A round-up of today's other court stories in brief
Extradition decision reserved
The High Court has reserved its decision on whether the extradition to Belgium of an aviation broker, where he is wanted on drugs charges, can be deferred to first allow criminal proceedings be brought against him here.
After hearing that the DPP intends taking criminal proceedings against John Kinsella, who has already been charged by the Belgian authorities in connection with a seizure of heroin valued at €10 million, Mr Justice Michael Peart reserved judgment on whether the issue of a European extradition warrant should be adjourned to allow a trial here first.
He would give judgment on June 6th and remanded Mr Kinsella (36) Cairn Wood, Johnstown, Navan, Co Meath, in custody.
A former national boxing champion, he is charged with conspiracy to import controlled drugs under the Misuse of Drugs Act.
Skibbereen arson attacks conviction
A man has been remanded in custody after his conviction for arson attacks which caused hundreds of thousands of euro worth of damage in Skibbereen in West Cork last year.
Vladamir Raspopov (34), a Moldovan national, North Pope's Quay, Cork, was convicted of arson by a jury at Cork Circuit Criminal Court. Raspopov had denied committing arson at five businesses in Skibbereen on April 9th, 2006.
After a six-day trial, the jury took more than three hours to to find Raspopov guilty. Judge Con Murphy remanded him in custody for sentence to appear at Cork Circuit Criminal Court on June 20th.
Attempted murder trial nears end
A jury trying two men accused of attempting to murder members of a Traveller family will hear closing speeches from legal counsel in the Central Criminal Court today.
Martin (31) and Patrick McDonagh (42) Dunsink Lane, Finglas, Dublin, have pleaded not guilty to the attempted murder of Robert, John and Patrick Gavin at St Dominic's Park, Belcamp Lane, Coolock, on New Year's Day 2005.
They have also pleaded not guilty to possession of a sawn off-shotgun and intentionally or recklessly causing harm to Robert Gavin. The families were feuding over a damaged caravan, the court heard.
Love Ulster riot prison sentence
A former Moldovan trainee police officer has been given a one-year sentence for burglary of two Dublin city centre shops during the Love Ulster riot last year. Ion Brodescu (24), Summerhill, Dublin, told gardaí he had kicked a shop glass door to make sure it would not fall on anyone.
He pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to burglary at the Schuh and Footlocker shops on O'Connell Street on February 25th, 2006.
Eight years for robbery with knife
A drug-crazed robber who lunged at a garda with a knife during a service station raid has been given eight years in prison in consecutive sentences at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Thomas Cassin (36), Millbrook Road, Kilbarrack, was on bail for an earlier robbery, in which a hatchet had been wielded at staff who chased him and an accomplice, when he lunged at Garda Alan Flaherty with the knife at the Maxol station, Artane, on April 18th, 2006.