More news in brief.
Garda Press Office plans postponed
Plans to civilianise the Garda Press Office have been postponed pending talks between the Garda representative associations and senior management.
All seven members of the press office of Garda rank were to be assigned to other duties on a phased basis from Monday and their positions filled by civil servants.
These would have operated under four Garda sergeants, an inspector and a superintendent.
It would have been the first time in the history of the press office, which is based at Garda Headquarters, Phoenix Park, Dublin, that civilians would have fielded queries from the media.
However, the plan has now been put on hold pending the outcome of talks in 10 days.
It is understood some members of the press office are unhappy about plans for their transfer to other posts.
Man found unconscious
Gardaí are appealing for witnesses after a man was found unconscious in Blanchardstown, Co Dublin, on Thursday afternoon. He was found with a head injury in Old Corduff Lane, off Main Street .
He remains unconscious at Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown.
Man dies after traffic collision
A man who was injured in a traffic collision on Wednesday has died from his injuries. Cornelius Brosnan, Annascaul, Co Kerry died at Kerry General Hospital yesterday.
Mr Brosnan (56) received serious injuries when the vehicle he was driving was involved in a collision with another vehicle at about 10.40am at Ballinsteenig, Lispole.
Norwegian tourist still in coma
A Norwegian tourist who was assaulted last Sunday in Dublin is still in a coma. Andreas Nagelsett (34), suffered serious head injuries after he was attacked at about 9.30pm at Great Strand Street near Ormond Quay.
He was taken to the Mater hospital, where he remained in intensive care last night. His family are keeping a vigil by his bedside.
GAA footballer refused costs
A GAA footballer who was acquitted by a jury of assaulting an opposing team member has been refused his costs for an earlier trial in which the jury was unable to reach a verdict.
Ronan Mullins (31), Wheatfield Road, Palmerstown, Dublin, was found not guilty in the second trial in January of assaulting Damian Flanagan of Fingal Ravens at Glenaulin Park, Palmerstown, on June 19th, 2003. Judge Michael White said the court had discretion to award costs but refused the application.
Search suspended for fisherman
The Coast Guard has suspended its search for the crewman reported missing from a French fishing vessel off the southeast coast two days ago.
The 36-year-old man, who has not been named, is believed to have fallen from the deck of the Larche 52km south of Dunmore East, Co Waterford, on Thursday.
Meanwhile, the body recovered from the sea near Youghal, Co Cork, on Thursday is believed to be that of a man who went missing in Cork city.
McDowell waits on Defamation Bill
Tánaiste Michael McDowell said yesterday he hoped that the Defamation Bill would pass through the Dáil before the end of the summer, despite its slow progress through the Seanad.
Mr McDowell said the Bill's passage through the Seanad was slower than he thought it would be, but he could not force Senators to "go at a faster rate".
It was still his aim to bring it into law before the summer.