A round-up of today's other stories in brief.
Woman voted to succeed Ervine in PUP
The Progressive Unionist Party last night chose a woman as its new leader. Dawn Purvis, the Northern Ireland Policing Board member, was chosen at a meeting of the party executive in Belfast to replace David Ervine who died suddenly two weeks ago, aged 53.
She is the first woman to lead a unionist and loyalist party. Ms Purvis said: "I am deeply honoured to have been made the leader of the PUP. "However, this is also tinged with sadness given the huge loss of David.
"It is a huge challenge to step into this role, especially after the good work he did. "But this gives us an opportunity to rebuild and continue to serve working class loyalists and unionist communities." - (PA)
Girl (14) dies from inhaling solvents
Gardaí have described the death of a 14-year-old girl from solvent inhalation in Co Waterford last weekend as a terrible tragedy.
Preliminary postmortem results on the body of Michelle Bray, from Childers Estate in Dungarvan, show that she died from solvent inhalation. She became ill while with friends in a car in the town at 9.30pm on Sunday and was attended to by emergency personnel, but she died at the scene.
Gardaí recovered a deodorant canister at the scene.
Man dies in freak knife accident
A Ukrainian man has died following a freak accident in Co Tipperary in which he suffered a serious stab wound to the leg.
Gardaí believe that the man (41) was sharpening a knife on Saturday evening on a machine at a house in Nenagh when the knife flew back and cut a major artery in his thigh.
Charge of reckless endangerment
A man facing a charge of criminal damage has had a further charge preferred against him.
Paul Stokes (52), Montpelier Parade, Monkstown, Co Dublin, is alleged to have driven his car last November at the revolving door of the main building of RTÉ after a live programme had finished and as members of the audience were making their way home.
At Dublin District Court yesterday, Mr Stokes was charged with reckless endangerment.The matter was adjourned until next Monday.
Vomiting bug at Galway hospital
Six wards at Galway's University College Hospital have been closed to further admissions due to an outbreak of the winter vomiting bug. The outbreak has also forced the deferral of all elective procedures for the remainder of this week.
The hospital apologised to patients and urged the public not to visit unless it was essential.
Outpatient clinics are continuing as normal.
Fine Gael to hold strategy meeting
Fine Gael is to hold a special day-long meeting of its TDs, Senators and candidates today as part of its pre-election planning. Candidates are to be briefed by senior party strategists on key issues. The meeting will be held in Dublin.
Challenge to council's refusal
A woman who wants to convert the attic of the family home into a special "sensory room" for her autistic son has brought a High Court challenge to Meath County Council's refusal of a housing grant.
The proceedings have been brought on behalf of Jack Hurst (7) by his mother Theresa Hurst.
Mr Justice Michael Peart yesterday granted leave to seek orders quashing a decision by the council refusing her application for a grant under the Housing (Disabled Persons and Essential Repairs Grants) Regulations.