Today's other news in brief...
Drowned man was planning to return home
A young Irishman who drowned in Canada two days ago had planned to return home to Co Louth next week. Páraic McKeown got into difficulties while swimming in Lake Ontario on Tuesday.
The 20-year-old had been camping with a group of friends at Hanlan’s Point, close to the lake. He had gone swimming with two friends at about 8am and failed to resurface.
Emergency services were called to the scene and Toronto’s marine police recovered his body. He was taken to St Michael’s Hospital in Toronto where he was pronounced dead.
The Irish Embassy in Toronto is arranging for the return of the body to Ireland.
Sex assault case adjourned
Gardaí have been given extra time to prepare their case for the prosecution of a man (48) accused of 31 counts of sexual assault on his daughter when she was aged from 12 to 14.
In a 30-second hearing at Sligo District Court yesterday, Judge Conal Gibbons adjourned the case to Donegal District Court on October 7th. The man was remanded on continuing bail.
The judge said he was extending time for the service of the book of evidence, which must be prepared for a Circuit Court trial.
The defendant cannot be identified at this stage to protect the girl’s identity.
Boy charged with cocaine dealing
A 14-year-old boy arrested for cocaine dealing at his local shopping centre has been remanded on bail at the Dublin Children’s Court. The west Dublin teenager had been arrested outside shops and brought to Ronanstown Garda station, on April 30th last.
Judge Elizabeth MacGrath heard that the boy made no reply when he was charged.
Directions in the case recommended it was suitable for “summary disposal”, meaning to stay in the Children’s Court’s jurisdiction. Judge MacGrath remanded the boy to appear again next month when a plea is to be entered.
Noted agricultural adviser dies
The death has taken place in Athlone, Co Westmeath, of Frank Young, one of Ireland’s best-known agricultural advisers and one of the midlands’ best-known farm radio presenters.
An expert in sheep production, he worked for many years as an adviser in the south Roscommon area.
He was also deeply involved in GAA activities in his native Co Westmeath and with a large number of voluntary organisations.
He is survived by his wife, Emily.
Following Mass at 12pm today in St Mary’s Church, Athlone, he will be buried in Coosan cemetery.
Police dog finds missing man (80)
A police dog has found an 80-year-old missing man who was suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.
The man went missing from his home near Newtownbutler, Co Fermanagh, on Friday evening.
Police on foot including Constable Keith McCabe with his dog mounted a search of the area. The pensioner was located at about midnight on Friday by the dog and was taken to hospital to be treated for mild hypothermia.