A round-up of today's Irish news in brief
Captain had 'near-death' incidents
A retired Army captain has brought a High Court action alleging failure to properly treat and support him for post- traumatic stress disorder suffered as a result of his suffering four traumatic “near-death” experiences in Lebanon.
Patrick Holmes (54) claims other soldiers were in fear of their lives to travel with him because of the number of life-threatening situations he was involved in and believed him to be jinxed and unlucky.
Mr Holmes, St Mary’s Road, Galway, has sued the Minister for Defence and the Attorney General arising from his being diagnosed with the stress disorder in November 1998. He retired in 1996.
Vincent Foley SC, for Mr Holmes, said the stress disorder affected persons who took risks and cared about their fellow soldiers.
The defendants deny the claims and plead the action is brought outside legal time limits.
Closing stages in sex assault trial
The trial of a Galway businessman accused of sexually assaulting a schoolboy over 30 years ago has reached its closing stages at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Paul O’Grady (63), Dublin Road, Tuam, a former teacher, publican, auctioneer and peace commissioner, has pleaded not guilty to 12 charges of indecent assault between 1974 and 1976.
Judge Frank O’Donnell has withdrawn six charges from the jury and told them that they are to find Mr O’Grady not guilty on these offences “as directed by the judge” leaving them with six to consider.
The jury of six women and six men have heard closing speeches from both prosecuting and defence counsel.
Man takes lawsuit over death of sons
A retired garage owner whose two sons were killed in a car crash 14-years ago has brought a High Court action for nervous shock arising from their deaths.
Walter Doyle (59), Bree, Wexford, was unable to return to his job after the incident which claimed the lives of his sons Dermot (20) and Jim (16).
The crash happened at Polehore, Killurin, Wexford, on August 20th, 1996, when a car, driven by Dermot, collided with a 4X4 driven by John Doyle [no relation], with an address at Oularatard, Ferns, Enniscorthy.
Liability has been admitted and it is before the court for damages assessment only.
The president of the High Court, Mr Justice Nicholas Kearns, has adjourned the matter to today.
Boy remanded for attack on his mother
A youth (16) has been remanded in custody after he was charged with attacking his mother.
The teenager was brought before the Children’s Court following his arrest for assault causing harm to his mother, at their Dublin home early yesterday.
A garda said the boy’s mother, who was at the proceedings, “is in fear for her life”. The teenager spoke up during the case saying “so what am I going to be remanded for, self defence?”
“I have the stitches,” the mother replied. Judge Clare Leonard granted legal aid and refused bail.
Dangerous driving sentence adjourned
A drunk driver who knocked down a UCD student has had his sentencing adjourned at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Oliver Dunne told gardaí he had been thrown out of his marital home the night he hit Cian McGovern, leaving him with a permanent knee injury.
Dunne (32), the Ash, Parkview, Stepaside, Dublin 18, admitted he had been drunk and had done “a terrible thing”. He pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, failing to stop and injuring Mr McGovern, and refusing to give a breath test at Harcourt Garda station on November 29th, 2008. He has no previous convictions.
Judge Katherine Delahunt adjourned sentencing to April.
Woman charged with killing her daughter (3)
A woman charged with killing her three-year-old daughter has been sent forward for trial to the next sitting of the Circuit Criminal Court, writes Anne Lucey.
Monika Paczkowska (34), Fountain Court, Tralee, is charged with the unlawful killing of Sefora Kycwak at Killeen Woods, Tralee, on or about August 5th, 2005.
The mother of five, originally from Poland, was arrested and extradited last month from London on foot of a European Arrest Warrant. Bench warrants had been issued in April 2006 for Ms Paczkowska’s arrest after she failed to appear at Tralee District Court while on bail.
The DPP had directed she be sent forward to the Circuit Criminal Court, Judge James O’Connor was told.
He remanded Ms Paczkowska in custody to Limerick Prison.
The child was brought to Kerry General Hospital in 2005 from her home in Killeen Woods suffering head injuries and died some days later at the hospital.
Ms Paczkowska had initially been charged with ill-treatment of her daughter in a manner likely to cause her injury or harm. This was replaced with manslaughter last month.
SDLP leader meets Cowen and Martin
The new leader of the SDLP, Margaret Ritchie, held separate meetings with Taoiseach Brian Cowen and Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin in Dublin last night.
On her first visit to Dublin since her election to replace Mark Durkan as SDLP leader, Ms Ritchie said a strong partnership with the Government was very important to her party.
She criticised what she called the departure from the normal method of partnership arrangements regarding which party in the North should take the planned new justice portfolio.
The SDLP did not want to see any erosion of the Parades Commission, she added.
Ms Ritchie said she hoped to meet Fine Gael and Labour representatives in the near future.
Arnold role
The chief executive of Concern Worldwide, Tom Arnold, has been elected to the select nine-member board appointed by the Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research. The group is dedicated to increasing the impact of agricultural research in developing countries.
Mr Arnold is one of only two members from Europe on the board. His appointment followed an international selection which attracted more than 500 nominations.
He also becomes the only representative from a non-governmental aid agency on the international board, which is chaired by leading Uruguayan diplomat and economist, Carlos Perez del Castillo.
The group’s research is aimed at increasing agricultural growth and better management of natural resources.
French award for UCD professor
University College Dublin academic Prof Brigid Laffan was last night honoured by the French ambassador to Ireland, Yvon Roé d’Albert, for her service and achievements in the field of European Affairs.
Prof Laffan, who is principal of the UCD college of human sciences, was received as an Officer of the National Order of Merit during a ceremony at the French embassy in Ballsbridge, Dublin.
The presidential award for civil or military achievement was founded by Charles De Gaulle in 1963.