Other stories in brief
Ahern urged to steer clear of Revenue job
The deputy leader of the Labour Party, Joan Burton, said yesterday that Taoiseach Bertie Ahern must play no part in the process to appoint a new chairman of the Revenue Commissioners because he had "outstanding issues with the Revenue".
When the matter came before Cabinet, she said, he should absent himself.
The current chairman, Frank Daly, is due to retire on March 12th.
Road fatality in Newbridge
Gardaí at Newbridge, Co Kildare, are investigating a fatal road traffic incident at about 12.30pm yesterday at Ballymany, Newbridge.
An 82-year-old female pedestrian was killed when she was struck by a van. She was removed to Naas hospital where she later died.
Meanwhile, the woman fatally injured in a road crash in Salthill, Galway, last Friday was named by gardaí as Aileen Feeney (22) from Dromore West, Co Sligo.
The man who died as a result of a crash in Ballymahon, Co Longford, on February 18th has been named as Lukasz Jendrysiak (24), a Polish national living at Moycourt, Ballymahon.
Sligo honours Flatley
Michael Flatley last night accepted the freedom of Sligo and dedicated the honour to his father, also Michael.
In an acceptance speech in Sligo City Hall - where he won his first Irish dancing medals as a schoolboy - the Lord of the Dance said: "My father is my hero and I am receiving and giving this award to him."
He added: "My mum and dad worked so hard to give me every start in life and everything I have done has been for them."
Flatley's parents, Michael snr and Éilish, could attend the event due to illness.
The mayor of Sligo, Jonathan McGoldrick, conferred the freedom of the borough on the dancer at the specially convened council meeting.
Garda appeal after robbery
Gardaí at Cabinteely, Co Dublin, are renewing their appeal for information about a robbery at Dunnes Stores shopping centre at Cornelscourt on Sunday.
Shortly after 4pm, a security guard was forced at gunpoint to open ATM machines and a substantial amount of cash was taken in the robbery.
The employee was then bound and gagged and the two men alleged to have been involved made their way from the scene. The man freed himself later and alerted his employer, who contacted gardaí.
Meatloaf to play in Cork
Veteran American rocker Meatloaf is to join the line-up for this year's Live in the Marquee series of concerts in Cork when he plays the tented venue on June 29th, writes Barry Roche.
Eric Clapton, Dolly Parton, Paul Weller and Shayne Ward, as well as Irish acts Christy Moore and Tommy Tiernan, have already been confirmed for the concerts.