Today's other news stories in brief
PSNI facing £24m budget shortfall
The PSNI faces a £24 million shortfall in its budget this year which must be found from current resources, its chief constable Sir Hugh Orde told the policing board.
Sir Hugh indicated that the budget deficit could force him to place a ban on recruitment.
The PSNI has an annual budget of over £1.1 billion.
At the DUP conference at the weekend, Assembly member Ian Paisley jnr warned of the PSNI facing an overall deficit of £100 million.
Tributes paid to Concern worker
Tributes have been paid to Martin Dillon, a senior overseas development worker with Concern who died suddenly a few days short of his 54th birthday.
Mr Dillon, who first worked for Concern as a volunteer in 1978, was leading the organisation's operation in Zambia at the time of his death. "He was truly dedicated to the mission of serving poor people," said Concern's overseas director Paul O'Brien.
Born in Kildysart in Co Clare, Mr Dillon studied agricultural science at university.
Seoige to host talent show
Gráinne Seoige is to present a new RTÉ television series billed as "Ireland's biggest ever countrywide talent contest".
The All-Ireland Talent Showis to offer untapped talent an opportunity to win €50,000 and make a name for themselves in the entertainment industry.
The show will be broadcast every Sunday night from January 4th.
Ireland, Spain in joint stamp issue
A new set of stamps celebrating popular dances from Ireland and Spain was launched yesterday by the Spanish ambassador to Ireland, Mercedes Rico.
It is the first joint release between the two nations and both will appear on a miniature souvenir sheet issued by An Post and Correos de España.
The stamps can be purchased from selected post offices nationwide or on www.irishstamps.ie
Loose breathing tube killed man
An elderly farmer died when a tube in his throat dislodged as he was recovering from surgery, an inquest in Galway heard.
Frank Grenham (70), Falty, Oldtown, Athlone, died from asphyxiation after a tube inserted in his throat to help him breathe became dislodged while he was being turned in bed.
The man died at University Hospital Galway on July 6th, 2007, and the hospital is reviewing its procedures with regard to stabilising a tracheostomy tube.
Man questioned in shotgun attack
Gardaí are questioning a man about a gun attack two weeks ago in which the victim was shot in the face with a shotgun.
The victim survived but remains critically ill in Beaumont Hospital, Dublin. Yesterday gardaí arrested a man in Tallaght. He was still being questioned last night.
The 27-year-old victim was at home with his girlfriend and two children at an apartment on Russell Rise, off Fortunestown Way, Tallaght, when the incident took place at 6.30am on Wednesday, October 22nd.