A round-up of today's other stories in brief...
Tour firm seeks licence to fly to Lapland, Dubai
A company planning to operate tour packages to Lapland and Dubai from next week has asked the Commercial Court to overturn the aviation regulator's refusal to renew its operator's licence.
The Commission for Aviation Regulation claims there are inadequate financial arrangements and resources in place to meet the company's actual and potential obligations.
Manorcastle Ltd, Clonkeen Road, Deansgrange, Dublin, trading as United Travel, has brought proceedings over the commission's decision on October 24th last not to renew its licence.
The case was fast-tracked to the Commercial Court this month because the company wants to operate flights to Lapland and Dubai from early December.
Mr Justice Peter Charleton was told the company could continue to operate pending the outcome of the proceedings. The first flight is due to go out on December 5th.
Examiner for pottery companies
A judge has confirmed the appointment of an examiner to companies producing and selling pottery under the Stephen Pearce brand after being told it is believed they have a reasonable prospect of survival once certain conditions are met.
Mr Justice Peter Kelly yesterday appointed accountant Kieran Wallace of KPMG as examiner to National Crafts Ltd and its wholly owned subsidiary, Penn Castle Ltd, both Shanagarry, Co Cork.
The judge was told an independent accountant took the view that the company could survive provided certain conditions.
The company has a shortfall of €277,810 and, if wound up, its liabilities would amount to €1.48 million.
Action against bank stands
A judge has refused to throw out a claim against Ulster Bank by a Dublin retailer. Hussain Nouri Hussain, Highfield Road, Rathgar, an Iraqi national who runs a grocery shop at Upper Rathmines Road, says he was libelled by the bank when its branch in Ranelagh, Dublin, closed his account, cancelled his cheque card and refused to honour cheques.
The bank said this was in pursuance of a lawful direction of the Central Bank which was engaged in implementing UN financial and economic sanctions against Iraq at the time. Judge Jacqueline Linnane refused the application to dismiss Mr Hussain's claim but directed that he serve notice of trial on the bank within two weeks.
Legal aid bail system criticised
A District Court judge has criticised the legal aid system which sees parents prepared to pay "handsome and princely sums" to secure their children bail but not to pay their legal fees.
"Somebody's going to have to call a halt," said Judge John Neilan. "There is something radically wrong when parents can put €500 on the table for bail" but allow their children to avail of free legal aid.
The issue arose as he heard a Garda application to revoke the bail of a young man currently serving two years in St Patrick's Institution whose most recent bail application to the High Court had been made by junior counsel paid for by the taxpayers.
Because he had broken a number of conditions imposed by the High Court, the judge granted the request that the €500 paid by the youth's mother go to State coffers.
Judge Neilan emphasised he was not taking these issues into consideration in the young man's case but highlighted that in general, parents would have to be reasonable.