A round-up of today's other stories in brief...
Legal argument in murder case
The judge at the trial of a Dublin man accused of murder has been listening to legal argument in the absence of the jury.
Bryan Ryan (24), an unemployed man originally from Sheepmore Crescent in Blanchardstown, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Ian Tobin at Fortlawn Park, Blanchardstown on May 27th, 2007. Mr Tobin (25) died after he was shot through a door in what the prosecution say was an attack intended for his brother, Blake.
It is the prosecution's case that, as a result of an ongoing feud, Mr Ryan drove a motorbike with another man, Michael Murray, who was carrying a gun, and that Mr Murray shot Ian Tobin in the neck.
There will be another day of legal argument today and the jury are expected to return tomorrow morning.
Elderly woman tells of attack
A woman in her 80s yesterday told a special sitting of the District Court how she was allegedly raped last summer by a man in his 30s who was living in a nearby Border town.
Very tight reporting restrictions applied for the hearing and even the woman's sons and daughter were excluded from the hearing, as they will be giving evidence in the trial. The defendant has pleaded not guilty to charges including rape and robbery.
The woman spoke for 25 minutes and was briefly questioned by the defendant's solicitor. The case against the man is to go ahead in Dublin's Central Criminal Court in the spring.
The accused man was further remanded in custody to a prison in Dublin to appear at the trial next year.
Appeal over judge's decision
A District Court judge is obliged to hold an inquiry before deciding to allow further time for serving a book of evidence in criminal cases, it was argued at the High Court yesterday.
It is in the interests of justice that such inquiries take place, especially where a person who is awaiting a book of evidence is in custody on remand, Michael P O'Higgins SC told the court yesterday.
Mr O'Higgins was speaking during judicial review proceedings taken by a man charged with drug offences challenging the manner in which a District Court judge allowed the State more time to serve a book of evidence on him. On July 11th, at Harristown District Court, Judge Geoffrey Browne granted the extension to the DPP in the case of Tran Tuan Anh, who is charged with possession, supply and cultivation of cannabis in a house attic in Roscommon on April 20th last.
The man's lawyers argue the judge should have heard oral evidence, or got sworn statements, from gardaí before the extension.
'No evidence' nurses injured patients
THE Psychiatric Nurses Association last night said there was no evidence to suggest nursing staff were responsible for inflicting injuries on patients in two mental health units in south Tipperary.
The association's deputy general secretary Séamus Murphy said a "slur" had been created following the leaking of details of a Mental Health Commission report into care at St Michaels Unit in South Tipperary General Hospital and in St Lukes Hospital in Clonmel.
The report, which is understood to be nearing completion, investigated concerns about injuries to 19 patients at the units between July 2002 and January 2004.
Man gets 11 years for importing LSD
An English truck driver who attempted to import LSD valued at over €600,000 and strapped to his body through Dublin Port has been given an 11-year sentence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
David Coles (37), Birdsfarm, Saffron Walden, Essex, pleaded guilty to possession of the drug for sale or supply at Dublin Port on February 10th, 2005.
Judge Frank O'Donnell said "the message must go out on the streets that if you are caught importing drugs into Ireland it will result in severe punishment".
Firm in VAT fraud trial fails to show
A Waterford subcontracting company accused of a massive VAT fraud involving more than €800,000 has failed to appear in court for trial.
Cappoquin Civil Engineering Ltd, whose main director is Christy Landers of Dungarvan, is charged with making fraudulent returns and failing to remit over €775,000 in VAT payments.
Cappoquin is charged with 13 counts of allegedly "knowingly and wilfully" making incorrect VAT returns on dates from April 2002 to May 2004; 14 counts of failure to remit VAT payments; three counts of failing to deliver corporation tax returns from 2003-2005; and two counts of failing to keep records of transactions relating to income tax for 2002 and 2003.
Judge Desmond Hogan said that due to the accused company not being represented in court, the trial would be shorter than it might have been. The hearing continues before Judge Hogan and a jury of five women and seven men.
No verdict on city shooting charge
A jury has failed to reach a verdict in the trial of a Limerick man charged in connection with a shooting in the city last year.
Liam "Baby" Kelly (20), Distillery View, Thomondgate, Limerick, had denied possession of a shotgun with intent to endanger life at St Munchin's Street, St Mary's Park, Limerick, on September 23rd, 2007. Following three hours of deliberations yesterday evening, the jury foreman told Judge Seán Ó Donnabháin he did not think they would reach either a unanimous or majority verdict.
Mr Kelly was remanded in custody to appear in court again today.