ireland.com - The Irish Times

Arrests in Spain may have murder link
Spanish police investigating the murder of Dubliner Paddy Doyle were last night questioning eight men, including one Irish national, after a seizure of cocaine valued at €9.2 million. p

Crumlin-Drimnagh gang feud: the killings
At least ten people have been killed in the Crumlin-Drimnagh gang feud. p

Start of challenge to laws on wage rates
A High Court challenge to the constitutionality of laws under which a statutory minimum wage and working conditions were fixed for some 25,000 hotel workers outside Dublin and Cork began yesterday. p

Garda launches inquiry over Ó Searcaigh documentary
The controversy over a documentary about poet Cathal Ó Searcaigh intensified yesterday as the Garda Press Office confirmed that an investigation was under way into the case. p

Other Stories

Dispute over documents regrettable, says bishop
"It is sad when people you respect are in serious disagreement with each other," the Bishop of Clonfert, Most Rev John Kirby said yesterday. p
Council backs €275m mixed-use project at Portlaoise GAA club
A €275 million retail, residential and leisure development for Portlaoise GAA club grounds has been granted planning permission by Laois County Council. p
Dempsey derails ambitious CIÉ plan and opts for new Luas line
Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey last night informed CIÉ that it will have to drop ambitious plans for a heavy rail hub at Broadstone in Dublin in favour of a Luas line under the aegis of the Rail Procurement Agency (RPA), The Irish Times has established. p
O'Keeffe wants to withdraw FF resignation
Ned O'Keeffe has written to Fianna Fáil applying for readmission to the parliamentary party a little over two months after resigning in protest at the Government's health policies. p
Harney's attendance at Super Bowl on US trip defended
The Minister for Health, Mary Harney, attended the Super Bowl, the highlight of the American Football year, in Phoenix, Arizona, on Sunday night during a week-long trip to the United States for meetings with healthcare specialists in three cities. p
Martin admits giving incorrect jobless data
Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Micheál Martin has acknowledged giving incorrect information to the Dáil on Ireland's unemployment level. p
Doubts on effect of ban on cigarette displays
The Government's proposed ban on the display of cigarettes in shops will have no effect on the number of people smoking, it has been claimed. p
Irish heart attack deaths still high
Irish people aged 45 to 74 experience a high death rate from heart attack compared with those living in other western European states, research published this morning suggests. p
More smokers likely to quit today
More people are expected to try to stop smoking today, National No Smoking Day, than in previous years, because Ash Wednesday falls so early in the year, according to anti-smoking campaigners. p
Council to change social housing rules
Dublin City Council plans to change its system for allocating social housing in a move that will prioritise single parents, but will stop adult children from automatically inheriting their parent's council flat or house. p
Alcohol 'credits' card for young people proposed
Young people aged 18 to 25 should be issued with alcohol "credits" on an electronic card as a way of controlling binge and anti-social drinking, according to the group representing convenience stores. p
Call for under-18s to be sent to buy drink in 'sting' move
Teenagers should be sent into pubs and off-licences to buy alcohol in an attempt to bring prosecutions for under-age drinking, the head of the Government's advisory group on alcohol has said. p
Floral prints in bloom at Brown Thomas spring show
Floral prints were in full bloom yesterday at Brown Thomas's spring show, held for private clients at the Shelbourne Hotel in Dublin. p
An Post to issue Ulster planter stamps
The Government has decided to mark the 400th anniversary next year of the Plantation of Ulster by English and Scottish Protestants by issuing two special stamps from An Post. p
Delegates debate education reform, lipgloss
Clearly, this was an unusual meeting of Dáil representatives: delegates wore Ugg boots, the table was littered with empty Coke and Sprite bottles, and a discussion about the US election segued into an argument about the merits of Mac Oyster Girl lipgloss. p
Authority denies it put safety of vessels at risk
The Sea Fisheries Protection Authority has denied its officers have been putting the safety of fishing vessels at risk when enforcing EU landing rules. p
Employer response to bereaved staff urged
When an employee returns to work after a bereavement their loss should be acknowledged by their employer, an American expert in dealing with grief told a seminar in Dublin yesterday. p
Developer's 'Louvre' development to offer concierge service of hotel
First Seán Dunne promised to bring Knightsbridge to Ballsbridge. Now a northside developer is aiming to bring Paris to Clontarf with the launch of an apartment complex based loosely on the Louvre, with a copy of IM Pei's famous glass pyramid as its centrepiece. p
New Bill to help student grant system
The new Student Support Bill published yesterday should make it easier for third-level students to secure grant payments. p
Judge awards widow €1m cottage
A judge told a 62-year-old widow yesterday she was the legal owner of a semi-detached cottage and field at Kilternan, Co Dublin, worth more than €1 million. p
Hillier appointed to chamber choir
The National Chamber Choir has announced the appointment of internationally celebrated English conductor Paul Hillier (58) to the positions of artistic director and chief conductor. p
Mentors will encourage young to produce artisan food
Mentors should be used to teach younger people how to produce artisan food, the inaugural meeting of the Artisan Industry Committee was told yesterday. p
In Short
A round-up of today's other stories in brief. p

