A Waterford man has been returned for trial to the Central Criminal Court for the murder of his brother on New Year's Eve 2003.
Mr Keith Doyle, Ballybeg, made a brief appearance in Waterford District Court yesterday morning just hours after his arrest. He is charged with the murder of his brother, Gary.
The 28-year-old father of one was on his way home from a night out with his girlfriend and others when he was stabbed in the neck a short distance from his home.
Judge Harnett granted an application for free legal aid and remanded the defendant in custody.
Monaghan fires investigated
Gardaí and civic leaders in a Co Monaghan town have begun investigating a series of fires.
In the latest incident litter bins were set alight, along with a car adjacent to a family residence at the Drumillard estate in Castleblayney.
Fire units prevented homes being destroyed in the attack. Several vehicles have been burned in the town in recent weeks and a number of sheds and other premises targeted.
Meters to reduce water waste
The installation of meters in every business premises in Co Galway next year is expected to dramatically reduce the huge amount of water wasted in the region.
From 2006 the commercial sector will no longer pay a flat fee to Galway County Council for water.
The action is being taken on the "polluter pays" principle, and some types of business which use a lot of water will face heftier charges than others.
The Tuam office of the National Federation of Group Water Schemes said meters could reduce water use by up to 40 and 50 per cent in many cases.
The cost of the new system will have to be met initially by the council.
However, it plans to recoup the cost from the non-domestic sector through new charges, which are not yet known.
Questioned over cannabis haul
Gardaí in Cork have arrested a man for questioning following the seizure of €200,000 worth of cannabis resin in a raid on a house in the Douglas area of the city yesterday afternoon.
The man, who is in his 20s, was arrested after members of the Togher district drugs squad, backed up by local detectives, raided a house in the Grange area and found 20kg of cannabis resin.
Gardaí also recovered about €10,000 in cash in the raid, and the arrested man was taken to Togher Garda station for questioning.
Cash boost for Simon welcomed
The Cork Simon Community has welcomed news that the Government will today announce an extra €400,000 to add to the €800,000 already allocated this year to help eliminate homelessness in the city.
The new funding, which will be announced by the Minister for Health, Mr Martin, and administered via the Southern Health Board, will be paid over in instalments of €1.2 million this year, €1.5 million in 2005 and €1.7 million in 2006.