Other stories in brief.
Man jailed for 10 years for abusing girls
A Louth man who abused his daughter and niece when they were aged four and 10 has been jailed for 10 years by Mr Justice Paul Carney at the Central Criminal Court. The 49-year-old, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to four sample counts of oral rape and five sample counts of sexual assault on dates between 1995 and 1997.
Sgt Anthony Flynn told prosecuting counsel the abuse came to light when the man's niece told her mother about an incident which happened while staying with her cousins. After the girl came forward her cousin made a statement to say her father had abused her for over two years between the ages of four and seven.
Mr Justice Carney sentenced him to 10 years for each of the counts of rape and five years for each of the sexual assault counts with all sentences to run concurrently. He also ordered that he undergo two years' post-release supervision.
Castlebar spire plan rejected
Planning officials in Castlebar, Co Mayo have rejected a €1 million plan to mount a spire on the local Church of the Holy Rosary to the annoyance of some members of the authority, writes Tom Shiel.
Some €600,000 had been raised by voluntary subscription for the project but town planners have refused permission on the grounds that the proposed spire is "architecturally inconsistent with the original design". A spire for the bell tower was intended when the church was first built in 1901 but would have cost too much.
The Mayor of Castlebar, Cllr Eugene McCormack, said yesterday the provision of a spire was "unfinished business" and criticised the planners for their decision.
Plan for heliport turned down
Plans by Lahinch golf club to construct a heliport to cater for its growing corporate membership have been rejected by Clare County Council, writes Gordon Deegan.
The council refused permission on four grounds. The proposed development site, accessed from the busy Lahinch-Liscannor road, would endanger public safety; its proximity to a residential area would injure the amenities and depreciate the value of properties; the site was located in open space where the objective was to conserve and enhance land for open space and amenity purposes; and it was located in visually vulnerable landscape adjacent to a scenic route where its concrete base within the sand dunes would be in conflict with this objective and would militate against coastline preservation.
The club can appeal the council's decision to An Bord Pleanála.
Asbestos waste found in quarry
Highly toxic asbestos waste has been found in Kilsaran Quarry, Bellewstown, Co Meath, the Environmental Protection Agency has confirmed. The EPA has given Meath County Council until February 6th to produce a report on how it intends to ensure the waste is disposed of.