Cavan General Hospital consultant surgeon William P Joyce yesterday settled his High Court claim against the Minister for Health and members of a committee set up to inquire into a proposal to remove him from office.
The court had been told that Dr Joyce was seeking general damages arising from the alleged failure of the committee and a claim that the surgeon's rights had been breached. The Minister and the committee denied Dr Joyce's claims.
Our report of the case in yesterday's publication omitted to publish that the committee of inquiry, in its defence, pleaded that "at all material times when the committee actually sat the chairman was fully fit, competent and capable of performing his duties and at all material times did perform those duties in a competent and proper manner, unaffected by any health difficulties which he had".
Two treated after Dublin hotel fire
Two people were treated for smoke inhalation last night following a fire in a hotel in Dublin's city centre. At about 7.30pm three units of Dublin Fire Brigade dealt with a fourth floor fire in the Morrison Hotel, Ormond Quay.
The hotel, fully booked for the St Patrick's Day festival, had to be evacuated and three fire fighters brought the fire under control.
Two members of staff were treated at the scene for smoke inhalation.
Investigation into robbery continues
Gardaí investigating the abduction of a family in Dublin and the robbery of over €2 million from a Securicor van this week were continuing house-to-house inquiries yesterday.
The 100-strong investigative team has already collected dozens of statements, along with forensic evidence from the various crime scenes.
Guilty plea to cocaine charge
A Liberian national who imported cocaine valued €85,000 in capsules he swallowed before boarding a flight from South America has been jailed for five years by Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
John Prince (29), born in Liberia but now from Georgetown, Guyana, pleaded guilty to possession of over 1.2 kilos of cocaine for sale or supply at Dublin airport on May 7th, 2004.
SA man jailed for importing drugs
A South African who imported almost €20,000 worth of cocaine into Dublin, contained within 35 capsules he swallowed in Sao Paolo preceding his flight to Ireland, has been jailed for four years.
Andries Van Wyk (41), from Johannesburg, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to importing the cocaine into Dublin on June 26th, 2004.
Man released in O'Reilly case
The man who was arrested on Tuesday in connection with the investigation into the murder of Rachel O'Reilly in north Co Dublin last October was released last night from Balbriggan Garda Station.
Youth remanded for being drunk
A Coolock youth was remanded in custody yesterday after he turned up drunk for his hearing in the Children's Court. The youth (17) is charged with unlawful passage in a stolen car and had pleaded not guilty to the offence.