A round-up of today's other stories in brief.
Gardaí wait to speak to man over Cork killing
Gardaí are hoping to be given permission by doctors to speak to an injured man after they upgraded their inquiry into the death of a 30-year-old woman in west Cork to a murder investigation following the completion of a postmortem examination.
Officers are preparing to speak to the man about the circumstances of the death of mother of three Rose Patterson, whose body was found with multiple stab wounds at his flat at Connolly Street in Clonakilty at about 11.40am on Thursday.
A postmortem examination on Ms Patterson's body by Deputy State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster yesterday revealed that her injuries were consistent with her being attacked by another person. The man, who was found unconscious in the flat with injuries, remained in a stable condition yesterday at Cork University Hospital, where he awaits surgery.
Ms Patterson's three children, Naomi, who was eight on Thursday, Veronica (5) and Firhan (18 months), are being cared for by relatives. Clonakilty curate Fr Gerard Galvin, who knew Ms Patterson, described her as "a very gentle person" and said that prayers had been said for her and for the children at Masses in Clonakilty yesterday morning.
Motorcyclist dies after collision with car on Limerick road
A male motorcyclist died yesterday after his bike collided with a car at Reens, Ardagh, Co Limerick.
The collision occurred at 3.15pm on the N21, the main Limerick to Killarney road.
Four hundred households get clean water after six-year wait
A six-year wait for a reliable, clean water supply ended for hundreds of residents in Co Limerick yesterday when they were finally connected to a mains water supply. Since 2001, residents in the Ballyshonick area of Co Limerick have been forced to boil water for brushing teeth and drinking due to ongoing concerns about water quality.
The residents were regularly served with "boil" and "unfit" notices by Limerick County Council and had been awaiting the interconnection of the Askeaton and Pallaskenry schemes. Last November, a connection of another section of that scheme, at Kildimo, was halted as locals protested that they wanted to retain the existing supply.
However, the council stated yesterday that water taken from the river Deele for this main supply is tested according to international standards. Some 400 houses were connected yesterday from Ballyshonick to Pallaskenry, but 400 more in the Kildimo area are still awaiting connection, which the council insists will happen. Teenage boy dies from meningitis
A teenage boy died yesterday from meningitis, shortly after being admitted to Portiuncula Hospital in Ballinasloe, Co Galway.
A spokeswoman for the Health Service Executive West said: "A patient in Portiuncula Hospital has died of suspected blood poisoning due to the meningococcal bacteria early this morning."
The victim was a male teenager from Co Galway.
There are no other suspected cases of the deadly condition.
The Health Protection Surveillance Centre says there are two types of meningitis, bacterial and viral.
The symptoms of the bacterial strain for adults and older children include a temperature, headache, stiff neck, nausea, dislike of bright lights, drowsiness and joint or muscle pain. Adults and babies may also develop a rash.
Four men charged in arson attack
Four men appeared in Birr District Court yesterday in connection with an alleged arson attack in Athlone, Co Westmeath, on Wednesday morning. Petrol bombs were thrown into a house in Woodland Grove, and a woman and her child were rescued by gardaí.
William O'Neill and Raymond O'Neill, both of Willow Park, Athlone, and PJ O'Neill of Battery Heights in Athlone were charged with arson.
Patrick Kelly (29) of Portlaoise was charged with criminal damage and with threatening to kill someone.
Horse sport body gets new CEO
Horse Sport Ireland, the new agency responsible for governing the national sport horse industry, has announced its chief executive officer.
Damian McDonald is to leave his post as CEO of Macra na Feirme to take on the new role with an annual salary said to be €120,000.
Mr McDonald (35) has been with Macra na Feirme for the past six years, originally as agricultural policy officer and then as chief executive.
Horse Sport Ireland was launched by Minister for Sport John O'Donoghue in November last year to deal with the breeding, sport and leisure sides of the industry.
New editor for 'Connacht Tribune'
The new group editor of the Connacht Tribunein Galway has been appointed to succeed the current editor, John Cunningham, on his retirement in June.
Dave O'Connell, currently group editor with the Westmeath Examinergroup, a native of Oughterard, Co Galway, began his career at the Connacht Tribunein 1983 before moving to the Cork Examiner.
Rugby stadium case put back
A legal challenge to the Irish Rugby Football Union's plans for demolition and redevelopment of the Lansdowne Road stadium was adjourned at the High Court yesterday.
The challenge is being brought by Wanderers Rugby Club, Merrion Road, Dublin 4, which has a clubhouse in the stadium.
Man charged with sexual assault
A man has been charged in connection with the sexual assault in north Dublin on a middle-aged woman in her home. The attack took place last week.
The alleged attacker, who is in his early 30s and lives near the woman, entered her home in the Coolock area and sexually and physically assaulted her.