A round-up of today's other stories in brief.
Retired civil servant seeks to halt trial
A retired clerical officer in the Department of Justice has brought a legal challenge to stop his trial on charges of corruptly accepting, or agreeing to accept gifts, as an inducement to showing favour to a number of Chinese.
John Kennedy, of Willow Crest Trees Avenue, Mount Merrion, Dublin, is also seeking a declaration from the High Court that a section of the anti-corruption legislation is invalid.
He contends that a provision of the Prevention of Corruption Act is unconstitutional and in breach of the European Convention on Human Rights. Mr Kennedy is charged with offences relating to four Chinese persons. He has pleading not guilty to all the counts.
The hearing continues.
Man jailed for IRA membership
A Dublin man was jailed for six years by the Special Criminal Court yesterday for membership of the IRA.
Colm Maguire (32), Oatfield Crescent , Clondalkin, Dublin, was found guilty last month of membership of the IRA on September 13th, 2003.
Court report - Mr Barry Maloney
A caption under a photograph of Mr Barry Maloney, accompanying a report of the Denis O'Brien/ Irish Mirrorlibel action, published on November 23rd, referred to contested recollections of a discussion between Messrs Maloney and O'Brien.
The Irish Timesacknowledges that Mr Maloney has been consistent in the evidence he has given, both to the Moriarty tribunal and to the High Court, on what was said on that occasion, namely that Mr O'Brien told Mr Maloney that he gave IR£100,000 to Mr Michael Lowry. Mr O'Brien has denied this. Mr Maloney has not at any time accepted Mr O'Brien's denial. It was not intended to suggest anything to the contrary in the caption.
Mother fights deportation order
A Nigerian mother is contesting in the High Court a move to deport her family on the grounds that her five-year-old son, who has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, would not receive adequate treatment for his condition if returned to Nigeria.
Olivia Aghbonlohar (36), with an address at Clonakilty, Co Cork, claims her son would be treated as an outcast in Nigeria because of his condition and that his sister would be seen as a "voodoo sibling".
Judgment reserved in tribunal case
The High Court has reserved to next month its judgment on a challenge by the Fitzwilton group aimed at restraining the Mahon tribunal from holding a public hearing into the payment in 1989 by one of its companies of £30,000 to former minister Ray Burke for Fianna Fáil funds.
Mr Justice Kevin Feeney said he hoped to give his decision on January 11th.
Former addict gets five years
A former cocaine addict who owed €50,000 to his supplier has been jailed for five years for having heroin worth €98,000 last year.
Matthew Ellis (26) of Greenfort Crescent, Clondalkin, told the court he developed epilepsy due to his addiction and was given no choice but to carry the heroin for the criminal who owned it.