In short

More news in brief.

More news in brief.

Three to be appointed as new judges

The Government has nominate three lawyers for appointment by President Mary McAleese as judges of the District Court. They are Victor Blake, David Kennedy, and Heather Perrin.

Mr Blake qualified as a solicitor in 1979. From 1981 to 2006, he ran his own practice in Lucan, Co Dublin and continues as a consultant solicitor to the firm.

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Mr Kennedy qualified as a barrister in 1993. He practised in Dublin from 1993 to 1994, and thereafter on the southwestern circuit also. He has wide experience in civil and criminal law.

Ms Perrin attended the Incorporated Law Society, qualifying as a solicitor in 1983. Since 1994 she has been a sole practitioner with experience in conveyancing, litigation, family law, probate and criminal work.

Man remanded over assault

A man has been further remanded in custody on a charge of assaulting a retired barman found dead at his home in Cork.

Paul Murphy (23), Kilmore Road, Knocknaheeny, Cork, is charged with assault causing serious harm to Donal Manley (62) at High Street, Capwell on October 10th. He was remanded in custody to appear before Cork District Court on November 19th.

Man to face trial over 1997 murder

An Englishman accused of the murder of a young Kerry man 11 years ago has been returned for trial to Central Criminal Court.

Robert Anthony (60), who lived at Derrylough, Tuosist, Kenmare, in the 1990s, is charged with the murder of Philip O'Sullivan (19), in Kenmare, in August 1997.

€20,000 for girl burned by coffee

A young girl, who suffered burns as a baby when hot coffee spilled on her from a takeaway cup with a lid that was not properly secured, has won €20,000 in settlement of her High Court action.

The proceedings were brought against Nude Ltd, which operates the premises at Liffey Valley shopping centre.

Nude denied any liability for the injuries suffered by Sadhbh Mohan (4). Through her mother Helen, Blackwood Close, Ongar Chase, Co Dublin, Sadhbh sued Nude Ltd over the incident on August 31st, 2004.

Killer jailed for stealing rings

A convicted killer who stole engagement rings worth almost €50,000 from a jewellery store in Limerick has been jailed for four years.

At Limerick Circuit Court Michael Hayes, (29), Kennedy Park, Limerick, pleaded guilty to taking the 12 rings from Irwin's jewellery store, Patrick Street, on January 21st this year.

None of jewellery was recovered. Hayes had more than 40 previous convictions, including one for the manslaughter in 2001.

Brian McInerney said his client was a "seriously addicted chronic heroin addict" who had not materially benefited from the theft of the jewellery.

Reshuffle of top Garda positions

Garda Commissioner Fachtna Murphy has made seven changes in a reshuffle of Garda officers at assistant commissioner rank, writes Conor Lally.

The changes announced follow the promotion of four new assistant commissioners, the third-most senior grade in the force, to replace others who have retired or been promoted.

Willie Keane, previously a chief superintendent in Limerick city, takes charge of the western region. Kevin Ludlow, previously based in Anglesea Street, Cork, will head up policing in the southern region. Mick Feehan moves to the northern region and Fintan Fanning has been posted to the southeastern region. Derek Byrne will lead national support services.

Assistant Commissioner Mick McCarthy takes charge of crime and security while Noreen O'Sullivan takes over HR management.

Citizen taskforce members named

Members of the Taskforce on Active Citizenship steering group have been announced by Minister of State Pat Carey.

Mary Davis, Special Olympics Eurasia, will chair the group, which includes Dermot McCarthy, Department of the Taoiseach; Gerry Kearney, Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs; Mary Cunningham, National Youth Council of Ireland, and Tony Kennedy, Co-operation Ireland.

Mary Holland scholarships

DIT students Erika Lema from Italy and Riyaz Patel from South Africa have won the Mary Holland journalism scholarships for 2008/09.

The scholarship was launched in 2007 in honour of the late Irish Times, Sunday Tribuneand Observerjournalist and is aimed at encouraging immigrant participation in Irish journalism.

French honour for MEP Aylward

MEP Liam Aylward has has been named on the French honours list for 2008 and will receive the Commandeur Merite Agricole award, writes Seán MacConnell. The award is being given for his work in promoting EU agriculture and the EU food sector.