More news in brief
Two Independent TDs will ask the High Court on Monday to speed up the court process so their constitutional challenge over Dáil constituencies can be heard before the start of the general election.
Independent TDs Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central) and Catherine Murphy (Kildare North) are challenging the constitutionality of the Electoral Amendment Act following their analysis of the final census of population figures which were released last month.
Lawyers for the TDs will ask the High Court on Monday for a directions motion which is designed to speed up the normal court process where affidavits are filed and opposing parties reply. The application is also geared towards getting an early hearing date for the constitutional challenge in advance of the general election.
Last autumn the Government ruled out constituency changes ahead of the election.
In the proceedings, the TDs are challenging the constitutionality of the Electoral Amendment Act which defines constituency boundaries. They claim that under the final census of population, 11 out of 43 constituencies are in clear breach of the Article 16 of the Constitution, which requires every constituency within reason to have the same ratio of TD to population.
The TDs are also seeking declaratory relief that the State has failed in its obligation.
Two remanded on firearms charges
Two men have been charged with possession of a semi-automatic pistol.
The men were arrested at Liffey Valley shopping centre by two unarmed gardaí yesterday afternoon following a high-speed car chase.
Liam Barr (35), Corrib Avenue, Belfast, and Mark Fitzpatrick (23), Ross-na- Reen Avenue, Belfast, were charged with possession of a semi-automatic Colt 45 under the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act.
After being charged at Lucan Garda station, they were taken to Kilmainham District Court where they were granted legal aid by Judge Brian Joseph Sheridan, who remanded them to Cloverhill Prison.
Blanchardstown case in final stages
The trial of a Dublin man accused of attempting to murder a Jordanian man by shooting him in the head at a Leisureplex in Blanchardstown, Dublin, has entered its final stages at the Central Criminal Court.
Shane Murphy SC, prosecuting, told the jury that the chief prosecution witness had ample time to recognise Darren Larkin when he arrived at his place of work in the early hours of February 20th, 2006.
Mr Larkin (23), of no fixed address, denies attempting to murder Akef Alquasar during the incident. He also denies two further charges of possession of a firearm and ammunition with intent to endanger life.
Mr Murphy told the jury that this was a case of recognition. Mr Alquasar had worked in the Leisureplex for seven years as security manager and was on duty at the time of the incident.
Mary Ellen Ring SC, defending, cautioned the jury that there was evidence that in the case of visual identifications, "the danger of mistake and the consequence of miscarriage of justice is grave".
The trial was adjourned until Monday when the jury will be charged by Mr Justice Éamon de Valera.