Other stories in brief
Donegal firm to export oysters to Japan
A Donegal shellfish farmer believes he is about to become Europe's first provider of oysters to the Japanese market, writes Paddy Clancy.
Agreements to be signed during a trade mission to Tokyo headed by Minister for Agriculture Mary Coughlan this week will pave the way for Edward Gallagher to export millions of oysters to Japan.
Less than 48 hours after the oysters are taken from beds in Tragheanna Bay, Lettermacaward, they will be served up in Japanese restaurants.
Irish Premium Oysters employs four full-time and three part-time staff. It has built up a market in Hong Kong, which prompted Bord Iascaigh Mhara to help it set up the Japanese trade, to which it will initially supply 10,000 oysters a week.
Attack on Irish economy
A newly appointed professor at the University of Limerick has said the Irish economic model exacerbates poverty and should not be held up as an international example of progress, writes Tim O'Brien.
In his inaugural address, Peadar Kirby, professor of international politics and public policy, said the Irish economy was far from being a role model, was unsustainable on environmental grounds, and proposed compulsory education for students on how to reduce their carbon footprint.
The professor said the universities should challenge Government with new ideas. The college should contribute "to reversing and educating about Ireland's remarkable neglect of the environment".
Universities must begin by choosing whether they are educating people for "temporary survival in our declining industrial age or for an emerging and more sustainable future society", he said.
Plaque to mark fireman's death
A plaque has been unveiled in Co Limerick to mark the first anniversary of the death of a fireman killed in a road accident which also claimed the life of a garda.
Firefighter Michael Liston (47) and Garda Brian Kelleher (46) were killed when they were struck by a car as they attended the scene of a road collision at Barrigone, Askeaton, Co Limerick, on February 25th last year.
Memorial services have been taking place over the past few days for both men, whose first anniversary occurred yesterday, and a special plaque honouring Michael Liston was unveiled at Foynes fire station, where he worked for 20 years.
Speaking at the unveiling ceremony, Mr Liston's widow, Bernadette Liston, thanked members of the fire service for their support over the last year.
"This is a sad moment for us but also a very proud one, that Mike's colleagues in the fire service and Limerick County Council would remember him in this way," said the mother of four.
Ms Kirby also paid tribute to Garda Kelleher and welcomed his widow Marie, who was also present in Foynes for the unveiling ceremony.
Murder trial jury selected
A jury has been selected to hear the trial of a Limerick student charged with murdering a 59-year-old man by stabbing him to death.
Joseph Bustin (21), of Towerfield, Croom, Co Limerick, has pleaded not guilty to murdering Liam O'Donovan at St Senan's Terrace in the village on November 4th, 2006.
A jury of six men and six women has been selected to hear the trial in the Central Criminal Court in Dublin, which begins in courtroom one today before Mr Justice Paul Carney and is expected to last until the middle of next week.