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'National interest' to guide Aer Lingus decision

Written By Unknown on Jumat, 30 Januari 2015 | 22.40

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton has said any decision the Coalition makes on the sale of Aer Lingus would be based on the national interest.

He said there was a keen awareness of the importance of regional connectivity and that this would be one of the aspects that would inform the Government decision.

Mr Bruton dismissed speculation that there was a split between the Government parties.

He said the Cabinet was determined to come to a position on Aer Lingus in the best interests of all stakeholders.

Minister for Finance Michael Noonan said as he is the shareholder on behalf of the State he is precluded from making comment when the issue is in an "offer period".

However, he reiterated that the Government's position on any sale will be taken in the national interest, taking issues such as connectivity, investment and jobs into account.

The comments come a day after Minister for Transport Paschal Donohoe insisted that access and jobs would be core considerations in deciding whether the Government sells its 25.1% share in the airline.

Mr Donohoe said any decision made on the future of Aer Lingus would have political consequences.

He acknowledged that the retention of slots at Heathrow Airport had to be considered.

There is concern among some north Dublin TDs that the loss of the Heathrow slots could have an effect on jobs in the area.

Business and tourism groups have expressed similar concerns.

International Airlines Group, the parent group of British Airways, Iberia and Vueling, has made an offer of €2.55 per share.

Earlier bids of €2.30 and €2.40 per share were rejected.

The board of Aer Lingus said earlier this week that it is willing to recommend to shareholders that they accept the €1.37 billion offer.

Representatives of IAG met Government officials to discuss the offer earlier this week.

The UK-based airline is engaged in a due diligence with Aer Lingus, which allows it examine the Irish company's accounts.

The share price of Aer Lingus has fallen again today amid increasing opposition about the offer from IAG.

It was also revealed today that Qatar Airways has bought nearly 10% of IAG.

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin has said the employment issue is a very important one in relation to the possible sale.

Speaking on RTÉ's Today with Sean O'Rourke, he said there will be a regional impact in terms of investment in certain parts of the country.

Mr Martin also emphasised the importance of the Heathrow slots to Ireland.

"The Heathrow slots are fundamentally strategic to the country," he said.

"The protection of the Heathrow slots and that connectivity is essential and the rationale, in our view, arising from that strategic consideration is not to sell the 25% that the country has in Aer Lingus."

Fine Gael TD for Cork South Central Jerry Buttimer has said if IAG is not willing to provide cast-iron guarantees on connectivity, then he believed Aer Lingus should not be sold.

Speaking on RTÉ's News at One, Mr Buttimer said the issues being raised by him and other concerned parties needed to be taken on board by the Government.

He said the inter-departmental group that has been set up to examine the issues involved needed to apply due diligence and more information needed to be obtained from AIG about their offer.


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Call for scientific decision on blood donations

The Irish Haemophilia Society has said it believes that any change in blood donor deferral for any category of people should be based on scientific evidence.

It made its views known as Minister for Health Leo Varadkar is considering a policy review from the Irish Blood Transfusion Service on ending the lifetime ban on gay or bisexual men donating blood.

The minister has indicated that he is in favour of a change.

However, he said the issue will be decided on scientific and not equality grounds.

Speaking in Limerick, Mr Varadkar said he wanted to consult with a number of patient groups and to get the advise of the Department of Health's Chief Medical Officer, adding that all of their views require consideration. 

Mr Varadkar said it is an issue of patient safety and not an equality issue.

IHS Chief Executive Brian O'Mahony said the haemophiliac community had suffered most from infected blood products.

Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Mr O'Mahony said everything should be done to protect donated products and he said the same principles had to be applied to all groups.

He said: "We believe that any change in donor deferral for any category of people should be based on scientific evidence.

"What we're saying is that - and it's not just gay men who are deferred, people with haemophilia are deferred, UK residents are deferred, blood recipients are deferred, people who ever injected drugs are deferred - the same principle applies to all deferrals.

"If the deferral can be changed, based on scientific evidence, without increasing the risk to the safety of the blood supply, then it's acceptable."

The ban was introduced in the mid-1980s, at a time when concern about the spread of AIDS was at its height.

