Judge Yvonne Murphy will give her charge to the jury this morning in the trial of a Co Tipperary teacher who denies charges of sexual assault against two mentally impaired children at a special school in Limerick.
The 48-year-old married father of two has pleaded not guilty to four counts of sexual assault against the two youths in Limerick, Clare and in his own home on dates between September 9th, 1994, and March 31st, 1997.
Garda, IMO in appeal over robbery
Gardaí in Dublin and the Irish Medical Organisation are appealing for information on a burglary earlier this month at the home of IMO president, Ms Kate Ganter.
A substantial amount of jewellery was stolen in the robbery, in the Dartry area of the city. Also taken was the IMO chain of office, which is understood to be of reasonable value though gardaí have declined to put an exact value on it. The robbery took place on November 17th.
Woman takes job discrimination case
A former manager at the Northern Ireland Fisheries Conservancy Board claims she was not short-listed for a post because of her relationship with a Catholic member of staff.
Dr Elaine Hamilton, from Cookstown, accused the board and its former chief executive, Mr William Smyth, of religious discrimination for failing to short-list her for the post of fisheries manager in November 1998.
Three years earlier, a claim of unfair dismissal against the FCB by Dr Hamilton, after she was sacked as deputy chief inspector, was settled out of court.
A Fair Employment tribunal heard yesterday that when she applied to rejoin the board she was turned down because of her relationship with Mr Leo McKenna, an employee for more than 30 years.
Her barrister, Mr Eamonn McArdle, said that Dr Hamilton did not deny that a sad state of affairs had existed when she worked there but denied that she was responsible for the in-fighting that took place.
TD to seek Dail debate on suicide
A Dáil debate on the increasing level of suicide in the State, particularly among young men, will be sought today by a Limerick TD.
Fine Gael's deputy health spokesman Mr Dan Neville will try to have Dáil business adjourned to discuss suicide which is, he said, "at epidemic proportions".
Mr Neville, who is president of the Irish Association of Suicidology, said more people now died by suicide in the State every year than in road traffic accidents. There were 448 suicides and 366 deaths from road traffic accidents in the Republic in 2001.
Gardai seek moped accident witnesses
Gardai at Blackrock, Co. Dublin, are seeking witnesses to a serious road accident in the early hours of last Saturday, November 23rd.
The accident took place at Blackglen Road, Sandyford, at 1.50 a.m. and involved only one vehicle, a moped.
Two 16-year-olds who were on the moped were removed to hospital with serious injuries.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Blackrock Garda station on 6665200.
PSNI seeks details on missing man
The PSNI is appealing for information on missing man George Smith (20), who was last seen on November 17th.
From Park Road, Dromara, Co Down, he is described as 5 feet 11 inches, of medium build and with ginger hair. When last seen he was wearing a red baseball cap and a green anorak. Police ask anyone with information to contact them on (028) 9269 2222.