisations will benefit from a €750,000 Government programme to assist Irish emigrants and Irish culture abroad, writes Harry McGee.
Details of the scheme – for Irish-based groups which assist emigrants or promote identity and rights of the Irish abroad – were announced by Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin yesterday.