Gay rights groups have said the 12 month referral system should be introduced in relation to blood donations.


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Dutch TV station gunman had no terrorist links

A man who forced his way into the studios of Dutch national broadcaster NOS and demanded to go on live television had no known links to terrorist organisations and acted alone, police said today.

During the incident yesterday evening the 19-year-old took a hostage, waving a replica pistol and demanding to address the nation, apparently about a conspiracy theory.

Television footage showed the man offering no resistance when police arrested him at gunpoint.

Police said today he had admitted fabricating claims of having explosives and belonging to a "hackers" organisation.

"There is no evidence of any connection with other events in the Netherlands or abroad," a police statement said.

No one was harmed in the incident in Hilversum, 20km east of Amsterdam.

But it raised questions about the effectiveness of security measures in the wake of the deadly attacks on satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo in Paris.

It also forced the NOS off the air for the 8pm news - the most widely viewed evening news program in the country.

The suspect, whose name is not being released due to Dutch privacy laws, was to be arraigned in a closed court hearing later today.

Police spokeswoman Hilde Bakker said the man faces charges of kidnapping and making threats of violence. 

Dutch media identified the man was a first year student at the University of Delft, and quoted classmates saying he led a rich fantasy life. 


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49 killed in bomb blast at Pakistan mosque

At least 49 people have been killed in a powerful bomb blast at a Shia mosque in southern Pakistan.

More than 50 people were wounded in the attack, which happened in the city of Shikarpur, during Friday prayers.

Part of the mosque is believed to have collapsed after the explosion, trapping some of the wounded beneath the rubble.

Bystanders pulled victims from the debris and brought them to hospital by car as locals say there were not enough ambulances available.

The army later sent additional vehicles to transport people to hospitals.

A local doctor said the death toll is unclear as they attempt to compile lists from nearby cities where the wounded are taken for treatment.

Local media reports suggest that the blast could have been a suicide attack, but police are investigating.

It is not yet clear who carried out the attack but Sunni militant groups have targeted the Shia minority in the past.          


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Man being detained over Belfast murder

A suspect arrested following the murder of a Pakistani man who was stabbed to death in Belfast yesterday is being detained using mental health legislation.

The PSNI said the 32-year-old man from Somalia had been transferred from police custody to a secure medical facility in the Belfast area.

The victim, 29-year-old Mohsin Bhatti, was attacked and killed in Botanic Avenue in the university area of Belfast at 5am yesterday morning.

Police believe he may have been involved in an altercation in a nearby flat that spilled onto the street.

Two knives were recovered at the scene and the suspect sustained minor injuries.


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Barrett denies Shatter influenced debate decision

The Ceann Comhairle has said his decision to cancel a Dáil debate on the creation of a commission of inquiry into allegations of malpractice in a garda division was not influenced by any letter from former minister Alan Shatter.

Seán Barrett said that he took the decision for the motion proposing the commission to be put to the house without debate so the investigation could go ahead immediately.

The Dáil had been due to debate the terms of reference of a proposed commission to inquire into incidents in the Cavan-Monaghan garda division recommended in a report by barrister Sean Guerin.

Mr Shatter is challenging aspects of Mr Guerin's report and the Dáil debate on the matter was blocked after legal objections by the former minister. 

Speaking on RTÉ's Today with Sean O'Rourke, he said the decision he took was not influenced by any letter from Mr Shatter.

He said: "I received a letter from a firm of solicitors addressed to the Ceann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann, not a personal letter from Alan Shatter.

"I took a decision in the interest of the public so that an investigation can proceed immediately without the possibility of the Houses of the Oireachtas being hauled to the High Court and this matter being delayed and thousands of euro being spent on legal fees."

Mr Barrett said Mr Shatter's issue was that he did not want his name included in the terms of reference. 

The Opposition staged a walkout of the Dáil on Wednesday in protest at the decision, while there was further criticism from Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin in the Dáil yesterday.

Fianna Fáil leader Michael Martin described it as "appalling" that a TD would go to such lengths to silence the Dáil.

