In Short

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Founder of Kennys of Galway dies

Maureen Kenny, founder of Kennys bookshop in Galway, has died. Mrs Kenny and her husband, the late Des Kenny, founded the bookshop in 1940; they lived behind the premises in Galway's High Street for the first four years of their marriage.

When they moved to Salthill, they opened an art gallery in their home, which was later relocated to Middle Street behind the bookshop. Mrs Kenny (nee Canning) was from Mohill, Co Leitrim, and attended university in Galway where she met her husband.

She received honorary degrees from NUI Galway and from the National Council for Education Awards.

In 1994, Kennys bookshop became only the second of its kind in the world to begin selling on-line. Early in 2005, Mrs Kenny retired after 65 years behind the counter, but gave her blessing to a family decision to transfer most of its book business to the internet.

The company maintains a bookbinding and book export premises in Liosbán, while the Kenny art gallery is located in the former bookshop in High Street.

Charged man may go to Lourdes

A man facing charges connected to the murder of a couple who were set on fire was yesterday granted permission by the High Court in Belfast to go on a pilgrimage to Lourdes.

Colum Smith (59) allegedly helped suspects to avoid police following the killing of Thomas McClatchey and Lisa O'Hare in Tassagh, Keady, Co Armagh.

The pair were beaten and doused in petrol before being set alight in November 2006. A man from Newry has been charged with their murders.

Mr Smith, Mourneview, Mowhan, Armagh, is accused of impeding apprehension. Although already released on £5,000 bail, the court was told he wanted to vary those conditions to accompany his wife on a six-day pilgrimage in May.

Returning his passport Mr Justice Hart said that if Mr Smith did not abide by the conditions, it would cause "a great deal of distress and embarrassment to people who have put their trust in the applicant".

Engineer to face contract trial

A former senior executive engineer with Waterford County Council has been returned for trial on a charge relating to the awarding of a council contract for the laying of kerbing in Dungarvan.

Joseph Brennan, An Rinn, Dungarvan, Co Waterford, was first charged in January with an offence under section 6 of Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act.

The state alleges that in November 2002 at Waterford County Council offices in Dungarvan, Mr Brennan dishonestly by deception induced Joe O'Flaherty to award a kerbing contract to David O'Riordan with the intention of making gain for Mr O'Riordan.

At Dungarvan District Court yesterday, Judge Terence Finn remanded Mr Brennan on continuing bail to appear at Waterford Circuit Criminal Court in April.

Prisoner dies in Limerick jail

An investigation is under way yesterday following the death of a 30-year-old prisoner at Limerick jail. Early indications are that his death was not suspicious, however gardaí are investigating.

Prison officers found the man unconscious at 9.30pm on Tuesday after the alarm was raised by his cellmate. He was transferred to the Mid Western Regional Hospital where he died a short time later. Foul play is not suspected.

Tralee death not foul play

Gardaí have ruled out foul play in the death of a man found collapsed in a house in Tralee, Co Kerry, earlier this week.

Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster found that Stephen Long (45), Glasheen, Cork, died as a result of bronchial pneumonia following a fall and the consumption of various substances.

© 2008 The Irish Times

This article appears in the print edition of the Irish Times