More national news in brief
Ferry delayed after fire in boiler room
More than 200 passengers were put on standby to be evacuated from a ferry in Pembroke dock, Wales, yesterday after a blaze broke out in the boiler room.
Firefighters were called to the Irish Ferries boat, the Isle of Inishmore, at 2.30am as it was preparing to leave for Rosslare. The incident was detected by members of the crew and the boiler unit shut down to minimise risk.
Firefighters had contained the fire by 4.20am in a small area. All passengers were accounted for and kept fully informed of the situation.
The 227 passengers and 89 crew stayed on board the ferry, which left for Rosslare yesterday afternoon. As a result of the delay, the 8.45am sailing from Rosslare was cancelled.
Passengers due to depart from Rosslare Europort yesterday morning were rerouted to ferries in Dublin.
Irish skydiving record broken
Ireland's skydiving record was broken for the second time in a week yesterday when 51 people linked hands in freefall over Clonbullogue, Co Offaly, writes Alison Healy.
On Monday, a 36-person formation was achieved, breaking the previous record of 30 people. At 12.05pm yesterday, however, 51 skydivers hurtled out of four aircraft at an altitude of 14,000 ft and linked hands while falling at 125 mph.
The Parachute Association of Ireland supervised the attempt. The All-Ireland team included nine women and seven skydivers from the North.
Book by Cardinal Daly launched
Cardinal Cahal Daly's new book about the Eucharist was celebrated at a book-signing event in Armagh last night.
Archbishop of Armagh Cardinal Seán Brady was the guest speaker at the formal launch event that marked the publication of The Breaking of Bread: Biblical Reflections on the Eucharist.
The new work by the 91- year- old former archbishop of Armagh, explores the Eucharist theme in the Old and New Testaments.
Sailors rescued after engine fails
Three sailors were rescued yesterday morning by two lifeboats from the RNLI after their yacht broke down on the Irish Sea.
Towed by the Clogher Head lifeboat, the 32ft yacht, the Wandering Star arrived at Kilkeel harbour at about midday yesterday.