A round-up of today's other Irish news stories in brief
Building firm loses challenge to €3m VAT bill
A building company alleged by the Revenue Commissioners to have entered licence agreements with an auctioneering firm as a "device" to avoid VAT liabilities has lost a High Court challenge to a Revenue notice assessing it as liable for more than €3 million in VAT.
Mr Justice Iarfhlaith O'Neill ruled the notice of assessment of VAT for €3,085,021 raised by the Revenue against Viera Ltd in December 2006 is valid.
The case arose after the Revenue in 2004 noted discrepancies between sales figures reported in the company's financial statements and the total annual gross sales figures returned by it for VAT purposes.
Suspended term for assault
A dentistry student with no previous convictions has been given a six-month suspended sentence by Judge Patricia Ryan at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for assaulting another young student.
Morgan Roche (29), Station Road, Sutton, had not slept in days due to final exam stress and had taken Prozac and alcohol when he punched the 22-year-old DCU student at a bar on Dame Street in March 2008. Roche pleaded guilty.
Judge Ryan said she had taken into account the fact that, although the victim had been left with a visible scar, he did not want Roche to go to prison. She also took into consideration that the offence was "completely out of character" for Roche, and the effect a conviction would have on his future.
10 years in jail for 1997 fatal stabbing
A man who fatally stabbed a young man in Co Kerry 12 years ago has been jailed for 10 years. Robert Anthony (61) from England but formerly of Kenmare, pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Philip O'Sullivan (19) at his home on August 22nd, 1997.
The Central Criminal Court was told that on the day of the killing, Anthony, his then girlfriend and Mr O'Sullivan had been in bars in the Kenmare area. Later, Mr O'Sullivan arrived at Anthony's home and let himself in through the back.
Anthony found Mr O'Sullivan and his girlfriend talking in the kitchen. Anthony asked Mr O'Sullivan to leave and when he refused, he reached for a knife and threatened him. A scuffle broke out during which Anthony stabbed the victim once in the groin area.
Probation for drugs possession
A busker who took cannabis to relieve the pain of imaginary arthritis has been placed on a one-year probation bond for possession of €42,000 worth of the drug.
According to his psychiatrist, Gerard Reid (33) also believes he can read minds and heal people.
Gardaí observed Reid, South Circular Road, Dublin, carry a sack containing 6kg of cannabis to his house. He pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of the drugs for sale or supply in October 2007.
Repossession of €2m home sought
Irish Nationwide Building Society is seeking to recover the €2 million home of car dealer Richard Mockler at Saggart, Co Dublin.
Mr Mockler and his wife Jeanette, had taken out a mortgage for €2 million on their home. Court documents show arrears of €100,000.
The repossession application for the house on Tassagard Drive appeared in the list of the county registrar yesterday, when the building society's barrister Anne Lawlor was granted an adjournment until November 11th, on the basis of settlement talks.
Arranmore stabbing victim buried
About 1,000 mourners yesterday attended the funeral of Paul Boyle (19), who was killed in a stabbing incident on Arranmore island, Co Donegal, on Saturday.
In his homily, Fr John Joe Duffy said: "As a community we are totally at sea and lost for words. Our whole world has been turned upside down in these last few days. None of us should be attending the funeral of a 19-year-old man."
Those present heard that Mr Boyle was a young man who was to be trusted, who would never let anyone down.
Burial took place at the island graveyard.
Overcharged Setanta clients to get refunds
Broadcaster Setanta Sports has promised to provide refunds for any customers who were overcharged as a result of what it called a "typo" by its bank, writes Paul Cullen.
Callers contacted RTÉ's Livelineprogramme yesterday to say they had been billed by an entity called "Setenta" in addition to debits by Setanta. They also complained that they were unable to unsubscribe from Setanta's services and stop the outflow of payments in spite of repeated efforts to contact the company.
Last night Setanta said the payments to "Setenta" occurred as a result of a "typo" by one of its Irish banks. Customer acquisitions director Brian Quinn said the bank had confirmed that it has misspelt the name of the company.
Call for permanent Liberty Hall exhibit
Over 5,000 people have backed an online campaign which is seeking to turn a temporary art installation into a permanent exhibit, writes Charlie Taylor
The iconic Liberty Hall building in Dublin was transformed into a giant 50-metre television screen over the past two weeks as part of the Ulster Bank Dublin Theatre Festival.
Some 100,000 low-energy LED lights were installed into 330 windows enabling it to display a series of images created by members of the public. The Playhouse installation has proven to be a big hit since it went live on September 24th.
An online campaign is calling on the trade union Siptu, which owns Liberty Hall, to allow the installation to remain in place once the theatre festival closes.
Fionn Kidney, who set up the campaign, told The Irish Timesthat he was hopeful that Siptu and Daft.ie, the sponsors of the installation, would back its proposals.
"Projects like Playhouse provide a visual focal point that not only allows people to unite and be proud of their city, but to fall in love with it all over again," he said .
The future of Liberty Hall remains unclear with Siptu expected to announce its plans for the building shortly.
Motorcyclist killed in Co Fermanagh
A MOTORCYCLIST has died following a road crash in Co Fermanagh yesterday afternoon.
The man has been named by police as 20-year-old Ryan Parker of Mullynagowan, Newtownbutler, Co Fermanagh.
He was fatally injured when his motorbike left the Concession Road in Newtownbutler at about 4.45pm. No other vehicle was involved.
Police have appealed for witnesses who saw the black Suzuki motorbike travelling from Clones towards Newtownbutler to contact them.
Prisoner dies in Portlaoise
A PRISONER from Portlaoise Prison has died after he was brought to Portlaoise Hospital yesterday evening.
It is understood that the man approached a prison guard complaining of chest pains yesterday afternoon. He was transferred to Portlaoise prison where he died at around 5.30pm.
A spokesperson for the Irish Prison Service confirmed the man's death, adding that an investigation would be carried out, as is protocol.