ireland.com - The Irish Times

'Confidential' EU letter discovered in Esat Telecom files
A copy of a "confidential" letter from the European Commission to the former minister for transport, Mr Michael Lowry, on the second GSM licence competition has been discovered in the files of Esat Telecom. p

Integrity of Mitchell recalled at funeral
Integrity, honesty, enthusiasm and commitment were words used to describe the late Fine Gael deputy leader, Mr Jim Mitchell, at his requiem Mass in Dublin yesterday. p

Five-year legal battle by midwife ends in victory
A five-year legal battle between a Co Dublin domiciliary midwife and An Bord Altranais (the nursing board) ended at the High Court yesterday.The proceedings have cost the board an estimated €2 million, while Ms Ann Ó Ceallaigh has emerged victorious and with no restrictions on her practice. p

Other Stories

Mouse genome find an advance for humans
The next great advance in human genetics research has arrived, courtesy of the common mouse. Scientists have published the genetic blueprint of the mouse and 99 per cent of its working elements are identical to those found in humans. p
Dump plan at disused mine in doubt
An Bord Pleanála has overturned a decision by North Tipperary County Council to grant a licence to drain water from a disused mine at Silvermines to make way for a large dump. p
Gas site inquiry told of concerns over peat
The delicate process required for the safe removal of peat from blanket bog was outlined by local people at the oral hearing in Ballina into the proposed Corrib gas terminal at Bellanaboy Bridge, north Mayo, yesterday. p
People of Beara ill at ease with just one permanent GP
One permanent doctor for more than 4,000 people on the Beara Peninsula demonstrates the need to provide extra funding to attract GPs to peripheral areas. p
Catholic paper accuses RTE of major inconsistency
The Irish Catholic paper has accused RTÉ and the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland of "a remarkable inconsistency" in how they interpret restrictions on political and religious advertising. p
Martin reports decreases in hospital waiting list numbers
The number of patients waiting longest for hospital treatment has been significantly reduced, the Minister for Health and Children, Mr Martin, announced yesterday. p
William Trevor is presented with honorary knighthood
The Irish author William Trevor was last night presented with an honorary knighthood in Britain in recognition of his services to literature. p
Rose steps down from duties
The reigning Rose of Tralee decided yesterday to withdraw from official duties for a number of weeks after being questioned by gardaí for alleged shoplifting. p
€270 taxi service for train-drivers to end
Iarnrod Éireann is to discontinue its practice of providing taxis for train-drivers between Dublin and Longford every day and running up huge bills as a new relocation programme comes into effect. p
Judge resigns as chair of abuse board
Judge Kieran O'Connor has resigned as chairman of the Residential Institutions Redress Board set up by the Oireachtas for victims of childhood abuse in Irish institutions. p

Moriarty Tribunal

Was the sealed bidding process compromised?
The Moriarty tribunal has discovered two letters it says raise questions about the integrity of the second mobile phone licence competition. Colm Keena reports. p
Lowry defends account of meeting with O'Reilly
Mr Michael Lowry has told the tribunal he stands over his account of a meeting with Sir Anthony O'Reilly in July 1995, at which the businessman allegedly told the former minister he "expected his consortium" would win the competition for the second mobile phone licence. p
Lowry met bidder 'in breach of protocol'
The former Fine Gael minister for transport, Mr Michael Lowry, held a private meeting with the head of one of the bidders for the second mobile phone licence in breach of Department protocol on such contacts, the tribunal heard. p
Desmond link to Digifone detailed
Mr Dermot Desmond became involved in the Esat Digifone consortium after he and Mr Denis O'Brien discussed the issue while travelling to a Glasgow Celtic-Liverpool football match in Glasgow on Thursday, August 10th, 1994. p
Reynolds-Motorola rumour 'mentioned twice' by Lowry
A rumour that the former Taoiseach, Mr Albert Reynolds, made an arrangement with Motorola that it would get the State's second mobile phone licence was repeated by Mr Michael Lowry on two occasions, the tribunal was told. p

