A round-up of today's Irish news stories in brief
Two sentenced for assault on friend
Two men who viciously assaulted a friend and threw a television at him have been given sentences of three years and 6½ years at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Derek O’Brien (27), Rosemount Estate, and Gary Murphy (24) Rosemount Park, both in Dundrum, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to Martin O’Dea (46) and criminal damage at Mr Murphy’s house in Churchtown in March 2008.
O’Brien pleaded guilty to a further charge of stealing a phone and money from a woman at the Beechwood Luas stop in January 2009, while on bail for the assault.
Judge Katherine Delahunt imposed a sentence of three years on Murphy and imposed consecutive sentences totalling 6½ years on O’Brien but suspended the final two years.
O’Brien has 41 previous convictions while Murphy has 23 previous convictions.
Tax case against musician dismissed
A case against one of the partners in the musical act Foster and Allen for not filing tax returns was dismissed in the Athlone District Court yesterday after a judge found he had been “led up the garden path” by his accountant.
The court heard that Tony Allen (60), Mount Temple, Moate, Co Westmeath, had paid “about €30,000 over the years” for the services of accountant and former barrister Paddy Russell.
Judge John Neilan said Mr Russell had sent Mr Allen a forged tax compliance letter headed “Revenue Commissioners”. The judge said: “I believe Mr Allen did all he could and any failings were Mr Russell’s.”
Mr Allen was in court for a fourth time since October 2008 after he failed to ensure his annual tax returns were filed for the four years from 2003 and 2007 and was facing a fine of up to €12,000.
EBS repossesses cottage in Dublin
The EBS Building Society has repossessed a Dublin cottage now worth less than the €180,000 debt owed on it. Solicitor Stephen Maher described the property as derelict and told county registrar Susan Ryan that it had been boarded up for a number of years.
He said the cottage at Arklow Street, Grangegorman, was owned by Francis Ryan, whom the society had difficulty finding but who was living in Maynooth Park, Co Kildare.
Mr Maher told the County Registrar’s Court that Ryan had defaulted on payments over the last seven years and there was now an arrears of €68,899. Ryan owed the EBS €179,085 on the mortgage he had taken out in March 1998.
Ms Ryan granted the EBS an order for possession and costs.
Pipe bombs discovered in vacant house following Garda sweep
Nine viable pipe bombs were discovered in a shed at the back of a vacant house in Swords, Co Dublin, yesterday following a Garda search of the premises in the Bunbury Gate estate, writes . A number of houses in the area were evacuated following the discovery of the devices by gardaí from Swords at about 11am. The bombs were disarmed at the scene although no controlled explosion was carried out. The scene was declared safe at 4.30pm. Members of the public who were evacuated from their homes earlier in the day were allowed to return to their homes in the evening. No arrests have so far been made.
Nesbitt named as chancellor
Northern Ireland actor James Nesbitt is to become the new chancellor of the University of Ulster, the college has announced. The 45-year-old father of two will succeed former London lord mayor Sir Richard Nichols, who is standing down after eight years in the post.
Nesbitt, who is in Belgrade shooting a film version of Shakespeare’s Coriolanus directed by and starring Ralph Fiennes, said he was deeply honoured by the appointment.
“As a native of Coleraine I know how much the university contributes to the community there and its unwavering commitment to my hometown,” he said.
Industrial relations protocol agreed
Employers’ group Ibec and the Irish Congress of Trade Unions have agreed a protocol to govern industrial relations in the private sector, it was announced yesterday.
The protocol will guide the State’s industrial relations institutions in how to process claims in the absence of a national pay agreement.
Ibec director of industrial relations and human resource services Brendan McGinty said, “the objective is to maintain industrial peace and protect. . . jobs”.
Meanwhile, talks have been held between the Government and public sector trade unions as the sides seek to determine if reforms proposed late last year can be developed.
Warning on kitchen hygiene standards
Just one person in seven is following correct hygiene practices in the kitchen and thereby minimising the risk of food poisoning, according to new research, writes Paul Cullen. Some 84 per cent of people do not thoroughly wash their hands after handling raw chicken, while 72 per cent fail to wash thoroughly the knife they used to prepare raw chicken before reusing it on salad or vegetables, the research carried out by Safefood shows.
Women's group centenary stamp
The Irish Countrywomen's Association received the stamp of approval yesterday after 100 years in existence, writes Fiona Gartland.
An Post has marked the organisation's centenary with a commemorative stamp.
Designed by Irishman John Conway, the 55c stamp features colourful silhouettes of women taking part in activities such as painting, golfing and baking.
The ICA, known originally as the Society of United Irishwomen, was started in Bree, Co Wexford, in 1910. Its aim was "to improve the standard of life in rural Ireland through education and co-operative effort".
The ICA is now the largest women's organisation in Ireland, with more than 15,000 members linked to local guilds in towns and villages, as well as several city-based guilds.
It promotes Irish language and culture and encourages support and friendship between members through involvement in activities such as sport, drama, arts and crafts.