In short

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

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

Two brothers charged over murder of boy

Two brothers have been charged with the murder of 15-year-old Toyosi Shitta-Bey.

Paul Barry (38) from Pearse Street in Dublin had previously been charged with the manslaughter of the teenager at Mount Eustace Crescent, Tyrrelstown on Good Friday.

At a sitting of Blanchardstown District Court before Judge Brian Sheridan yesterday, this charge was struck out and Paul Barry was charged with murder.

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Michael Barry (23), Pigeon House Road, Ringsend who has already been charged under Section 11 of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act with possession of a hockey stick was also charged with murder.

Det Garda Tom Cooney said that when Paul Barry was charged with the teenager’s murder he made no reply.

Det Garda Karl Smyth said Michael Barry replied “absolute rubbish” when charged.

Toyosi died after an incident when he was returning from the National Aquatic Centre with friends on the night of April 2nd.

Man charged with Tullamore murder

A man has been charged with the murder of Derek McDonagh, a father of one, who was stabbed outside his parents' home on Monday.

Richard Donovan (22), of the Unofficial Halting Site, Kilcruttin, Tullamore, appeared before a special sitting of Tullamore District Court last night.

Det Sgt John Walsh said that when charged at 5.02pm yesterday, Mr Donovan replied "I'm sorry for what I done." Mr Donovan sat between two gardaí and did not speak during the hearing. No bail application was made and he was granted legal aid. He will appear at Cloverhill District Court this Friday.

A crowd of several dozen people gathered outside the courthouse grounds, mostly in a car park and park across from where the hearing took place. There was a significant Garda presence.

Two other men taken into custody since the killing of Mr McDonagh, of Callery Street, Tullamore, were released without charge and files have been sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions.

EU poised to bring in new eco targets

Farmers and fishermen could face new responsibilities under ambitious EU targets to protect endangered species.

A European Parliament report prepared in advance of a UN conference next month in Japan, highlights the fragility of European ecosystems.

After the failure of EU targets to halt biodiversity loss by 2010, the European Parliament passed a resolution supporting new targets for the next decade and calling on the European Commission to mainstream the issue into other EU policy areas such as agriculture, fisheries and industry.

Man in coma after cow trod on him

A man in his 40s was being treated in hospital last night after suffering serious head injuries after he was trampled by a cow on a farm in Co Clare yesterday.

The man remained in an "induced coma" in hospital last night following the incident which occurred after 8am yesterday near Labasheeda, in Co Clare.

The man was helping load cattle on to a truck to take them to the mart in Ennis when he was knocked over and kicked in the head.

His wife helped him into a car and she drove him towards Kildysart 13km away. As the man's condition deteriorated, the emergency medical services were called.

Port tunnel closed after fire outbreak

The Dublin Port Tunnel was closed in both directions for almost two hours yesterday morning after the brakes on a truck overheated and caused a fire.

Four units of Dublin Fire Brigade attended the scene. There were no reports of any injuries.