A round-up of today's other stories in brief
Two men arrested after shots fired
Two men are to appear in Kilmainham District Court in Dublin this morning in relation to an incident in which gardaí were threatened with a sawn-off shotgun.
Two men, armed with a semi-automatic sawn-off shotgun, fired several shots through the window of a house in Cherry Orchard Parade, west Dublin, at about 4am on Saturday.
There were two adults and three children in the house but no one was injured. Gardaí chased the gunmen and arrested them under Section 30 of the Offences against the State Act.
Man injured in knife attack
A 22-year-old man was seriously injured after a knife attack in Dublin at the weekend. The incident happened at Sheephill Avenue, Blanchardstown, just after 1am on Sunday.
A Garda spokesman said the man received a serious facial wound. No arrests have been made.
Finnish president on State visit
The president of Finland is to begin a three-day State visit to Ireland this morning.
President Mary McAleese will officially welcome president Tarja Halonen at Áras an Uachtaráin at 10.30am. The ceremonial welcome will include a 21-gun salute and a fly-past by the Air Corps and will be followed by a tree-planting ceremony in the grounds.
Minister to ban fighting dogs
The Government is to ban the importation and ownership of dogs that can be used to fight each other.
Minister for Agriculture Mary Coughlan said she is preparing legislation that will include a ban on importation of certain breeds of dogs.
Scientists want cancer funding
Medical scientists have called for greater Government help for laboratories carrying out tests for cancer. They claim samples being sent abroad for tests are costing the Irish taxpayer money that would be better spent at home.
Jacqui Barry O'Crowley, president of the Academy of Medical Laboratory Science, said the money spent on cervical cancer screening tests abroad could provide a fully-equipped laboratory and jobs for six scientists.
Diplomat awarded MacBride medal
The Seán MacBride Peace Medal was awarded to Sri Lankan diplomat Jayantha Dhanapala yesterday. The medal, which is awarded by the International Peace Bureau, was presented to Mr Dhanapala at a confer- ence in Alexandria, Egypt.
Over 300 train users stranded
Over 300 passengers were stranded in Westmeath last night after a train broke down. The engine of the 5.05pm Dublin to Sligo train failed near Killucan, shortly after 6.30pm yesterday. It is understood a replacement engine did not arrive until after 9pm.