Other regional news in brief
Conspiracy trial hears legal argument
The trial of a Clare woman and a Las Vegas poker dealer accused of organising the contract killing of the woman's partner and his two sons has continued in legal argument. Sharon Collins (45), of Ballybeg House, Kildysart Road, Ennis, and Essam Eid (52), an Egyptian man with a Las Vegas address, have pleaded not guilty to conspiring to kill PJ, Robert and Niall Howard between August 1st, 2006, and September 26th, 2006. Ms Collins also denies hiring Mr Eid to shoot the three men.
Man seriously hurt after fall
The Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed yesterday that consular assistance was being provided to the family of a 24-year-old Kerry man who is said to be fighting for his life in a French hospital after falling from a balcony while watching the Monaco Grand Prix at the weekend.
Named in the local media yesterday, Seán Geaney, from Castleisland, Co Kerry, apparently fell 15 feet from scaffolding which he had climbed to view the Formula One race. He sustained severe head injuries.
Helicopter used to fight fire
A helicopter was used yesterday to support ground crews fighting a major gorse, heather and forest fire in north Mayo. The helicopter was requisitioned by Coillte Teoranta, the State Forestry Board, to help fight the fire which started on Sunday in the townland of Gortlatilla between Glenamoy and Belderrig.
Fire units from Belmullet and Crossmolina are operating a 24-hour rota to tackle the fire which has already destroyed several forestry plantations.
Mayo's chief fire officer, Séamus Murphy, said last evening that although a number of houses had been affected by smoke, the buildings were in no immediate danger.
Three remanded in robbery trial
A father and son along with a third man have been returned for trial by judge and jury on separate charges following an extensive Garda investigation into the £26 million Northern Bank robbery in 2004.
Financial adviser Timothy Cunningham snr (59), Woodbine Lodge, Farran, Co Cork, faces a total of 10 charges of money laundering including one of possessing more than £3 million.
Mr Cunningham snr is also charged with transferring various sums of money and vehicles to a total value of £605,000 to a number of people.
Timothy John Cunningham jnr (33) Church View, Farran, Co Cork, is facing two charges including possessing £3,010,380 between December 20th, 2004, and February 16th, 2005. He is also charged with transferring £200,000 to Dan Joe Guerin on January 21st, 2005.
A third man, Don Blayney (48), Cnoc Abhainn, Old Church Road, Passage West, Cork, is charged with possessing 220 live rounds of ammunition in Passage on February 18th, 2005.
Judge Uinsinn Mac Gruairc remanded all three men on continuing bail to appear at Cork Circuit Criminal Court on June 3rd.
Gardaí arrest three in Limerick
Two men and one woman were arrested in Limerick city yesterday as part of an investigation into burglary and car theft. The men, aged 17 and 23, and the 23-year-old woman were arrested in Rosbrien.
The 17-year-old was being detained for questioning at Cahir Garda station last night while the two others were being held at Nenagh.
Detectives from Tipperary and Waterford, assisted by gardaí from Limerick, were involved in the investigation.