More news in brief.
Proceedings against victim struck out
Proceedings against a recent victim of a fatal gangland shooting have been struck out by Judge Frank O'Donnell at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
James Purdue (22), of Belcamp Crescent, Priorswood, Dublin, who was shot dead on June 19th, had been due for sentence for assault causing serious harm to Martin Grimes on December 21st, 2003.
Purdue had pleaded guilty to stabbing Mr Grimes six times at Strand Road, Portmarnock.
Man jailed for having cocaine
A man who was caught with €60,524 worth of cocaine has been jailed for five years at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Fatai Abdul, (47), a Nigerian, of Almere, Amsterdam, the Netherlands, pleaded guilty to having the drug for sale or supply at Dublin airport on August 8th, 2005.
Twink and husband settle debt case
Judgment for a compromised debt of €19,000 has been granted in the Circuit Civil Court against television and pantomime star Adele King, better known as Twink, and her husband David Agnew.
The couple had been sued for €26,577 by Ballyview Builders Ltd, trading as O'D's Construction, Oxford Road, Dublin, over the remaining payment on a €390,000 contract for work carried out in 2003 to their home at Idrone House, Knocklyon, Dublin.
Conor Dignam, counsel for Ballyview Builders, said yesterday the claim had been settled and the case could be struck out with an order for judgment of €19,000 against Ms King and Mr Agnew.
Inquest into fatal Dublin shooting
A father of 10 made a complaint of Garda inaction over phonecalls threatening to blow his head off months before he was shot dead, an inquest heard yesterday.
Gerard Fitzgerald (48) was shot in the head at the junction of Oldtown Road and Shanliss Road in north Dublin on November 21st, 2001. The Dublin City Coroner's Court heard he had been involved in a feud with members of his extended family.
In July 2001, Mr Fitzgerald gave a statement to the Garda Complaints Board accusing gardaí of not responding to his family's concerns. Civil servant Miriam Mulligan, who recorded his complaint, said Mr Fitzgerald had claimed he had told gardaí about attacks on his home but was told there was nothing they could do and they were not going to babysit him.
Supt Michael Roche, now retired, from Blanchardstown station, said there was already a high level of policing in that area of Finglas. "I didn't see any reason to increase the level of policing down there."
Mr Fitzgerald was first shot several times on November 6th, 2000, outside his home in Finglas. Supt Roche said gardaí could establish no motive for the shooting. "Sadly, there was a lack of co-operation from Mr Fitzgerald himself."
The inquest was adjourned until October.