In Short

A round-up of other court news in brief

A round-up of other court news in brief

Murder inquiry launched after 'savage attack'

Police in Co Armagh have launched a murder investigation into the death of a farmer in his isolated home in Middletown.

Dairy farmer Victor Stewart, a 45-year-old bachelor who lived alone, died in a "savage attack" in the living room of his home, Det Chief Insp Richard Harkness said.

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Mr Stewart was found shortly before midday on Wednesday, but police have yet to establish when he died.

Further time for examiner on airline

The examiner to grounded charter airline Futura Gael has secured more time to try to finalise a scheme to ensure the airline's survival.

At the Commercial Court yesterday, Mr Justice Peter Kelly granted an application by Rossa Fanning, for examiner Kieran Wallace, to extend court protection for the company to December 1st next to allow Mr Wallace try and finalise a scheme of arrangement.

Man had loaded gun on dancefloor

A young man who shot a teenage girl from Co Cork in the head while dancing around with a gun was jailed for eight years in England yesterday.

Wayne Bryan (20) had been drinking and smoking cannabis and thought it was "cool" to dance with the weapon which accidentally went off in his hand.

Sophie Finucane (16), who was enjoying a sleepover party with girlfriends at her mother's house in Gorton, Manchester, was shot at close range in the head. Bryan had been invited as they were friends, Manchester Crown Court heard.

Ms Finucane regained consciousness after 10 days but is still unable to walk.

She has lost use in her right arm and her vision is damaged.

Her father, John, is now looking after her at his home in Co Cork.

Company told not to make payments

The Commercial Court has directed that a property investment company cannot make any payments without the written permission of an examiner, who was appointed by the court earlier this week against the wishes of most of the company's directors.

Mr Justice Peter Kelly made the order on the application of Kevin Hughes, examiner of Tuskar Asset Management plc and five related companies.

Mr Hughes said it was alleged that certain payments had been made to deal with liabilities to companies outside the Tuskar group.

Man jailed for shotgun offence

A gunman who entered a busy Limerick pub with a loaded shotgun has been jailed for four years.

Garrett Fitzgerald (32), Claughaun Avenue, Limerick, had been drinking in Quilty's bar in Thomondgate where he wastold by a man to leave because he was too drunk.

He returned wearing a balaclava and pointed the loaded firearm at the man who had his five-year-old son sitting on his lap at the time.