A round-up of today's other stories in brief...
McSharry funeral Mass tomorrow
The death has taken place of Mrs Elaine McSharry, wife of the former EU commissioner and tánaiste Ray MacSharry.
Mrs McSharry died last evening at her Sligo home after a long illness. She is survived by her husband, three sons and three daughters. One of her sons, Marc MacSharry, is a Fianna Fáil member of the Seanad.
Mrs McSharry's funeral Mass takes place at noon tomorrow at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Sligo.
Man denies Clonakilty murder
A Clonakilty woman was found stabbed to death in her estranged partner's flat with their baby son asleep nearby and her ex-partner lying on the floor with cuts to his throat and wrists, a court has heard.
Hadim Kedik (32), Connolly Street, Clonakilty, Co Cork, has pleaded not guilty at the Central Criminal Court at Dublin to murdering Rose Patterson (30) last April.
Judgment in INLA case reserved
The Special Criminal Court has reserved judgment in the trial of two Waterford men accused of INLA membership.
James Butler (55), Ardmore Park, Ballybeg, Co Waterford and John O'Donoghue (27), Clonard Park, Ballybeg, Co Waterford, deny membership of the INLA on June 18th last year.
During the trial, the court heard that the case against the two men was based on the belief evidence of Waterford gardaí, the attendance of both men at fundraisers for republican prisoners and items found during searches of their houses, including a black hold-all bag containing two replica hand-guns and four balaclavas.
The court also heard that during a Garda interview, Mr Butler made admissions to being a member of the INLA. Both men denied in evidence that they were members of the INLA.
The trial finished yesterday with submissions from prosecuting counsel Mary Ellen Ring SC, from Brendan Nix SC, counsel for Mr O'Donoghue, and John Phelan SC, counsel for Mr Butler.
Mr Justice Paul Butler, presiding at the three-judge court, reserved judgment until a later date.
Post-Christmas budget advice
With many people still waiting for their first pay cheque since Christmas the Money Advice and Budgeting Service (Mabs) has advised people to budget their finances rather than resort to loan firms or pawnbroking services.
"For people on a low income or on social welfare Christmas can be a very difficult time of year.
This difficulty has been compounded in recent times with the increase in the cost of living as well as the increased cost of borrowing," the service said yesterday.
"The temptation is to take advantage of borrowing to buy toys or presents. The Mabs helpline, 1890 283 438, offers a confidential support service in conjunction with existing Mabs services."
Meanwhile a Dublin pawnbroker has taken in 100 guitars from families striving to stave off new year debt.
Patrick Carthy, who runs one of only three pawnbrokers left in Ireland, said customers usually pawned gold or diamond jewellery which was often later redeemed.
However his Marlborough Street premises near the Pro Cathedral has amassed the guitars from people, possibly to buy food or pay the rent.
"We usually get bracelets or necklaces because they hold their value over time," said Mr Carthy, a member of the Irish Pawnbrokers Association. Also the price of gold has risen in recent years so it increases the value of gold jewellery.
"But increasingly people have decided to pawn guitar," he added, "because they also hold their value over time."