A round-up of today's other news stories in brief
Rugby player Stephen Ferris denies two counts of assault
An Irish and British Lions rugby international yesterday denied two counts of assaulting two men while his older brother admitted assaulting one of the alleged victims.
Standing in the dock of Belfast Crown Court, Ulster and Ireland winger Stephen Ferris (25) pleaded not guilty to one charge of causing actual bodily harm to Colm Conlon and one of common assault on James McGinley on September 27th, 2009. David Ferris (28) pleaded guilty to causing Mr Conlon actual bodily harm on the same date.
Setting a trial date for the last week in November, Judge Geoffrey Millar QC released both men on continuing bail and ordered pre-sentence probation reports for David Ferris.
New director for Arts Council
The Arts Council has appointed Orlaith McBride as its new director. Currently director of the National Association for Youth Drama, Ms McBride will take up her new role in September, replacing Mary Cloake.
Ms McBride was an Arts Council board member from 2003 until earlier this year, and has established her reputation through youth and community arts.She was arts officer in the National Youth Council of Ireland, and is now the president of the organisation.Ms McBride is also a member of the governing authority of Dublin City University.
Public urged to submit ideas for savings
The Government is to ask the public to set out their ideas on where savings can be made on State spending. Minister Brendan Howlin said the Government wants to know what practices people consider to be wasteful. He urged the public to submit proposals via the website http://per.gov.ie/comprehensive-review-of-expenditure/
Man dies in Wicklow crash
One man has died following a two-car traffic accident yesterday evening which occurred at Crosschapel, Co Wicklow,
about two kilometres north of Blessington.