More news in brief
A dispute about the operation of a bar and restaurant in a Galway hotel has been adjourned in the High Court. It was claimed the Waterfront Hotel was left without the bar and restaurant, trading as Kitty O'Shea's, over the St Patrick's bank holiday weekend which had resulted in a high number of customer complaints.
The proceedings arose due to dissatisfaction by the hotel owners with the way in which the bar and restaurant were operated during the past year by Kevin Loughney. Mindano Services Ltd and Rynway International Ltd, the owners, claimed the hotel's reputation had been severely damaged by the alleged failure of Mr Loughney to provide bar and restaurant facilities.
When the case came before Mr Justice Peter Kelly yesterday, the judge was told that counsel for the sides had agreed terms on foot of which the matter could be adjourned. The terms included an undertaking by Mr Loughney not to operate the bar and restaurant. The plaintiffs undertook to take over the running of the bar and restaurant themselves pending the outcome of the legal action.
Jail for selling crack cocaine
A man who sold crack cocaine to undercover gardaí was jailed for nine months by Judge William Hamill yesterday. Thsomba Thumba (35), St Anthony's Road, Rialto, Dublin, pleaded guilty to selling €100 worth of the drug in Templeogue on May 29th, 2003. Dublin District Court heard two gardaí were deployed as part of "Operation Cleanstreet". They met Thumba on Templeogue Road and he took them to nearby Bethany House, where a number of refugees were accommodated, and the deal took place.
Thumba made a statement admitting he sold the drug. A Congolese national who came here seven years ago and was still going through the asylum process, he also admitted separate charges of obstruction and stealing a phone and wallet. He had previous convictions for another obstruction charge and possession of an offensive weapon.
Man who lost finger loses action
The High Court has dismissed an action for damages brought by a man who claimed part of his little finger was amputated as a result of it being fractured when a cell door in a Garda station was closed.
Mr Justice Diarmuid O'Donovan yesterday rejected the claim by Abdel Madjid Belala (39), a native of Algeria, brought against the Minister for Justice, Ireland and the Attorney General, and also awarded costs of the two-day hearing against him.
The court heard Mr Belala had been arrested in March 2001 after he missed his stop on the way to Lucan and had a row with the bus driver.
The construction worker claimed he sustained the injury when he was put in a cell at Lucan Garda station.
The defendants had denied the claims and contended Mr Belala behaved in a dangerous and uncontrolled manner which resulted in him injuring himself.
Mr Belala agreed he had consumed six pints that night and also agreed he had been charged with a public order offence and with assaulting the bus driver. He received a three-month suspended sentence on condition he paid €400 to the driver.