Today's other courts stories in brief
Court told Stone planned 'something big'
A TV cameraman claimed that Michael Stone told him he was planning "to do something big for devolution day". The allegation came at the Belfast Crown Court trial of Stone (53) as judge Mr Justice Deeny watched unedited media coverage of the incident at Parliament Building Stormont on November 24th, 2006, the first day of the new devolved government.
Stone, of no fixed address, denies attempting to murder Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness as well as 12 other charges of possessing nail and pipe bombs with intent, possessing three knives, an axe and a garotte and having an imitation firearm with intent to commit an offence.
Stone claims the incident was not an attack but was part of an artistic performance.
The footage, recorded by an RTÉ cameraman, began with Stone struggling with two security guards at the revolving doors of Stormont but then, as journalists enter a side corridor, an unidentified ITN cameraman is heard saying to others: "It's an art thing, he told me about it. It's supposedly an art thing he is doing."
Gardaí deny tip-off on seizure
Gardaí have denied acting on a tip-off when they searched an articulated truck near the Border and found over three million cigarettes concealed inside rolls of carpet. The trial at Dundalk Circuit Criminal Court heard that a detective garda searched the lorry because he thought it was parked in an unusual place.
Alan Davenport (48), Sycamore Park, Cavanleck, Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh denies charges of evading the excise duties on the cigarettes, of attempting to evade paying the excise duties and of delivering tobacco products that did not have tax stamps. All offences are alleged to have taken place at Carnbeg, Kilcurry, Dundalk on November 28th, 2003. The trial continues today.
'Marlo' inquest adjourned
An inquest into the death of gangland figure Martin "Marlo" Hyland was adjourned for nine months at Dublin County Coroner's Court yesterday due to Garda investigations. There have been no charges in relation to Hyland's death and Garda inquiries are ongoing.
Hyland (39), was shot dead as he slept in the home of a relative in Scribblestown Park, Finglas on December 12th, 2006.
Apprentice plumber, Anthony Campbell (20), St Michans Flats, Dublin, who was working in the house at the time, was also shot dead because he witnessed the crime.
Inquest told man contracted MRSA
A young Polish man spent a year in a coma in a Dublin hospital after a cocaine overdose where he contracted the hospital acquired infection MRSA, an inquest has heard.
Witold Ruczynski (34) died of respiratory problems due to bronchitis at Shannabay Nursing Home, Bray, Co Wicklow on September 4th last, Dublin County Coroner's Court heard.
The man was admitted to the nursing home from St James's Hospital just two weeks prior to his death and had MRSA at the time. A verdict of death by misadventure complicated by a hospital acquired infection, was recorded by coroner Dr Kieran Geraghty.
Mother guilty of sexual assault
A 28-YEAR old mother-of-three was yesterday found guilty of sexually assaulting her young daughter. The Co Antrim woman, who cannot be named, was also found guilty by a jury at Belfast Crown Court of child cruelty. She will be sentenced next month and must join the register of sex offenders.