Today's other stories in brief
Swine flu cases likely to increase
The number of swine flu cases confirmed in the State is likely to continue to increase gradually because of the level of travel between Ireland and other infected nations, the Department of Health's chief medical officer has said, writes Steven Carroll.
Dr Tony Holohan said that seven cases of the H1N1 virus have so far been detected in Ireland, and that six of those seven related to people who had travelled to the United States.
“What I think we can reasonably expect to see over the next number of weeks is a continuation of this number of cases,” he said.
“If you just think about the extent of travel there is between this country and other countries where they have experienced sustained community transmission, particularly the United States, we would expect to see cases occurring . . . at the frequency we have seen in the last week or so.”
More charges likely over death
More charges are expected over the death of a 29-year-old garda who died two weeks after he was struck by a stolen car.
Garda Robert McCallion of Park Road, Swinford, Co Mayo, died on April 7th at Beaumont Hospital, almost two weeks after he was hit by a reversing stolen car at Tara Court, Letterkenny, Co Donegal, on March 26th.
He had been responding to calls in a housing estate.
A postmortem by State Pathologist Prof Marie Cassidy found that Garda McCallion died of head injuries, an inquest heard yesterday.
Supt Vincent O’Brien told the inquest that a man had been charged with dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm to Garda McCallion and other charges were expected.
He applied for an adjournment, which coroner Dr Brian Farrell granted.
The coroner expressed his condolences to Garda McCallion’s parents, Bob and Nancy, who were visibly upset at the hearing, and to his brother John at the tragic loss of their son and brother. Garda McCallion was a member of the force for just three years at the time of his death.
Jamie McGrenaghan (18), of Gortnacraw, Kerrykeel, was charged with dangerous driving causing serious harm at Tara Court, Letterkenny.
He is also charged with unlawfully taking a car. Another youth, aged 19, is also charged with unlawfully taking a car.
Coroner adjourns Dublin inquest
An inquest into the fatal stabbing of a mother of four was opened at the Dublin City Coroner’s Court yesterday and adjourned until the completion of the criminal trial.
Joan Vickers (43), of Shemalier Road East, East Wall, Dublin, was rushed to the Mater hospital on the morning of April 20th last.
A postmortem by State Pathologist Prof Marie Cassidy found she died from a stab wound to the neck.
The matter is before the criminal courts and there will be a trial in the future, Insp Declan Good told the opening of an inquest at Dublin City Coroner’s Court yesterday.
Insp Good applied for an adjournment, which coroner Dr Brian Farrell granted.
He adjourned the inquest until the criminal trial was completed.
Mrs Vickers’s husband, Brian Vickers (43), of Shelmalier Road, East Wall, Dublin, has been charged with his wife’s murder.
Visual artists win AIB prize
AN IRISH couple specialising in new media took this year’s €20,000 AIB Prize, which assists Irish visual artists of outstanding potential in launching their careers, writes Courtney Brooks.
Anne Cleary and Denis Connolly, who have lived in Paris for the last 18 years but often work in Ireland, proposed an exhibit for the Limerick City Gallery of Art. It will involve interactive media, professional dancers, children and community groups.