A round-up of today's other stories in brief
Laura Ashley criticised over statutory redundancy package
British fashion and homewares company Laura Ashley was strongly criticised yesterday for its treatment of Irish staff it is proposing to make redundant.
Mandate trade union official Dave Moran said the firm’s refusal to pay more than two weeks’ statutory redundancy to 22 staff at its Grafton Street store and its unwillingness to engage with the Labour Relations Commission was “like something going back to Dickensian times”.
Laura Ashley made half-year profits of €10.5 million (€11.8 million) in the year to July, and its turnover increased by 5.7 per cent to £135.1 million.
Death of press photographer
Northern Ireland will “greatly miss” the award-winning photographer John Harrison who captured “almost every seminal and important moment” in the North’s recent history, political leaders have said.
He is survived by his wife Mandy and three children, Peter, Thomas and Catherine.
FOI requests up 13% on 2008
A total of 14,290 requests were made under the Freedom of Information Act in 2009, with 77 per cent of these being granted "either in full or in part", according to a Government report.Minister of State at the Department of Finance Dr Martin Mansergh noted a 13 per cent increase in FOI requests compared with 2008.
Belfast college to cut 100 staff
Belfast Metropolitan College announced yesterday it will be making more than 100 people redundant within the next 18 months. The college has entered into a 90-day consultation period and is planning to implement mostly voluntary redundancies. The college employs more than 1,000 staff.
'Play early' is advice as Lotto heads for €16m
Tonight’s Lotto jackpot is heading for €16 million, potentially making it the fourth largest single win in the history of the game.
It’s the 16th draw in this rollover sequence. The jackpot was last won on September 1st. The National Lottery is advising people to play early. Over 2,400 plays a minute are expected to be bought in the peak buying periods. “As usual, we expect most players to purchase their lucky tickets on the day of the draw, so we encourage everyone not to leave it too close to the close of sales when Lotto agents will be at their busiest,” said a spokeswoman.
Road collision death on way to wedding
A 64-year-old man was killed yesterday on his way to his cousin's wedding.
The man was the driver of a car which crashed into another vehicle on the Donegal town bypass just after 4pm.
The deceased, from Co Limerick, was yet to be named by the Garda last night. A passenger in his car and two people in the other car were taken to Letterkenny General Hospital but their injuries are not thought to be serious.
The man was travelling to Harvey's Point Hotel outside Donegal town for the wedding.
Three get total of 21 years for assault
Three men who attacked three other men causing them serious injuries were sentenced yesterday to a total of 21 years in prison.
At the Circuit Criminal Court in Castlebar, Judge Anthony Hunt sentenced James Paul Sweeney, Glendallon, Ballytivnan, Sligo to seven years for violent disorder and assault causing harm to Jonathan O'Malley and Patrick Lydon at Neale Road, Ballinrobe, Co Mayo, on August 16th, 2009.
Edward Sweeney, Glendallon, Sligo, was sentenced to eight years for causing serious harm to John Francis Reddington at New Street, Ballinrobe and assault causing harm to Jonathan O'Malley and Patrick Lydon. Patrick Sweeney, Bog Road, Ballinrobe, received six years for violent disorder and assault causing harm.
Suspended jail term over assault
A student who fractured the nose and tooth of his ex-girlfriend's boyfriend has received a three-year suspended sentence.
Alex O'Mahony "saw red" when he witnessed former girlfriend Imogen Ryan kiss Mark Russell. O'Mahony (22), Stradbrook Hall, Blackrock, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assaulting Mr Russell on November 13th, 2008.
Pieter Le Vert, defending, submitted to Judge Desmond Hogan his client had €5,000 as compensation for the victim. The judge ordered O'Mahony to carry out 240 hours of community service.
Concern about children's hospital
The Dáil's public accounts committee has been asked to inquire into the process whereby the Mater hospital on Dublin's northside was chosen as the site for the new National Paediatric Hospital, writes Deaglán de Bréadún.
A joint letter from the New Children's Hospital Alliance, Jack and Jill Foundation, Down Syndrome Ireland, Inclusion Ireland and the Neurofibromatosis Association asks the PAC to "examine the entire site selection process urgently to ensure that the taxpayers' interests are adequately protected in this major infrastructural project".
Young farmers flock to Wicklow
More than 1,600 members of the young farmers' organisation Macra na Feirme will attend the organisation's annual conference and rally this weekend in Co Wicklow.
Young people from clubs in virtually every parish in the country will join delegates from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland for the event at the Arklow Bay Hotel, Arklow.