A round-up of today's other stories in brief.
Island search for missing US tourist
A search-and-rescue operation was under way off Valentia island in Co Kerry last night after an American tourist fell from a cliff while rock-climbing.
The accident occurred at about 5.15pm when the man, believed to be in his 30s and an experienced rock-climber, fell more than 30 feet into the sea at Dohilla, off the north side of the island.
The location is just underneath Valentia Coast Guard station and is a popular climbing area for enthusiasts.
The man, who has been staying in Killarney and was visiting Valentia for the day, was with two other climbers, who raised the alarm.
The Valentia lifeboat, a Shannon-based search-and- rescue helicopter, Coast Guard and cliff-rescue units, and a large number of locals were involved in the search which was expected to continue until light faded.
Russian freighter to be auctioned
The auction of a Russian freighter which was at the centre of a High Court case last week will take place on August 8th.
The MV Lillian had been detained in New Ross, Co Wexford, for the past month, with the court hearing applications from various creditors in relation to the vessel. Several companies also have claims against the vessel owners, Highbridge Ltd of Belize.
The court last week ruled that nine crew members, who were owed over €64,000 in wages at the time, could be repatriated, and that the ship could be sold.
In a statement yesterday, auctioneer Dominic Daly confirmed that he had been appointed by the High Court admiralty marshall to conduct the sale of the vessel. The auction would take place at the Brandon House Hotel at noon.
"Earlier reports suggested that the vessel was in poor condition," Mr Daly said. "I have now inspected the vessel and am pleasantly surprised as to its relatively good condition."
Public to view plan for Galway station
The public will be able to view the most recent plan for the €1 billion redevelopment of Galway's rail and bus station during two open days which are to take place in the city next week.
Planning consultants will be available to answer questions and hear submissions concerning the proposed transformation of Ceannt station.
More detailed plans will be available than at the initial launch in February, when outrage was expressed in some quarters after it emerged that 800 new apartments would be included in the development.
CIÉ has rejected claims that it is attempting to fast-track the plans through the normal planning process by going directly to An Bord Pleanála, rather than to the city council.
A spokesman, Barry Kenny, rejected claims from Michael D Higgins TD (Labour) that the Galway site was being "yielded" to property speculators while public transport needs in Dublin and other areas were being paid for from Government funds.
Mr Kenny said the newly opened Adamstown (Dublin) and Midleton (Cork) stations were being funded by "public-private partnerships" in tandem with developers.
"Isn't it great that we are going to be able to develop a world-class public transport interchange and not have the taxpayer pay for it?" said Mr Kenny yesterday.
He claimed the revamped station, which would include three rail platforms and 25 bus bays, would cater for significant expansion of the city in the longer-term.
However, Mr Higgins said the 800 apartments proposed for the site could block off the entrance to a future commuter rail link to Oranmore and Renmore on the east side of the city.
He accused CIÉ of reneging on promises that it would undertake a feasibility study for the introduction of a light-rail system for the city.