In the Courts

Aran islander stabbed his brother in land row
A 43-year-old Aran islander who cut his brother four times with a fish knife following an ongoing dispute over land was given the benefit of the Probation Act - which does not record a conviction - at Galway District Court this week. p
Two Mayo solicitors censured and fined €25,000
Tribunal finds pair guilty of misconduct p
Prostitute alleges man raped her and stole €1,200
A Croatian prostitute has alleged a Waterford man claiming to be a garda raped her in a hotel and threatened to throw her out the window before leaving with €1,200 of her money. p
Man guilty of babysitter's rape
A Roscommon man has been convicted of raping a babysitter more than two decades ago. p
Serial sex offender's six-year sentence halved by appeal court
The Court of Criminal Appeal has halved from six years to three years a sentence imposed on a serial sex offender for sexually assaulting a young Japanese woman. p
Man who raped sister is jailed for eight years
A Kildare man who raped his teenage sister has been jailed for eight years by Mr Justice Paul Carney at the Central Criminal Court. p
In Short
A round-up of today's other stories in brief. p

Mahon Tribunal

Stadium plan was just a ruse, says Dunlop
Cork developer Owen O'Callaghan sought State support for a national stadium at Neilstown, west Dublin, when Albert Reynolds became taoiseach in February 1992. p
TD's statement found in car park
A statement by Fine Gael TD Olivia Mitchell relating to allegations raised at the Mahon tribunal was found in the grounds of Leinster House in 2004, the tribunal was told yesterday. p

Lisbon Treaty debate

Ahern defends handling of economic downturn
Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny's criticism of the Government's handling of the economy drew a sharp response from the Taoiseach. p
Forum's first meeting hears strong criticism of Lisbon Treaty
Nobody should be "guilted" into voting for the Lisbon Treaty, said a speaker from the floor at a meeting organised by the National Forum on Europe in the Dublin suburb of Blanchardstown last night. p
SF begins intensive campaign on treaty
Sinn Féin will mount a general election-style campaign against the Lisbon Treaty in all 43 constituencies but with party leader Gerry Adams playing a much less prominent role than in previous Southern political drives. p

In the Dáil

Irish 'gang wars' exported to Spain - Gilmore
Ireland appears to have exported its "gang wars" to Spain, Labour leader Eamon Gilmore suggested in the Dáil yesterday, in the wake of the murder of a known Dublin drug dealer on the Costa Del Sol on Monday. p
Cystic fibrosis services 'disgraceful'
There were no specialist units, no isolation beds or en-suites for cystic fibrosis sufferers, Fine Gael health spokesman Dr James Reilly told the Dáil last night. p
Lull in dailyDáil battles for Stupor Tuesday
It was nice to get away to the Dáil yesterday and escape from politics for a while. p
Minister must 'take responsibility'
Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey has told the Dáil he will never take responsibility for road accidents that occur because motorists do not obey traffic laws. p
Integrated ticketing to begin next year
Integrated ticketing will begin in 2009 on Dublin Bus, Luas and the private operator Morton's Coaches but it could be up to a year later before it is extended to Iarnród Éireann, Dart, commuter services and Bus Éireann, the Dáil has been told. p
Talks on new pay deal to intensify - Ahern
Discussions on a new national pay deal will intensify next month, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern told the Dáil. p

Regional News

Opponents of Cashel hotel project to appeal planning ruling
A controversial proposal to build a five-storey, 83-bedroom hotel with an underground car park on land formerly owned by the Presentation Order of nuns in Cashel, Co Tipperary, is to be appealed to An Bord Pleanála following a decision by the town council to grant planning permission. p
Concern over water treatment plan
Concerns in Westport at the potential damaging environmental effect of leachate - a toxic liquid produced when water filters through landfill waste - being pumped into Clew Bay, Co Mayo, were expressed at a Bord Pleanála oral hearing in Westport yesterday. p
Hundreds attend funeral of Clare man
Hundreds of mourners gathered at St Senan's Church, Clonlara, Co Clare, yesterday for the funeral of 35-year-old William Quane, who was killed in a crash last Saturday on his way to the Ireland-Italy rugby international in Dublin. Four people died when two cars travelling in opposite directions collided. p

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