More news in brief
Two teenagers arrested after the alleged kidnap and assault of a Brazilian-born boy in Tallaght, Dublin, have been released without charge.
Gilmar Mandiangu (14) told gardaí he was lured into a neighbour's house, where he was locked inside, humiliated and shot in the eye with a pellet gun. The incident, which he claimed happened on Wednesday, was allegedly recorded on a mobile phone. A Garda spokesman said files were being prepared for the DPP.
Oblates mark 150th anniversary
The 150th anniversary of the arrival of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate in Ireland was marked at a special midday Mass yesterday.
The Mass was attended by President Mary McAleese in the congregation's centre in Inchicore, Dublin.
The Oblates were founded in France by St Eugene Mazenod. Today the congregation has parishes at Inchicore, Bluebell and Darndale in Dublin as well as at Toreen, Co Mayo, and Terryglass, Co Tipperary.
A reception at Inchicore yesterday was attended by the Archbishop of Dublin Dr Diarmuid Martin and the congregation's superior general Fr Wilhelm Steckling. Last night, in her last official act as Dublin's Lord Mayor, Catherine Byrne switched on permanent floodlighting at the Oblate church on Tyrconnell Road.
Four ordinations at Christ Church
Two men and two women ordained priests by the Church of Ireland Archbishop of Dublin Most Rev John Neill at a service in Christ Church cathedral yesterday.
The Rev Elaine Dunne has been a curate in Castleknock, Co Dublin, since being ordained deacon last year, the Rev Patricia Taylor has been a curate in Wicklow and Killiskey parishes. She and her husband have four children and one grandchild; the Rev Stephen McElhinney has been curate at Kill o' the Grange and the Rev Darren McCallig, a curate in Monkstown, Co Dublin, was president of the student union when he was at NUI Galway.