A round-up of today's other stories in brief
Sentence later for ill-treating pet rabbits
A man who pleaded guilty to cruelty to 22 pet rabbits has had his sentencing adjourned to allow a report to be prepared by the Probation Services.
Michael O'Neill Mockler (69), St Mary's Road, Dundalk, was accused of ill-treating the animals by leaving them without adequate food or water between June 14th-23rd, 2006. The animals were in his house.
In Dundalk District Court yesterday Niall McGahon, solicitor for Mockler, said his client had paid the agreed donation of €500 to the ISPCA. He said the case was "most unfortunate" and was one of omission. His client had taken steps over that period but had been "let down". It was carelessness at most, Mr McGahon added.
Judge Flann Brennan adjourned the case until April 24th.
Inquest put off for trial
The inquest into the death of a young father of two who was stabbed yards from his home after a night out was opened and adjourned in Cork yesterday.
Two men have been charged with the death of Brian McKee (24), at Ballinure Avenue, Mahon, on August 25th last. The inquest has been adjourned until criminal proceedings are completed.
John Brett (24), Leitrim Street, Cork, and Jason Quinlan (29), Loughmahon Drive, Mahon, have been charged with murder.
Dunnes Stores Kilkenny raid
A female employee of Dunnes Stores, Parliament Street, Kilkenny, was accosted and tied up by a lone male burglar armed with a crowbar yesterday morning.
Gardaí said the woman, who "received quite a shock" but was not injured, freed herself and raised the alarm. The raider escaped with an amount of cash believed to be €2,000-€3,000. The incident occurred at 7.30am as the woman was opening up.
Pensioner on assault charge
A pensioner has been charged with sexually assaulting a woman on the Enterprise train between Dublin and Dundalk on June 8th last. The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is also charged with sexual assault at the bus depot in Dundalk on July 27th last year and at Dundalk railway station on November 12th, 2006.
The case was adjourned for hearing next April.