A roundup of today's other court stories in brief
Date set for extradition hearing
An extradition hearing involving a West African man wanted in the Netherlands for alleged child trafficking will take place on January 17th, the High Court directed yesterday. A bail application for the man has also been deferred until then, although he was given permission to make an application for bail prior to January 17th.
Peter Kwame Sarfo, aka Jackson Smith (38), is wanted by the Dutch authorities who claim he is involved in the movement of children from Nigeria into a number of western Europe nations. It is claimed that these children are initially brought into the Netherlands and then sent on to other countries to work as prostitutes.
Yesterday, Mr Justice Michael Peart was told further documentation in the case was ready to be filed and the State was also ready to meet Mr Sarfo's application for bail.
Stay on trial date for biochemist
A stay has been put on fixing a Circuit Court trial date for the former principal biochemist in the Blood Transfusion Service Board on charges relating to the infection of women
with Hepatitis C. Cecily Cunningham (66), Hollybrook Road, Clontarf, Dublin, who lost a High Court bid to stop her trial, has lodged an appeal in the Supreme Court.
Counsel for Ms Cunningham told Dublin Circuit Criminal Court the judicial review was still outstanding before the Supreme Court. Prosecuting counsel asked for the case to come back before the Circuit Court early next year, noting "witnesses are ill and we are anxious to avoid delays".
Ten years jail for heroin possession
A man who was caught with €3.3 million worth of heroin in what Judge Desmond Hogan described as "a transit house and distribution centre" has been sentenced to 10 years in prison. Jason Kelly (24), Bluebell Rd, Dublin, had no previous convictions, but had agreed to transport the drugs in a bid to pay off a debt he had built up through drug dealing.
He pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of the drugs for sale or supply at Greenogue Business Park, Newcastle, Co Dublin, on December 19th, 2006.
Addict's sentence adjourned
A "€700 or €800 a day habit" cocaine addict who had €3,400 worth of the drug in his house has had his sentence adjourned so that details of his "substantial convictions" abroad can be presented.
Mark Boyne (39), Irishtown Road, Ringsend, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possessing almost 50 grams of cocaine with intent to supply and possessing 17 grams of cannabis in December 2005.
Garda Eoin Roche said Boyne had several psychological problems and had 22 previous convictions in the Republic.
Seven-year term on cannabis charges
A man who was caught with over €44,000 worth of cannabis resin in the room he shared with his brother has been given a seven-year sentence by Judge Desmond Hogan at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. David Kearns (30) Cushlawn Way, Tallaght, was not at home when gardaí searched his room, but he voluntarily presented himself at the station a few days later and took full responsibility.
€104,000 damages after fall in pub
A woman was awarded damages of €104,353 at the High Court yesterday arising from injuries sustained in a fall at a pub in Waterford city. The action was taken by Catherine Stephens (48), a widow and cleaner, of Kilcohan Park, against Muldoons, trading as Eylewood Limited, John Street, Waterford.