A round-up of today's other stories in brief...
Garda investigations continue into fire at castle in Monaghan
Garda forensic investigations were continuing yesterday into a fire that extensively damaged the 17th century Hope Castle building which is adjacent to Lough Muckno on the outskirts of Castleblayney, Co Monaghan.
Fire units from Castleblayney, Carrickmacross, Monaghan, Ballybay, and Dundalk were called to battle the blaze, which was detected in the early hours of the morning.
The firemen prevented the blaze spreading to adjacent premises.
The castle, which is owned by Monaghan County Council, had been operated as a hotel and bar for some years until a lease expired earlier this year.
However, after a recent High Court action, the county council was directed by Judge Eamon de Valera to renew the lease, to enable a Co Monaghan businessman, Chris Haren, to resume trading at the premises.
“Everyone is shocked by what has happened and we cannot comment further, pending a full investigation,” Mr Haren said yesterday.
Man charged over theft at hospital
A man has been remanded in custody charged with the theft of a desktop computer from a hospital in Galway, writes Anne Healy.
Adam Syrkowski (30), The Rise, Knocknacarra, Galway, originally from Poland, appeared before Galway District Court yesterday charged with the theft of the computer from the Neurology Department at University College Hospital, Galway, on September 23rd.
He is also charged with trespassing at the hospital with intent to commit an offence.
Judge Mary Fahy remanded Mr Syrkowski in custody to November 10th.
Two remanded on cocaine charge
A man and a woman appeared in custody before a court in Galway yesterday charged in connection with the seizure of half a million euro worth of cocaine in south Galway earlier this week.
They were both remanded in custody until November 10th.
Alan Graham (39), Tara Cottage, Collinamuck, Roscahill, Co Galway, and Susan Ryan (24), from Nicholas Street, Limerick city, and with the same address in Roscahill, were charged with possessing cocaine for sale or supply at Glenbrack, Gort, Co Galway on November 2nd.