ireland.com - The Irish Times

Methodists say citizenship vote is 'ill-judged'
Referendum campaign: The Methodist Church in Ireland has called on voters to reject the change proposed in the citizenship referendum. The church is the first of the four main churches to take a position on the referendum. p

Cuffe sold oil shares last year, register shows
Up to date information on TDs' and senators' ownership of property and other investments is provided in the latest register of Oireachtas members' interests. p

Cancer survival linked to geography
Patients with similar cancers and at similar stages in their illness have been getting different treatment for their conditions in different parts of the State. p

Dieters encouraged to eat meat
Dieters can improve their chances of losing weight by replacing carbohydrates with lean meat and dairy products, a leading international nutritionist told a conference in Dublin yesterday. p

Other Stories

IBEC describes lawyers' actions as 'self-serving'
In its ongoing row with the Law Society over the Personal Injuries Assessment Board (PIAB), the business and employer body, IBEC, has denounced the increase in the lodging of personal injuries cases in court as "self-serving" on the part of the legal profession. p
US expert questions Hanly findings
Increased investment is more essential in primary medical care than in the hospital sector in Ireland, a leading US expert said last night in a critical assessment of the Hanly report. p
All athletes should have a full medical, says expert
All athletes should have a full physical examination carried out by their GP to help prevent sudden death during exercise, according to a world expert on heart disease in sport. p
Saudis may lift ban on €60m annual beef trade
Ireland's €60 million annual trade in beef with Saudi Arabia could reopen soon following a clear signal that the Middle Eastern kingdom is considering lifting a BSE-related ban. p
VHI introduces dental insurance
Only 52 per cent of Irish adults have all their own teeth and only one third of people visit a dentist on a regular basis. p
Decision to give gun to Carthy defended
Barr Tribunal: Mr John Carthy could have been put at an increased risk of suicide if his psychiatrist had not supported his application for gardaí to return the gun they had confiscated from him, the Barr tribunal has heard. p
Fall in numbers sitting Leaving Cert for first time
The number of students applying to sit the Leaving Certificate for the first time this year has decreased by almost 1,300, latest figures from the State Examinations Commission (SEC) have revealed. p
OPW to sell Central Mental Hospital site
The Office of Public Works (OPW) is proposing to sell the Central Mental Hospital in Dundrum, south Co Dublin, and relocate it along with Mountjoy Prison on a greenfield site, probably in the vicinity of the M1 motorway in north Dublin. p
Dublin-based public service a 'mindset'
The Minister for Finance yesterday attacked critics of the decentralisation programme and insisted the Government was making "substantial progress" delivering benefits to the regions. p
NUI Galway plans major expansion
Entrance to NUI Galway follows a similar pattern to others such as UCC and NUI Maynooth. p

Elections2004

Politicians asked to be 'moderate' in referendum debate
Referendum Commission: Politicians should be "moderate, accurate and careful" in their comments on the referendum debate, the chairman of the Referendum Commission, Mr Justice Kearns, said yesterday. p
Court will grant work rights to illegals if law is not altered - PDs
Progressive Democrats campaign launch: The European Court of Justice will give rights to illegal immigrants to work to support their Irish-born children unless the Constitution is changed, the Progressive Democrats have warned. p
Human rights body again raises concerns over vote
Human Rights Commission: The Human Rights Commission has reiterated its concerns about the proposed citizenship referendum. p
'Separate class' of child being created
Children's Rights: Campaigners for children's rights have claimed that the Government proposal in the citizenship referendum will place the children of non-Irish, non-EU parents in a "separate class", with weaker rights than those born to Irish or EU parents. p
Allister launches blistering attack on Sinn Fein
DUP European campaign launch: The DUP candidate in the European Parliament election, Mr Jim Allister, has launched a blistering attack on Sinn Féin and its candidate, Ms Bairbre de Brún, and insisted that the central issue of this contest is whether he or Sinn Féin tops the poll. p
McCann stresses anti-war position
Campaign launch: Radical political groupings would be strengthened by the European Parliament election, Socialist Environment Alliance candidate Mr Eamon McCann predicted yesterday. p
Harsh strategy could turn election into two-horse race
DUP campaign analysis: The DUP is determined to tackle Sinn Fein head on top the poll, but it is an approach that could backfire, writes Gerry Moriarty, Northern Editor p
Pleasant exchanges break out between old enemies
On the hustings: It looked like high noon in Dawson Street yesterday, a face-off between two groups of sworn political enemies, writes Liam Reid p
Candidates vie to be first past post
On the campaign trail: Animals were playing a central role in the campaigns of Peter Cassells and Mary White this week. Frank McNally report p
Sinn Fein has chance to be county council's largest party
Council area profile/Monaghan: The future of Monaghan hospital is the biggest issue in the forthcoming local elections across a large part of this county. p
New candidates, internal feuds and party rivalries to dominate
Council area profile/Fingal: Throw in some bright new candidates, internal feuding, a left-right row, the battle of town and country, and the best description of the Fingal local election arena is "political bloodbath". p
Parties blame each other for deep recession, unemployment
Country profile/Portugal: As Portugal prepares for the Euro 2004 football championship, which will attract up to 500,000 visitors to the country in June, the opposition Socialist Party has seized on soccer as the dominant theme for its European election campaign posters. p
Election briefing
In short. . . p

