A roundup of today's other regional news stories in brief
Kerry hospital ward to close for six weeks
A 24-bed ward is to close for six weeks at Kerry General Hospital, the second largest acute hospital in the Cork-Kerry region, because of a shortage of nursing staff.
This is the second time in recent weeks a ward has had to shut down because there are not enough nurses at the hospital.
A number of other shortages at the 377-bed hospital were highlighted yesterday amid a growing suspicion in the county that Kerry General, which also serves west and north Cork and west Limerick, is being down-graded .
Kerry health forum representative, Fianna Fáil councillor Michael Cahill said Kerry General was "grossly" under staffed and under funded in comparison with equivalent size hospitals in Cork, and this had been the case for some time.
Nuns' housing plan opposed
An order of nuns is set for a multi-million euro windfall if they get planning permission for a luxury housing development in Galway.
However, there is growing opposition to the plan by the Sisters of Mercy to build 126 homes on a 12-acre site in Galway's most exclusive area.
Local residents are strongly opposed to the plan close to St Anne's Children's Centre in Taylor's Hill and want the land developed as an amenity.
The nuns want to build a five-storey apartment block in addition to 126 detached and semi-detached houses.
Residents from Taylor's Hill and Devon Park are due to meet with planners from Galway City Council tomorrow to voice their concerns and opposition.
Man charged with assault on girl
A 24-year old man has been sent for trial in Donegal charged with having sexual intercourse with a girl under 15 years and with a sex assault on her.
He appeared at Donegal District Court yesterday accused of the offences at an address in the area on March 4th last year.
Judge Desmond A Zaidan was told the book of evidence was served on the man shortly before the court sat. The case was sent forward for trial at the next sitting of Donegal Circuit Court in March. The man was remanded on continuing bail.
'Boy and girl racers' safety talk
Gardaí in Co Wexford are compiling a list of "boy and girl racers" to invite to a road safety evening with their parents.
Supt John Roche said there were over 60 names, including "a good few girls", on the list so far.
De Valera leaves for Harvard
Former TD, minister and MEP Síle de Valera leaves for the US this weekend to take up a position at Harvard University.
Since her retirement from politics, she has been pursuing a Masters in Women's Studies at UCD.
Late last year the Institute of Politics at the JF Kennedy School of Government in Harvard University invited Ms de Valera to become Research Fellow for the spring semester of 2008.