A roundup of today's other news stories in brief
EU action on ambulances dismissed
The European Court of Justice has dismissed an action by the European Commission against Ireland over Dublin City Council's provision of ambulance services.
The commission had said that the provision of the ambulance services in Dublin was a public contract, covered by EU public procurement rules, and that there should have been an open call for tender.
But the court found the commission had failed to show that there was, in fact, an award of a public contract for the provision of ambulance services. The court said that it is entirely possible that Dublin City Council was providing the service on the basis of its powers granted under statute.
Youth's death shocks students
Prayer and counselling services have been offered to secondary-school students in Killarney after the death of a 14-year-old youth in tragic circumstances in his home on Sunday.
The Christmas meeting of Kerry County Council held in Kenmare on Monday also passed a vote of sympathy to the family.
Described as an out-going teenager, his death has sent shock waves through the community. Students and staff at his school were said to be severely traumatised by the incident.
Counselling services were offered to students. A special prayer service presided over by two priests was held on Monday afternoon at St Mary's Cathedral for all three Killarney secondary schools, where the boy had many friends and acquaintances. A book of condolences was also opened at the school.
Hit-and-run file to go to DPP
A file is to go to the Director of Public Prosecutions after 33-year- old man was questioned and released by gardaí following a fatal hit-and-run incident in Co Wicklow last Monday.
Elizabeth Callan (79), Killegar, the Scalp, Enniskerry, was walking when she was fatally injured after being struck by a vehicle near home, shortly after 5pm. The driver failed to stop at the scene. Gardaí from Shankill Garda station, Dublin later arrested the man.
Gardaí have appealed for any people who were in the Killegar area and may have seen the incident to contact Shankill Garda station on 01-6665900.
€5.7m overspend on IT computers
The Public Accounts Committee is to investigate a €5.7 million over-run on computer systems purchased for the institutes of technology sector, its chairman, Bernard Allen said yesterday.
The over-run was revealed in the latest report from the Comptroller & Auditor General. Mr Allen said the report makes "disturbing findings on how huge amounts of taxpayers' money were wasted in the purchase of common computer systems for the institutes of technology sector. The final cost of the project was €5.7 million over the original budget".
Man faces opium growing charges
A man facing charges of growing opium and cannabis at a business park has been sent forward to trial.
Mark Tipper, Tomfarney, Clonroche, was before Wexford District Court charged with possession for sale or supply of drugs valued at €13,000 or more, to wit the cultivation of cannabis plants and opium poppy, as well as possession of drugs for sale or supply and unlawful possession of drugs at St John's Business Park, Enniscorthy on March 26th.
Judge Donnchadh Ó Buachalla sent Mr Tipper forward to the next criminal sittings of Wexford Circuit Court, remanding him on bail - fixed at €500 in his own bond with an independent surety of €1,000.