In The Courts

Author given 10-year term for cocaine offence
The son of a former Ghanaian ambassador received a 10-year prison sentence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for the importation of cocaine valued at almost €400,000 from Brazil two years ago. p
Woman awarded €234,000 for back injury
A 72-year-old woman, who claims she has been "to hell and back" with pain since receiving a back injury when thrown from her seat while a passenger on a bus which hit a speed ramp in Carlow town five years ago, was awarded €234,000 and costs in her High Court action yesterday against Bus Éireann. p
Credit union gets receiver in €1.7m case
A credit union which claims it is owed €1.7 million by the operators of a Dublin licensed premises was granted a High Court order yesterday for the appointment of a receiver to the establishment. p
Consultant stole laptops to pay for costly dental work
An Italian computer consultant who stole eight laptops from the Department of Foreign Affairs and sold them to pay for expensive dental treatment has been remanded in custody for sentence on June 29th by Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. p
Judgment reserved in appeal brought by gynaecologist
The Supreme Court yesterday reserved judgment in an appeal brought by a gynaecologist against a finding of negligence by the High Court last year. p
Costs issue in Sellafield case is adjourned
The issue of costs - believed to be in the region of €l million - following a 10-year legal battle in High Court proceedings against the Attorney General and British Nuclear Fuels (BNFL) at Sellafield, Cumbria, was adjourned by Mr Justice Peart yesterday. p

In the Dail

Ahern rules out paying judge compensation
The Taoiseach again firmly ruled out paying compensation to Judge Brian Curtin. p
Issue of McCabe killers 'part of the end game'
The issue of the release of the killers of Det Garda Jerry McCabe would have to be considered in the context of a final settlement in the North, the Taoiseach has said. p
Minister rejects 'slush fund' remark
An Independent TD has claimed that sports grants to three organisations in south Kerry last year were worth more than the allocation to eight other counties. p
Minister asked to rule out Abbey site option
The Minister for the Arts, Mr O'Donoghue, should rule out "once and for all" the existing Abbey site as the location for the development of the national theatre. p
Housing record criticised
House prices had trebled under Fianna Fáil and the PDs, Labour's deputy leader, Ms Liz McManus, said. p
Saint's day is safe, Minister confirms
Dail Sketch/Michael O'Regan: Mr O'Donoghue looked at the note, shook his head vigorously and proceeded to write a reply. This was returned to Mr Pat Rabbitte, who bore a sombre expression. p

In the North

PSNI chief reacts to loyalist feud
Over 100 police officers and soldiers have been assigned to a violent loyalist paramilitary feud in Belfast, Northern Ireland's Chief Constable has said. p

Regional News

Doctor jailed for dangerous driving causing death
A doctor who was found guilty of dangerous driving causing the death of an 18-year-old student was jailed for nine months at Trim Circuit Criminal Court yesterday. p
Man who set himself on fire at solicitor's dies
A father of three who suffered severe burns when he set himself on fire in a solicitor's office in Skibbereen, Co Cork on Monday has died. p
Changed industrial school to represent Ireland
The transformation of the once-notorious industrial school in Letterfrack, Co Galway, into a thriving community-based furniture college is to to be Ireland's entry at the Venice Biennale this autumn. p
Two admit having ecstasy tablets
A man and a woman pleaded guilty in Carrickmacross District Court yesterday to possession of ecstasy tablets, following a raid by gardaí in Ballybay, Co Monaghan. p
Sligo man pleads guilty to having explosives
A Sligo man pleaded guilty at the Special Criminal Court yesterday to having home-made explosives at his home last year. p
Shannon air traffic control centre opened
The newly re-equipped air traffic control centre at Shannon Airport was officially opened yesterday. p
Marine group calls new rules on wearing lifejackets 'draconian'
The Irish Marine Federation has criticised as "draconian" the Government's proposed new rules on compulsory use of lifejackets on small pleasure craft. p

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