More news in brief
A man was paralysed from the chest down when three men shot him with a sawn-off shotgun in a park in Crumlin in August 2005, a jury has heard in the Central Criminal Court.
Paul Hurley (19), of Clonmacnoise Road, Crumlin, Dublin, denies attempting to murder Daniel Doyle on August 15th, 2005, in Crumlin. He has also denied causing serious harm to Mr Doyle.
At the opening of the trial, Paul Coffey SC, prosecuting, told the jury they would hear Mr Doyle was drinking cans of Budweiser with a friend in Sundrive Park in Crumlin shortly before 10.30 on the evening of August 15th.
Mr Doyle would say that he heard a click and turned to see three men approaching. One of them was carrying a sawn-off shotgun which he fired at Mr Doyle twice.
Mr Coffey told the jury they would hear Mr Doyle was shot in the right thigh and mid-back and as a result will be confined to a wheelchair for the rest of his life.
Bail plea in assault case adjourned
A bail application on behalf of a 50-year-old Latvian man charged in connection with the death of a man in Nenagh, Co Tipperary, last Sunday, was adjourned at Nenagh District Court yesterday.
Karlis Ruja, of Eiscir Island, Tullamore, Co Offaly, is charged with assault causing harm to Alexey Pekelman at the Coach Yard, Nenagh, on July 15th last.
Supt Robert Noonan said gardaí were awaiting authentication of Mr Ruja's passport.
"I haven't received it back yet and I am seeking a remand in custody to next Friday's sitting of this court," Supt Noonan told Judge Michael Reilly.
Judge Reilly said he was satisfied that gardaí wanted to check the matter out and adjourned the matter.
Woman guilty of carrying ecstasy
A woman who was found transporting more than €20,000 worth of ecstasy tablets in a borrowed car "as a favour" has been given a suspended sentence and ordered to perform 240 hours community service.
Claire Hanrahan (21), of Terenure Road East, had pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of ecstasy for sale or supply at Winetavern Street and at Comeragh Road, Drimnagh, on December 14th, 2005.
Judge Katherine Delahunt noted that Hanrahan had been diagnosed as an insulin dependent diabetic shortly before the incident and medical reports suggested that a "cognitive deficit" may have occurred as a result leading to mental instability which would explain her "complete personality transformation" during this time.
John Nolan BL, defending, said Hanrahan had "co-operated to the highest degree with the gardaí" and was now back in the family home and in employment.
Injured boxer gets €53,000
Irish professional boxer Jim Rock, holder of three Irish middleweight titles, has secured €53,000 in settlement of High Court proceedings arising from a motor collision. Liability was admitted.
Mr Rock, of Greystones, Co Wicklow, sued Roger Wemban, of Crostwaithe Park West, Dún Laoghaire, over a collision at Rathmichael, Co Dublin, on February 11th, 2003, which resulted in injuries to his knee.