A round-up of today's other stories.
Trial told of shotgun's condition
A Garda detective described a shotgun allegedly planted in a Travellers' encampment in north Donegal as the most terrifying thing he had seen in his life. He said this at the trial of Det Sgt John White, who has pleaded not guilty to having a firearm on May 22nd, 1998.
Det Garda Thomas Kilcoyne told Letterkenny Circuit Court that the firearm was in such poor condition that he did not know whether to stand in front of it or behind it when it was discharged.
He said he and Det Sgt White spoke to a group of Travellers near Barnesmore Gap at the start of May 1998, and later that month Sgt White told him "he had an interest in examining these Travellers more closely".
A few days later Sgt White informed him that the Travellers had a shotgun "for defensive purposes", information allegedly from Chief Supt (now assistant commissioner) Dermot Jennings, a senior officer "very high up in the intelligence section".
On the evening of May 22nd, 1998, the two gardaí discussed a planned search of the encampment the following day at a restaurant in Ballybofey. "The first part of the chat was normal. We were going to do a search," Det Kilcoyne said.
"Then he said words to the effect: 'I have a gun, we'll place it. I have a sawn-off shotgun, and we'll put it on the site.' It was such a surprise to me I can't get the actual words he said."
Det Kilcoyne's evidence continues.
Judge 'very unlikely' to take case
A judge has warned that it was "very unlikely" he would accept jurisdiction in the case of two men charged in connection with the death of a Limerick man in May, writes Kathryn Hayes.
Keith Ryan died on the eve of his 25th birthday following what gardaí believe was an altercation under Shannon Bridge in Limerick city on May 25th.
Appearing before Limerick District Court yesterday were two men who have been charged in connection with his death.
Thomas Ryan (23), Shanabooly Road, Ballynanty, Limerick, and Tony O'Brien, Baker Place, Limerick, are charged with assaulting Mr Ryan on May 25th at Fernbank, O'Callaghan Strand.
Judge Tom O'Donnell was told a file in relation to the matter was being prepared for the DPP. He said it was "very unlikely" that he would accept jurisdiction in the case because of the seriousness of the allegations.
Both men are due before Limerick District Court again on July 26th.
Man accused of IRA membership
A Dublin man accused of IRA membership claimed yesterday in the Special Criminal Court that gardaí from Special Branch threatened to revoke his bail and inappropriately interviewed him off-camera while in custody.
Colm Maguire (32), of O'Moore Road, Ballyfermot, has pleaded not guilty to membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Óglaigh na hÉireann, on August 23rd last year.
The trial continues.
Trader used knife on acquaintance
A Dublin street trader who slashed an acquaintance with a kitchen knife and then handed herself over to gardaí has been remanded on bail pending sentence at the Circuit Criminal Court.
Geraldine Beattie (40), of Gloucester Place Upper, told gardaí she was "after cutting someone's arm off" when she showed them the knife she used.
She pleaded guilty to assault causing Jennifer Whelan harm and to possession of a knife with the intention to cause injury or intimidate another on Sean O'Casey Avenue on September 13th, 2003.
Judge Frank O'Donnell ordered a probation report after he heard that Beattie had psychiatric difficulties.