A round-up of today's other stories in brief
Irishwoman killed in Mallorca
The Department of Foreign Affairs last night confirmed that an Irishwoman had been killed and her husband very seriously injured in a road traffic accident on Mallorca.
A spokesman said it was believed the accident happened on Tuesday night in Santa Ponsa. The couple, believed to be in their late 40s and from Bantry, Co Cork, were walking home from a restaurant when they were struck by a car.
Report calls for metro to airport
A report on traffic in the Fingal area of Dublin has said that a metro system to Dublin airport must be provided if traffic chaos is to be avoided. Metro North - A link to the Future said "the M1 and M50 will simply grind to a halt" if a metro system is not put in place from the city centre to Dublin airport and Swords.
Body of Irishman returned
The body of an Irishman who fell while hillwalking in France was brought back to Dublin yesterday. Matthew Jackson (33), Rathgar, Dublin, was on holiday with his wife in Chamonix near Mont Blanc in the French Alps when the accident happened earlier this week.
Mumba motoring charges struck out
Motoring charges against singer and movie actress Samantha Mumba were struck out at Dublin District Court yesterday.
Ms Mumba (22), from Drumcondra, was stopped last November by gardaí on the M1 motorway in Santry. She was charged with failing to produce a driving licence and insurance certificate and having no driving licence, insurance disc and motor tax disc.
Garda John Faherty said he had received proof her driving licence was in order on that date and that her car had since been back-taxed.
Stack lawyer says sex consensual
A lawyer defending Irish footballer Graham Stack yesterday accused the woman who has alleged rape against him that in fact she instigated consensual sex while his girlfriend was in the next room.
The 22-year-old law student who has made the allegation was "up for it" after meeting Arsenal goalkeeper Graham Stack (on loan to Reading) and his friend at a West End club, it was claimed by defence counsel Linda Strudwick, at Croydon Crown Court.
Objection to €20m hotel at Croagh Patrick
An Taisce has objected to the development of a €20 million four-star hotel, health spa and apartment complex at the foot of Croagh Patrick, Co Mayo's biggest tourist attraction.
The mountain attracts more than 100,000 visitors annually and up to 30,000 over the Reek Sunday pilgrimage weekend.
The proposed 80- bedroomed hotel by Westport-based developer Thomas Joyce, is also adjacent to the medieval Murrisk Abbey, still used as a burial ground, and one of the most significant archaeological monuments in the region, according to the national trust. Murrisk Abbey has strong associations with St Patrick.
Murrisk Development Association chairman Johnny Groden said An Taisce's objection was "regrettable" and "extremely disappointing". The association had strongly welcomed Mayo County Council's granting of planning permission on August 8th.
Mr Groden stressed the urgency of service improvements in the area. The original Murrisk Abbey Hotel, the site of the controversial development, closed more than 30 years ago. There are several B&Bs in the village while the nearest hotels are situated in Westport, 6km away.
SIAC could work on Eyre Square
Galway City Council will enter a contract with SIAC Construction to take over the Eyre Square enhancement scheme if negotiations this week with the company are successful.
City manager Joe MacGrath has revealed that SIAC is the preferred bidder of the three contractors who have tendered to take over the project, the other two being Carey Developments and Coffey Developments.
He could not reveal the cost of the new tender until negotiations were finalised.
Mr McGrath said they would move to complete the Kennedy Park section of the work as a matter of priority when the new contractors moved on site in early October. The works are due to finish in mid-April.
Search goes on for escaped prisoner
Gardaí have recovered a stolen car used by a man accused of rape who escaped from custody during a court appearance in Co Limerick this week.
Eddie O'Casey (42), who produced a knife and escaped from prison officers at Kilmallock District Court on Tuesday morning, was due to appear on road traffic charges. He was also on remand in Castlerea prison awaiting trial in relation to a rape charge.
He had been transported earlier that morning from Castlerea Prison where he was serving a sentence for various road traffic offences, theft and criminal damage.
Gardaí at Bruff who are leading the search said last night that ports and airports were being monitored.
Insp Gerry McNamara said gardaí were still trying to establish how O'Casey managed to secure a knife which he produced after returning from a toilet break at Kilmallock District Court.
He renewed his warning to the public to remain cautious if they spotted him and warned of the dangers in approaching him.
A description was issued by gardaí earlier this week.
Gardaí at Bruff can be contacted on (061) 382940.