In Short

A round up of today's other stories in brief.

A round up of today's other stories in brief.

Extradition appeal ruling reserved

The Supreme Court has reserved until next month its judgment on an appeal by a Co Louth man against an order for his extradition to Spain, where he is wanted for the alleged murder of his wife.

The hearing of the two-day appeal by Michael Dermot McArdle (36), Heynestown, Dundalk, concluded yesterday before the five-judge court.

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Chief Justice Mr Justice John Murray said the court would deliver judgment on November 3rd.

In the first order of its kind to be made here under the European Arrest Warrant Act, 2003, which came into effect in 2004, president of the High Court Mr Justice Joseph Finnegan last May ordered Mr McArdle's extradition to Spain.

Jury begins deliberations

The jury in the trial of a Kilkenny man accused of attempted murder begins its deliberations on a verdict today at the Central Criminal Court in Dublin.

Thomas O'Grady (24), Fatima Place, Kilkenny, denies attempting to murder Paul Barry (34), Ossory Park, Kilkenny, by inflicting head injuries and burns on him at Pennesfatherslot, Kilkenny, on October 10th, 1999.

File on Mayo murder in process

A file will be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions on the death of an 83-year-old draper who was bound, gagged and tied to a chair by raiders in the bedroom of his home at Charlestown, Co Mayo, more than seven years ago.

Gardaí have announced the preparation of the file yesterday following the release of seven persons, six men and a woman, who were arrested on Thursday for questioning on the death of Edward Fitzmaurice.

Date set for trial on Chawke attack

The trial of two men accused of shooting publican Charlie Chawke has been set by Judge Michael White to start on June 14th next at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

Frank Ward (51), of Knockmore Avenue, Tallaght, and Larry Cummins (54), of Summerhill Parade, are charged with the shooting and robbery of Mr Chawke at his public house, The Goat, Goatstown, Dublin, on October 6th, 2003.

Killer moved to English jail

Convicted killer Robert Howard (61) was transferred from a prison in Northern Ireland to a jail in Durham yesterday.

Howard, who is serving life for the rape and murder of Hannah Williams (14) from Deptford, south London, had been interned in Maghaberry Prison in Northern Ireland.

In June he was acquitted of the murder of Arlene Arkinson by a jury in Belfast. Last month a reporting restriction, imposed during Howard's trial for the murder of the Castlederg teenager, was lifted, revealing his past convictions for rape, murder and child abuse.

A statement from the Northern Ireland Prison Service said he was handed over yesterday and transferred to Frankland Prison in Durham. He had been held in Maghaberry after being transferred from Belmarsh Prison to Northern Ireland for the Arkinson trial. - (PA)