A round-up of today's other stories in brief.
Catholic church in bomb attack
A Catholic church has been damaged by a bomb attack in Co Down, the PSNI revealed yesterday. The home-made device, packed with ball bearings and a shotgun cartridge, ignited on the windowsill of Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, Nunsquarter, Kircubbin.Police said they were trying to establish a motive.
Parish Priest Colm McBride claimed whoever was responsible must have been working alone. "It's the work of a single individual who doesn't represent anybody except their own disturbed views. Relationships here are very, very good." - (PA)
Train delays for rail commuters
Commuters travelling to Dublin on the northern train route faced long delays due to a fault on the line during rush hour early yesterday morning. The problem occurred at Rush at 8.15am and affected the train travelling in from Dundalk.
The problem was further exacerbated when a subsequent train became stuck behind. This second train was unable to move until 9.30am affecting all commuters travelling between Dundalk and Dublin.
Iarnród Éireann northern train's spokesperson, Jane Cregan said there were delays of up to 90 minutes.
The train service returned to normal around mid-morning after the second train was able to move at 9.30am. Iarnród Éireann have apologised for any inconvenience caused.
Many irate commuters arriving into the city up to 2½ hours late alleged they had been unable to use their train tickets on the buses. Passengers who were unable to use their rail tickets and had to pay are advised to retain their tickets to claim a full refund.
Pulmonary unit opens in Mater
President Mary McAleese yesterday opened Ireland's first Pulmonary Hypertension Unit at the Mater hospital in Dublin. The facility was established in 2003 to treat patients suffering from this rare and incurable disease. PH is a progressive and terminal lung condition that affected 180 people in Ireland last year.
"I can only begin to imagine what it is like for the 30-year-old that is diagnosed with PH. That must be the scariest day," said Mrs McAleese yesterday.
Addressing medical staff and patients who have participated in trials for the development of new treatment therapies, she said: "You are the people who have put hope into this story that has not been a good story."
The prognosis for PH sufferers has risen from 2½ years in 2003 to over five years today due to the work of the Mater PH unit.
Recently two dedicated beds have been secured for patients attending the clinic in the Mater. "This is a great day for Ireland and in particular for those who suffer from PH," said Dr Seán Gaine, the consultant respiratory physician who established the care unit.
"Ten years ago, there would have been no treatment except for a lung transplant. Now the situation is much better," Dr Gaine said yesterday.
Jailed hypnotist back in court
A jailed hypnotist who is serving a four year prison sentence for indecently assaulting women, pleaded guilty in the Crown Court in Derry yesterday to nine new charges of indecently assaulting two other women.
Richard Kenneth Tilley, (69), Magilligan Prison, Co Derry, was jailed for four years in February 2006 after admitting seven charges of indecently assaulting female clients. At his trial the court was told that he abused his victims when they were under hypnosis as part of their treatment to give up smoking.
At the Crown Court yesterday he pleaded guilty to nine additional charges of indecently assaulting two women. Tilley, will be sentenced on October 1st.