Today's other stories in brief
Three die in Co Down plane crash
At least three people were killed in plane crash in Co Down last night, police said.
The light aircraft came down in a field near the harbour town of Kilkeel just after 9pm. Police said that they had recovered three bodies from the wreckage, but gave no further details.
There were reports of misty conditions at the time of the crash. Earlier this month two men escaped serious injury when a light aircraft crash-landed in a field in Co Tyrone. – (PA)
HSE injunction against supplier
The HSE has secured interim High Court injunctions compelling a software firm to continue to provide support and maintenance to essential “patient critical” and other systems within the health service.
The court was told the software company had threatened to withdraw support and maintenance because it claimed the HSE was in breach of contract and owed it money.
Ms Justice Mary Laffoy granted the HSE interim injunctions requiring Eamon Keogh, trading as Keogh Software, Harold’s Cross, Dublin, to restore and provide maintenance services for software services and applications located at 180 HSE sites around the country.
Teen in contact with accused
A Kildare teenager has told the trial of an alleged double rapist that she was in contact with the accused after he allegedly attacked her. The 19-year-old man is accused of driving two 15-year-old girls to a secluded location in the Curragh within eight days of each other and raping them.
He has pleaded not guilty at the Central Criminal Court to the rape of the girls on January 10th and 18th, 2007. He also denies the lesser charges of having sex with the girls while they were minors. The second alleged victim was to give evidence via video link but said she was too upset. She agreed with Mr Justice Peter Charleton to be ready to testify on Monday morning.
The trial continues before Mr Justice Charleton and a jury.
Suspended term for bottle attack
A young south Co Dublin man who smashed a glass bottle into a teenager’s face three years ago has been given a suspended sentence and ordered to perform community service by Judge Desmond Hogan at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Ross McKeever (22) of Marian Park, Blackrock, offered to let the injured party punch him in the face when he was confronted by a group of youths moments after the attack outside a chip shop on June 6th, 2006.
Judge Hogan imposed a two-year sentence but suspended it on condition that McKeever perform 240 hours of community service, enter into a good behaviour bond for three years and undergo any drug or alcohol programme as directed by the Probation Services.
Fine for ‘living off prostitution’
A Dublin businessman who pleaded guilty to living off the earnings of prostitution at two city centre flats over five years ago has been fined €500 and given a four-month suspended sentence by Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Peter Thompson (62) of Dorset Street Lower, pleaded guilty to living off the earnings of prostitution at flats on Mary St and Dorset St between January 1st, 2002, and May 27th, 2004.