A roundup of today's other news stories in brief
DUP Minister attends GAA match in Newry
Northern Ireland's Minister for Sport Mervyn Poots last night became the first Democratic Unionist Party politician to attend a GAA match in an official capacity. He was a guest at the Dr McKenna Cup fixture between Down and Donegal at Newry.
Mr Poots was welcomed to Pairc Esler by GAA president Nickey Brennan, director general Liam Mulvihill and Ulster Council president Tom Daly.
The invitation to attend a Gaelic games fixture was extended when Mr Poots spoke at a GAA conference in in Belfast last October.
Concern for Kenya's human rights head
The head of the Irish Human Rights Commission has expressed concern for the safety of his Kenyan counterpart.
Dr Maurice Manning said that Maina Kiai, the head of Kenya's National Commission on Human Rights, had reportedly been put under surveillance by the Kenyan authorities.
"Mr Kiai's safety is paramount in this situation. It is important for us to let the Kenyan authorities know that we expect them to fully respect Maina's freedom of speech in particular," he said.
Dr Manning was speaking on behalf of the European Group of National Human Rights Institutions, which the Irish commission currently chairs.
President pays tribute to Suas members
President Mary McAleese held a reception yesterday for Suas members, supporters and staff in recognition of the organisation's support for quality education in under-resourced communities. Suas has programmes in Ireland, India and Kenya.
"When I first met you, you were a small student organisation and now Suas has become a movement. This happened because a lot of people thought this was a good idea and made it their passion, their mission. You're the people that are showing what happens when the power of a group of people who come together gets unleashed," she said.
The Suas Alumni Network is organising An Evening with Suas on February 9th in City Hall, Dublin.
Attempts to control vomiting bug
Several hospitals across the State have placed restrictions on visitors in an attempt to control outbreaks of the winter vomiting bug, writes Eithne Donnellan.
Visiting times are restricted at Cork University Hospital, Cork University Maternity Hospital, Kerry General Hospital, Wexford General Hospital, Letterkenny General Hospital, Sligo General Hospital, Cavan General Hospital and Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda.
Visiting has also been restricted at Killybegs Community Hospital and at St Joseph's community hospital at Stranorlar, Co Donegal.