A roundup of today's other home news in brief
File on boy’s drowning to be sent to DPP
Gardaí are preparing a file for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in relation to the drowning of an eight-year-old boy in a swimming pool in Navan in August.
Garda inquiries into the circumstances of the drowning of Issac Agabe Adefaya during a public swimming session at the Aura operated pool resulted in a full criminal investigation.
Gardaí have interviewed members of the public as well as staff working in the pool on the day and say that all the information they have gathered, including statements, will be part of the file being prepared for the DPP. The file is expected to be submitted by the end of the year.
Tobacco worth €40,000 seized
A Revenue Customs team has seized contraband cigarettes and tobacco with an estimated street value of €40,000 following a major surveillance operation in Cork city.
Raids were carried out on a number of premises in the Blackpool and Farranree areas of Cork city on Thursday.
In the region of 100,000 cigarettes and 10kg of tobacco were discovered in the search of the properties. A vehicle, an undisclosed amount cash and mobile phones were also seized.
Five people have been questioned and prosecutions are expected to follow.
During the period January to August 2009, Revenue Customs officers seized a total of 60.6 million cigarettes with a value of more than €25 million.
EU highlights Irish marine research
Two Irish marine research projects were highlighted by the European Commission yesterday at a briefing on climate change in Barcelona, Spain. The projects, both of which involve researchers at NUI Galway, involve work on harmful algal blooms and on management of deepwater corals and commercial fishing.
The event coincided with the arrival in Barcelona of the scientific exploration ship Tara, which is on a three-year around the world mission to investigate climate change.
Farmers criticise banks over loans
The banks have been accused of mis-selling loans to farmers by the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association, which claimed banks were breaching the new voluntary code of practice, writes Seán Mac Connell.
Jackie Cahill, president of the ICMSA, said while the new code of practice had come into full operation, he was critical of the banks and Financial Regulator for downplaying its role and the protection it should provide to consumers.
“The banks are legally obliged, under the Central Bank Act, to provide information to business borrowers on the banks’ procedures for credit applications,” he explained.
Three Element Six workers reinstated
Three workers who were placed on a precautionary suspension at Co Clare industrial diamond manufacturer Element Six, during an investigation by the company relating to sensitive company documents, have resumed full duties.
All three were suspended on full pay eight days ago. The company said yesterday that there was no implication of wrongdoing by any of the three workers concerned from the outset.
Element Six human resources manager Tadhg O’Halloran said: “The employees understood that the co-operative precautionary suspension was necessary to ensure the integrity of the investigation process, which is ongoing.
“They showed the utmost professional conduct and loyalty to the company by supporting and facilitating the internal investigation,” Mr O’Halloran added, “and we are grateful for that.”