A round-up of today's other stories in brief...
€150,000 fine over exposure to asbestos
A developer and a demolition company have been collectively fined €150,000 at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for allowing workers to be exposed to asbestos.
Finian McDonnell, director of Markethaven Ltd, Eblana Villas, Dublin, pleaded guilty on behalf of the company to two breaches of the Health and Safety Act at the former Spring Grove Service Laundry on Shelbourne Road, Ballsbridge, on June 20th, 2003. Thomas Gibson, a solicitor acting on behalf of Walmac Ltd, of Hillview, Naas Road, Saggart, pleaded guilty to breaches in relation to the same place and date.
Judge Frank O’Donnell said Insp Veronica Helley of the Health and Safety Authority was “ignored by workers” when she inspected the site in 2003 having received an anonymous complaint about the demolition of the site.
Suspended term for two over fraud
Two sisters who fraudulently claimed more than €55,000 in social welfare over a number of years have each received suspended sentences at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Judge Katherine Delahunt gave Estera Plesca (28) and her sister Loredana (24), Pace Avenue, Clonee, each an 18-month suspended sentence for claiming supplementary allowance between September 2004 and November 2007 while they were both working under false names at Kiely’s pub in Donnybrook, Dublin.
The judge adjourned Loredana Plesca’s case until October to see if she was suitable to carry out community service.
Judge Delahunt said Estera Plesca would not be able to work in the community because she cared for her sick child and ailing father. The sisters who are originally from Romania, pleaded guilty.
Trial told of rape damage absence
A consultant paediatrician has told the trial of a man accused of regularly sexually abusing his son that there would not necessarily be signs of physical damage in a person who been anally raped 300 times.
Dr Peter Keenan, consultant paediatrician at Temple Street hospital, told the jury there would not necessarily be visible signs of damage or residual scarring after repeated assaults.
The 52-year-old accused, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has pleaded not guilty at the Central Criminal Court to 11 charges of anal rape; 12 charges of oral rape; 24 charges of sexual assault and one charge of the wilful neglect or ill-treatment of the boy on dates between April 11th, 2001, and June 23rd, 2004.
Dr Keenan agreed with Mr Justice Barry White that the absence of anal damage was “a neutral finding.”
Man in abuse case denies being vague
A man has denied “being deliberately vague” about details surrounding the alleged abuse he suffered at the hands of a Galway publican so as not to be “caught out”.
Paul O’Grady (63) of Dublin Road, Tuam, a former teacher, publican, auctioneer and peace commissioner, has pleaded not guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to 12 charges of indecent assault on dates between 1974 and 1976.
The 48-year-old complainant did not accept a suggestion from Martin Giblin, defending, that he was not giving dates and details, such as what car Mr O’Grady was driving at that time, because he was frightened of being caught out.