A round-up of today's other news in brief
Three arrested, arms seized in Donegal
Three men aged between 18 and 22 were arrested yesterday in the Bunbeg area of Co Donegal in connection with inquiries into robberies in the west of the county.
During the arrests gardaí recovered a shotgun and a pistol. This brings to 10 the weapons seized in the county over the weekend. Two men were being detained at Milford Garda station and one at Letterkenny station under the Offences Against the State Act.
Eight guns and two pipe bombs were found on Saturday in one of two cars seized in the Carrigans area of the county, close to the border with Co Derry. Gardaí who made the seizure believe they may have struck a blow against a gang suspected of cross-Border links.
Offaly athlete dies in Barcelona race
A 27-year-old Co Offaly man collapsed and died yesterday while participating in the Barcelona marathon.
Colin Dunne is thought to have suffered a heart attack after completing 21 miles of the 26-mile race. Paramedics spent 55 minutes trying to revive him but he was pronounced dead when he arrived at hospital.
A spokeswoman for the Department of Foreign Affairs said consular assistance was being provided to Mr Dunne’s family.
Independents to establish charter
Independent politicians throughout the State are to draw up a charter and develop a system of information exchange, following a meeting in Athlone on Saturday.
The meeting was organised by MEP Marian Harkin, who represents the North-West, and Kathy Sinnott, who represents the South.
Speakers at the conference criticised the manner in which Irish society had deteriorated.
“There has to be a change to the excessive respect given to bankers and developers, rather than to the real heroes like the St Vincent de Paul . . . volunteers who increasingly fill in for the deficiencies of government in the decades ahead,” said Ms Harkin.
Ms Sinnnott said that cutbacks should not damage the weak and the poor.
Dublin North Central TD Finian McGrath called for more coverage of Independents by the national media, especially RTÉ.
Dead mountain climber named
The mountain climber who died last week on the MacGillycuddy Reeks in Co Kerry has been named by gardaí as John McHale (41), Newport, Co Mayo.
His body was found by a mountain rescue team near the Hag’s Glen area of Carrauntoohil at around 10am on Saturday.
Two remanded in custody
Two men in their 20s have been remanded in custody after a Garda station had to be evacuated following the discovery of a pipe-bomb.
Mill Street Garda station in Galway had to be evacuated for several hours on Friday evening following the discovery of the device.
Mark Phelan (23), of Castle Park, Ballybane, Galway, and Glen Walsh (26), of Bonogue, Clondalkin, Dublin, appeared before a special sitting of Galway District Court on Saturday night and were remanded in custody to appear before Harristown District Court next Friday. They face charges relating to possession of a pipebomb and rifle.
Conservationist honoured
A memorial to a Dublin historian and conservationist who died nine years ago was unveiled near her home in Ranelagh at the weekend, writes Fiona Gartland.
Deirdre Kelly, who campaigned throughout her life for the preservation of the capital’s communities, was commemorated by Dublin City Council with a replica of her bicycle and basket, set underground at the Ranelagh Triangle.