Flood Tribunal

Family fails to halt inquiry into deceased FG councillor
The Flood tribunal has rejected an application by lawyers for the family of the late Cllr Tom Hand to have its investigations into the deceased Fine Gael politician brought to an end. p

In The Courts

Disabled child to get #3.75m in damages
The High Court yesterday approved a settlement of €3.75 million in damages, plus legal costs, for a permanently mentally and physically disabled three-year-old child, arising from the circumstances of his birth at the Coombe Lying-In Hospital in Dublin. The hospital admitted negligence. p
Scientology case woman tells of abortion confession
A woman who is suing the Church of Scientology told the High Court yesterday she became very distressed during a church "auditing session" in 1992 and had recounted an event that nobody else knew about her, that she had been pregnant and had had an abortion. p
Investors in pyramid scheme lose their case
Two participants in a pyramid investment scheme called "Women Empowering Women" yesterday lost their case in Dublin District Court. p
Action over Cork band road deaths is settled
An action for damages by a young woman whose two sisters - members of the Cork band, Nivita - died in a road accident three years ago, was settled at the High Court yesterday. p
Former union official is found not guilty of assaulting female garda
A former trade union general secretary and peace commissioner was cleared yesterday of assaulting a garda who intervened during a street incident involving the retired official and his sister. p
Pensioner remanded in custody on charges of inflicting 'disgraceful' cruelty on her animals
A pensioner who faces charges of inflicting cruelty on animals was remanded in custody for two days to allow her to "reflect on her situation" by a judge at Limerick District Court yesterday evening. p
Harassed woman awarded €12,000
A woman who claimed she was subjected to a campaign of bullying in her workplace after she made a complaint of sexual harassment against a member of management has been awarded more than €12,000 compensation. p
Truck driver awarded €18,000
A truck driver, who claimed he sometimes worked over 105 hours a week for a Co Wexford company before he was unfairly dismissed, has been awarded €18,000 compensation. p

In the North

Durkan urges UUP, SF to agree to talks
Sinn Féin and the Ulster Unionist Party have made small but welcome concessions to reality but have not yet accepted that comprehensive talks are the only way forward, according to the SDLP leader, Mr Mark Durkan. p
London accused of failing to co-operate with inquiry
The British government was yesterday accused of a "negligent" and "deliberate failure" to co-operate with the Bloody Sunday inquiry. p

Dail Report

'Queue-jumping' for school works to be ended
The Taoiseach has accepted that there should be an end to "political queue jumping" for school refurbishment. p
Ahern expects Croke Park to be available if bid succeeds
The Taoiseach is confident that soccer matches will be played at Croke Park if the Irish/Scottish joint bid for the European Championships in 2008 is successful. p
Cuts in community jobs places arrogant - Greens
The Government was accused of arrogance by Mr Eamon Ryan (Green Party, Dublin South) in the resumed debate on a Fine Gael motion accusing the Government of reducing the number of places in community employment schemes. p

Regional News

An Taisce criticised after it expels new members
An Taisce, the National Trust for Ireland, has discontinued the membership of a number of new members from the west of Ireland. It claims these members were "infiltrators" intent on influencing the organisation's policy on one-off housing in rural areas. p
Fishermen seek backing over EU
South and east coast fishermen have called for the "full backing of the Irish people" in the Government's battle to save the Irish Box. p
Kilkenny's water set to make a splash in Europe
A couple from Kilkenny will next week have an opportunity to put their concerns about the public water supply in Kilkenny city and the surrounding area to a committee of the European Parliament. p
Call for those in A&E for overdrinking to be fined
Members of the Western Health Board are calling for a fine to be imposed on any person admitted to an accident and emergency (A&E) department as a result of over-indulgence in alcohol. The board is also calling on the Minister for Health to introduce a ban on the advertising of alcohol on radio and television, and a ban on the sale of stimulant drinks in Ireland. p

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