More news in brief
Two men were killed in road collisions yesterday.
A motorcyclist in his 40s was fatally injured when he struck an exit barrier in Corkagh Park, Clondalkin, Dublin, at 6.20pm. He was removed to Tallaght Hospital where a postmortem will take place.
Garda are investigating an incident near Killucan, Co Westmeath, yesterday evening. A man in his early 60s was killed when his car left the Killucan-Raharney road. There were no other vehicles involved.
State-backed insurance scheme
A State-backed scheme which will allow anyone who contracted hepatitis C or HIV from contaminated blood products to take out life insurance and mortgage protection was launched yesterday.
The scheme, promised last year, is now up and running, with the Minister for Health Mary Harney signing the commencement order earlier this month.
SDLP minister meets UDA
A Stormont Minister has met loyalists over her demand for Ulster Defence Association disarmament in return for a dedicated fund to develop their areas.
Social development minister Margaret Ritchie (SDLP) met UDA leaders over her threat to withdraw £1.2 million in funds earmarked for the conflict transformation initiative if they did not decommission weapons by October 9th.
Galway oyster festival opens
An estimated 12,000 people are expected to visit Galway for its 53rd annual oyster festival which opened last night. Festival organisers predict that the event will generate €8 million for the local economy over the four days, with 100,000 native oysters being consumed.
Threats against republicans
Threats against republicans including Gerry Adams's chief spokesman Richard McAuley have been issued by the loyalist Red Hand Defenders paramilitaries in Belfast, it emerged yesterday.
A package containing six bullets and naming six republicans including Mr McAuley and prominent west Belfast journalist Robin Livingstone was sent to UTV in Belfast.
Search for stolen French yacht
A Naval Service patrol ship was en route last night to locate a stolen French yacht which was sighted about 250 miles west of the Aran islands yesterday.
The four-metre vessel was spotted by a fishing vessel, William Boyd, which checked to see if it was in difficulty. The yacht's sole occupant appeared to be disorientated and waved the fishing vessel away.