A round-up of today's other home news in brief
French embassy staff to strike again
Staff at the French embassy in Dublin will strike today for the second time to protest over salaries which they say are not commensurate with the cost of living in the city. Those striking say they decided to proceed with the second protest after the French foreign ministry failed to acknowledge their concerns.
Last Thursday more than 15 employees, most of whom are locally-recruited French nationals, held a picket outside the embassy offices on Ailesbury Road. Staff from the nearby residence of ambassador Yvon Roé d'Albert also took part.
The salaries of those protesting range from about €1,600 to €2,600 gross per month. The employees say the ministry has refused to acknowledge the high cost of living in Dublin and match salary increases with inflation figures.
The staff noted that their demands amount to €35,000 in total for those concerned. Earlier this week, the ministry informed them it would re-examine the situation.
Cause of PSNI crash unknown
The cause of the crash in which four police officers died in Northern Ireland last month may never be known because the "black box" recorder fitted to the 4x4 was destroyed, it has been revealed. The officers were trapped in the Mitsubishi Shogun when it was engulfed by fire after crashing on the Warrenpoint to Kilkeel road in Co Down while answering a call to help colleagues with a crowd disturbance.
The PSNI hoped the "black box" would provide details on what happened but, said a PSNI spokeswoman, it was destroyed by the fire and it was not possible to retrieve data. - (PA)
Botulism death confirmed
One person died from botulism yesterday following an outbreak of the disease among Dublin heroin users. The HSE has been dealing with six possible cases over the last fortnight.
The infection is caused by contaminated heroin being injected into soft tissues rather than veins. The HSE is investigating whether the heroin was contaminated.
Drug and emergency services have been alerted by the HSE. It is advising drug users to seek medical attention if they experience neurological difficulties or develop abscesses.
Man rescued off Kerry coast
An injured Burmese crew member was rescued some 500km off the Kerry coast last night by US and UK aircraft. The man was on board a Liberian-registered cargo vessel Anna Rickmers.
He sustained spinal and head injuries on Tuesday night when he fell from a height into the vessel's hold.
The UK Coast Guard sent long-range aircraft to the vessel. Two US Pave Black-Hawk helicopters, a C130 refuelling fixed wing aircraft and an RAF Nimrod left the UK yesterday. They refuelled at Cork before going to the vessel.
The man was in a stable condition and was set to be taken to hospital once he reached Shannon last night.