ireland.com - The Irish Times

Hospital bug killed patient, inquest hears
A Dublin man contracted MRSA in hospital and died as a result, an inquest has heard. Thomas Murdiff (53), Butterfield Grove, Athboy, Co Meath, died on December 14th, 2004, at the Mater hospital after contracting MRSA. p

Nally says he prays for man he shot dead
As he packed his bags in a Dublin hotel yesterday, Pádraig Nally said he often thinks of John Ward, the man he shot dead more than two years ago, and regularly prays for him. "I think of what happened all the time. It is always on my mind," Mr Nally said at O'Shea's Merchant Hotel. p

Hassan pleads guilty to abducting children
The former partner of Latvian woman Baiba Saulite, who was shot dead at her home in Dublin in November, will be sentenced next week at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for the abduction of their children. p

Other Stories

Daughter of woman murdered 13 years ago appeals for help to find her mother's killer
The daughter of a woman who was murdered 13 years ago in the midlands has launched an appeal for help to find her mother's killer. p
Minister urges judges to apply full force of law
Minister for Justice Michael McDowell yesterday called for a change of attitude among the judiciary to ensure that legislation on bail and serious drug offences is implemented, in keeping with the purpose for which it was introduced. p
Graduation of first 36 reservists 'a new chapter' for Garda
The establishment of the Garda Reserve marks the commencement of a new and exciting chapter of policing in the Republic, said Minister for Justice Michael McDowell yesterday as he congratulated the first 36 members of the reserve force to graduate. p
Mandatory sentencing and bail applications: how they work now
Mandatory sentencing: Under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act (1999), any person convicted of an offence related to the possession of drugs with a value of €13,000 or more should receive a mandatory sentence of 10 years or more. p
80,000 Irish-made frozen products withdrawn
An estimated 80,000 frozen ready meals prepared by an Irish company have been withdrawn from shops and supermarkets in Ireland and Britain after some were found to be contaminated with glass. p
Big rise in use of cocaine - drug group
An increasing number of drug treatment centres are seeing clients for whom cocaine is the main problem drug, according to the umbrella group Citywide. p
Taoiseach's date with tribunal delayed
The date for the Taoiseach's appearance at the Mahon tribunal, to respond to allegations made by developer Tom Gilmartin about payments in the early 1990s, has been put back, following a hearing before three Supreme Court judges yesterday. p
Ahern opposes bilateral deal with Russia
Ireland must not accept Russian demands for a one-to-one deal to protect millions of euro worth of Irish beef sales, regardless of the importance of the contract, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has warned. p
HSE finds syringes in open area of nursing home
Health Service Executive (HSE) officials who visited a nursing home in Co Wicklow in October found that syringes were stored in an open area and fire escape doors on the building's top and middle floors were not locked. p
FF ends selection saga in Wicklow and confirms three candidates
The saga over who Fianna Fáil will include on the party ticket for the general election in the Wicklow constituency ended yesterday with confirmation that two local councillors have been selected to run alongside sitting TD, Minister for the Environment, Dick Roche. p
At-risk groups advised to get flu shots
The first case of flu this season was detected in the past week, according to the national Health Protection Surveillance Centre. p
Ballot urged on plan to offset house value against nursing home
Seanad report: The proposal to allow the State collect part of the value of older people's homes to offset the cost of their nursing home care should be put to the people in a referendum, Terry Leyden (FF) said. p
Surfers to seek meeting with rescue service over fines row
Surfer representatives are to seek a meeting with the Irish Marine Search and Rescue Committee (IMSRC) over its threat to have penalties imposed on three surfers who refused assistance from the Coast Guard last month. p
€34,500 tribunal award for dismissal
A stone-cutter who was fired after he had a row with his employer's son-in-law has been awarded €34,500 compensation by an Employment Appeals Tribunal. p
Work on M50 to cause delays
Motorists using the M50 can expect delays over the weekend and next week while improvement work is carried out. p
Councillors get increase in tax-free expenses
An increase in the tax-free expenses that county, city and town councillors can claim each year was announced yesterday by Minister for the Environment Dick Roche. p
Garda interview continued despite letter from hospital
Morris tribunal: A retired detective superintendent said he felt it was okay to continue with the questioning of a Donegal publican in Garda custody after he received a letter from a hospital consultant saying further interrogation would not be in his best interests because of his medical condition. p
Kilkenny carol singers hope to set a new record
Kilkenny is hoping to stage the world's biggest Christmas carol-singing service tomorrow. p
In Short
A roundup of today's other news stories in brief p

NallyCase

No celebrations for Mayo homecoming
There would be no celebrations, no hero's welcome. Such was the mood in south Mayo last night as Pádraig Nally headed home to his farm at Funshinagh outside Cross after Thursday's acquittal for manslaughter in the Central Criminal Court. p
Family feels it was denied justice
A brother of the man shot dead by Mayo farmer Pádraig Nally claimed yesterday it was impossible for a Traveller to get a fair trial in Ireland. p
Correction
Pádraig Nally Section 25 (4) of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 provides that a court "shall cause the verdict of the jury to be taken in such a way that, where the verdict is one of not guilty, it shall not be indicated whether the verdict was unanimous or by a majority". p

In the Courts

Equality body advises in case taken by ill Traveller couple
The Equality Authority has made submissions in a case before the High Court involving an elderly Traveller couple in chronic ill-health. p
Protester in court over FAI incident
A man appeared in court yesterday charged in connection with a protest he made at the Football Association of Ireland offices on Wednesday last. p
Supreme Court refuses bail to murder accused
A Co Clare man charged with the murder of Limerick nightclub doorman Brian Fitzgerald in the city four years ago has been refused bail by the Supreme Court. p
New forensics in Wheelock case 'may be significant'
Independent forensic analysis of the clothes of a man who died following an incident in Garda custody has raised "some cause for concern" and may be significant, a lawyer for his family told the Dublin City Coroner's Court. p
Commuter threw Irishman under train
A man has admitted killing an Irish commuter in London by throwing him in front of an Underground train during the rush hour. p
In Short
A roundup of today's other court stories in brief p

In the North

Son and daughter-in-law deny killing pensioner
The son and daughter-in-law of a pensioner murdered earlier this year near the Border yesterday denied the killing. p
Alliance Party opts for Chinese candidate
The Alliance Party has chosen a Chinese woman as one of its candidates in the NI Assembly elections scheduled for March 7th next year. p
NI children's commissioner named
Prominent SDLP politician Patricia Lewsley has been appointed the North's Commissioner for Children and Young People to replace the late Nigel Williams. p
Coroner to investigate hospital baby deaths
Senior coroner for Northern Ireland John Leckey is to investigate the deaths of four babies, all aged under six months, which occurred over a seven-week period at Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry earlier this year. p
NI drink drivers targeted
More than 100 drink-drivers a week are being caught by police during the run-up to Christmas in Northern Ireland. p
Armagh solicitor on fraud conviction must pay back over £66,000
A jailed Co Armagh solicitor who laundered money for a cross-Border oil smuggler must pay back more than £66,000 (€98,500), a court has ruled. p

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