A round-up of today's other stories in brief.
'Drug dealer' forfeits €14,500
A man described as a drug dealer in affidavits presented at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court has forfeited without contest €14,500 cash which gardaí believed to be the proceeds of crime.
Aidan Gavin (35), Foxdene Avenue, Clondalkin was, according to the affidavits, suspected of being involved "in the importation and distribution of drugs on a large scale in south Dublin and in other drug related crime including offences involving illegal firearms".
Gavin was observed on January 3rd, 2006 by Det Gardaí Phil O'Carroll, Mark McHugh and Ger O'Keefe of the Special Detective Unit going into the Mason Technologies Industrial Estate, Rialto.
Three intended to commit robbery
Three men intercepted on their way to commit an armed robbery in east Clare were each jailed yesterday for three years at Ennis Circuit Court.
Cathal O'Neill (39), Upper William Street, Limerick and Michael Gerard Heelan (47), Boherbue, Mallow, Cork, admitted possession of an imitation firearm with intent to commit robbery at Drumline, Newmarket on Fergus on June 24th, 2005.
John Murphy (47), Ballina, Killaloe, pleaded guilty to possession of a sawn-off shotgun, five shotgun cartridges and a pepper spray canister.
Mr Murphy also pleaded guilty to possession of an imitation firearm with intent to commit robbery.
Not guilty plea in Mayo rape case
A Mayo man has gone on trial at the Central Criminal Court on 40 charges of alleged rape and indecent assault on a child over 20 years ago.
The man who is in his 50s has pleaded not guilty to 20 charges of rape, one of oral rape and 19 of indecent assault on the complainant on dates from 1979 to 1988 in Co Mayo.
The now 33-year-old woman told prosecuting counsel, Isobel Kennedy SC (with Shane Costelloe), that her first memory of being indecently assaulted was around Easter when she was in bed in a darkened room.
The hearing continues before Mr Justice Peter Charleton and a jury of six men and six women.
Murder appeal is lost
A Dublin man has lost his appeal against his conviction for the murder of another man whom he shot dead in front of a crowd of shocked onlookers in a city centre pub.
Bernard Dempsey (49), Golden Lane, Dublin, was jailed for life by Mr Justice Paul Carney at the Central Criminal Court in June 2006 after he was found guilty of the murder of James Curran (42) in the Green Lizard Pub, Francis Street, Dublin, in April 2005.
Yesterday, the three judge Court of Criminal Appeal, consisting of Mr Justice Hugh Geoghegan presiding, Mr Justice Paul Gilligan and Mr Justice Michael Hanna dismissed Dempsey's appeal, brought on grounds including the alleged unsatisfactory nature of the visual identification of Dempsey and because of the trial judge's failure to grant applications to discharge the jury.
Death of Minister's mother
The death has occurred after a long illness of Sarah Harney, the mother of Minister for Health Mary Harney.
Mrs Harney, née Crehan, of Newcastle, Co Dublin, died early yesterday at the age of 84 at the home of her son Michael.
Mrs Harney was originally from Ballinamore Bridge, Co Galway. She and her late husband, Michael, were farmers before moving to Co Dublin.
She is survived by her daughters Mary, RTÉ journalist Geraldine, sons Laur, Michael, and Richard, daughter-in-law Eithne, sons-in-law Brian and Gay, and six grandchildren.
Her remains will be removed today from her son's home at Athgoe Road in Newcastle to St Finian's church in Newcastle, arriving at 8pm. Her funeral takes place tomorrow at Newcastle Cemetery, following Mass at noon.
Review of HSE facility in Clare
The Health Service Executive (HSE) has ordered a review of practices and procedures at one of its facilities which cares for older people in Ennis, Co Clare, writes Eithne Donnellan.
The external review of procedures at the Cappahard Lodge long-stay residence follows several complaints from members of the family of Gerald Finn from Kilrush, who had been cared for at the facility for some time up to his recent death. It is understood the complaints were made over a period of time before his death at the unit last month.
Mr Finn, who was in his late 60s, suffered from Alzheimer's disease, and was admitted to the unit in December 2005.
Bench warrant issued for 'Mr G'
A bench warrant has been issued at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for one of the men accused of unlawful carnal knowledge until the Supreme Court ruling on the unconstitutionality of the law last year.
Melanie Greally, prosecuting, told the court that the man, known as "Mr G", had not been residing at his bail address for a number of weeks, and had failed to sign on at a Garda station as required by his bail conditions since mid-June.
Judge Katherine Delahunt issued a bench warrant for the arrest of "Mr G", who is due to stand trial on new charges in January.
Planning for €280m development
Planning permission for a €280 million development that will create 1,300 jobs was granted in Waterford yesterday.
Work on the development, which will initially create 600 jobs on a 5.1-acre site bordering Michael Street, New Street, Stephen Street and Brown's Lane, will begin in September.
Marketed as Destination Waterford, the development will have 60 shops and a 153-bedroom, four-star hotel, including a conference centre.
Large bang still unexplained
It was still unclear yesterday exactly what caused a large explosive noise in north Co Dublin late on Sunday night. Residents in Rush reported a large bang at around 11pm that shook the ground and windows, but a Garda search found no evidence of an explosive device.
Met Éireann said the incident may have resulted from some unusual weather. Forecaster Gerald Fleming said another possible explanation was a subterranean explosion caused by methane trapped underground.
Warning of flash flooding
Ireland could be at risk of flooding over the summer similar to that which has hit Britain in recent weeks, Irish Water Safety has warned. The statutory body, established to promote water safety, said if heavy and widespread rain continued it could lead to flash flooding.