More news in brief
Galway County Council engineers erected a pedestrian link between both sides of Leenane village in Connemara yesterday, as efforts continued to construct a temporary "bailey" crossing.
The village lost its bridge earlier this week when a combination of swollen river waters and a landslide caused by heavy rain swept away the main arches.
It is expected that it will be a fortnight before vehicular traffic can use a temporary construction.
Marauding dogs slaughter seals
Two marauding dogs are being blamed for the slaughter of 14 seals, four adults and 10 pups in Donegal Bay.
Ten sheep on a nearby island were also killed by the same dogs after they attacked the seals on the shore's edge at Mullilnasole, near Donegal town. The dogs have been put down after the attacks earlier this week.
Animal welfare campaigners yesterday said the loss of the seals was a major blow. Joe Gatins, regional manager of the National Parks and Wildlife service, said: "This is a unique herd. It's the only one in Ireland or the UK to have produced two sets of twins." He said prosecutions would be considered.
Family laid to rest in Grange Con
There were emotional scenes in Grange Con, Co Wicklow, yesterday as hundreds of mourners turned out to pay their final respects yesterday to John Joe, Mary and Patrick Sleator.
The village just outside Baltinglass came to a standstill, with all local pubs and shops closed for the day.
John Joe (85) and Mary (82) were killed in the kitchen of their home and their son Patrick (43) turned the gun on himself. The three bodies were discovered on Monday morning.
Man told to pay €10,000 to victim
A man who stabbed an opponent during a fight between two factions has been ordered to pay his victim €10,000 compensation and perform 240 hours' community service in lieu of three years' imprisonment.
Davin Molloy (22), Gloucester Place, Dublin 1, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to causing serious harm to Anthony Kavanagh on September 5th, 2002. He had no previous convictions.
Judge Katherine Delahunt ordered that he perform the community service within nine months, attend alcohol rehabilitation and pay €10,000 compensation to Mr Kavanagh in lieu of imprisonment.
Search for escaped prisoner
A Garda search was taking place yesterday for a prisoner who escaped from Ballyshannon Court in Co Donegal.
Gavin Mitchell (29), Windmill View, Letterkenny, had been due to appear before the court on a charge of breaching a barring order granted to his mother Sadie.
He was released from handcuffs so that he could go to speak with a solicitor in the foyer of the court building. When the case was called 30 minutes later Judge Desmond A. Zaidan was informed that Mr Mitchell was no longer in the environs of the court.
The judge ruled that Mr Mitchell was unlawfully at large.
Waterford hospital closed
Waterford Regional Hospital remains closed to visitors, except in exceptional circumstances such as families visiting critically ill patients, as part of infection control measures in place to curb the possible spread of the Noro Virus.
A total of 23 patients at the hospital are displaying symptoms of vomiting and/or diarrhoea. In addition, five members of staff are affected.