Other stories in brief.
Postmortem on woman found in house
A postmortem will be carried out today on the body of a 74-year-old woman who is believed to have died from smoke inhalation at her home on the outskirts of Cork city.
The woman's body was discovered at her home at Clogheen, Old Blarney Road, at about 1.30pm yesterday when neighbours grew concerned.
She was found in the sitting room of the house alongside the bodies of her two dogs and two cats.
Mountjoy phone given to gardaí
The Prison Service has confirmed that a mobile phone which was discovered in a cell in the female wing of Mountjoy Prison has been handed to gardaí for investigation.
Both the Prison Service and gardaí have declined to comment on reports that the phone belonged to Catherine Nevin, who was convicted of murdering her husband at their pub, Jack White's Inn, near Brittas Bay, Co Wicklow, on March 19th, 1996.
Meeting over Port Tunnel closure
The National Roads Authority is to seek an urgent meeting with the company which operates Dublin's Port Tunnel, after technical problems led to its closure for some 90 minutes yesterday evening, writes John Downes. A spokesman for the NRA said the tunnel was closed from about 6.45pm to 8.15pm.
Patients denied free healthcare
Patients are being denied access to free healthcare because of a change in the way medical cards are reviewed, newly-published research suggests, writes Dr Muiris Houston. It found that some 90 per cent of patients in one general practice had their medical cards removed by the Health Service Executive for allegedly not returning their renewal forms.
Ambassador denies beef ban
The Brazilian ambassador to Ireland, Marco Amarante, has rejected reports that Brazilian beef exports to the EU have been banned and accused the IFA of carrying out an illegal mission to his country, writes Seán MacConnell.
The ambassador said "a temporary suspension" was in place until such time as there was agreement on a list of farms from which beef could be supplied to the EU.
Farmer dies feeding cattle
A farmer in his 50s has died following an accident while feeding cattle near his home in Co Clare last night.
The body of the married father of two was found at about 5.30pm in a field at Lismuinga near Ruan, about 15km from Ennis.