Speaking on Today with Sean O'Rourke, he said the Dáil was silenced on an issue of fundamental importance to the administration of justice.

"I think it is reprehensible that a Dáil deputy would initiate a process designed to prevent the Dáil from debating issues of fundamental process.

"That goes against the heart of parliamentary policy and Deputy Alan Shatter should not have done that," he said.

Mr Martin also said that he was disappointed with what Mr Barrett had said on the programme earlier in relation to the inquiry.

He said: "The terms of reference of a commission of investigation were not technical, that's misleading by the Ceann Comhairle to say that.

"They go to the very heart of the issues that were inquired into by Mr Guerin or the rationale for the establishment of the inquiry."

Sinn Fein's Padraig Mac Lochlainn said Mr Barrett's decision has set a dangerous precedent.

Speaking on RTÉ's News at One, Mr Mac Lochlainn said we are into very dangerous territory if a member of the Oireachtas, through their solicitor, can prevent a debate on matters of serious importance.

Mr Mac Lochlainn said it was preposterous for the former minister to argue that a High Court judge could be influenced by statements read out in the Dáil.

He said it was unacceptable that the Ceann Comhairle had facilitated that argument.

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton this morning said when the Ceann Comhairle makes a decision, political parties should accept it and move on.

Speaking at the regional publication of the Government's latest Action Plan for Jobs in Ballina, Co Mayo, Mr Bruton said he felt people were not interested in procedural wrangling between the Mr Martin and Mr Barrett.

Mr Bruton said the Ceann Comhairle was an independent manager of Dáil business and had a job to do.

Minister for Finance Michael Noonan has said he accepts Mr Barrett was acting on the best legal advice.


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Dwyer trial hears garda found Elaine O'Hara's keys

Written By Unknown on Kamis, 29 Januari 2015 | 22.40

A garda has told the Central Criminal Court that he found a set of keys linked to Elaine O'Hara in Vartry Reservoir in Co Wicklow, three days after her remains were found in the Dublin Mountains in September 2013.

Garda James O'Donoghue was giving evidence at the trial of 42-year-old Graham Dwyer, who denies murdering Ms O'Hara in August 2012.

Garda O'Donoghue returned to the bridge over the Roundwood reservoir three times, after a local angler handed in items that he had found in the lake on 10 September 2013.

William Fegan and two other men had found handcuffs, restraints, clothes and other items.  

Mr Fegan handed them into Roundwood garda station on 11 September after becoming concerned that something was not right.

Garda O'Donoghue told the court he went to the place Mr Fegan had found the items on 12 September.  

However, he said it was windy and he could not see anything in the water.

He returned on 14 September and climbed down as close to the water as he could get but again he did not see anything.

On 16 September he said the weather was much better.

He said when he looked over the bridge he saw a set of handcuffs partially submerged in the river.

He climbed down again and began searching with his hands in the water - he said the water was about 12 to 14 inches deep.

He said he felt a metallic object and pulled out a set of keys.

The jury has heard this set of keys included keys to Elaine O' Hara's apartment, her family home and her car.    

There was also a loyalty card for Dunnes Stores on the keyring.

He also found a leather mask, a knife, an inhaler and a chain with a ring on it.

He made inquiries with Dunnes Stores about the loyalty card and as a result of what they told him, he made further inquiries and found that Elaine O'Hara was a missing person.

He contacted his senior officers and later returned to the scene to seal it off as a crime scene.

Earlier, local angler William Fegan said he would fish in the lakes at Roundwood regularly and would often drive around the lake to make sure no one was illegally fishing there.

He said on the evening of 10 September 2013, he stopped his car on the bridge and met his brother and another man.

He said they were looking at the lakes and commenting on how low the water was.

Mr Fegan said it was very unusual to see the water so low.

There would normally be 15 to 20 feet of water under the bridge, but on this day after the hot summer, there was about 12 to 18 of inches of water there.

He said the last time he had seen the water so low was about ten years previously.

He said they saw rope and a shiny metal object in the water. They thought at first it was a ring from a bull's nose.

They managed to fish a number of items out.

They included handcuffs, clothes including a blue hoodie and white vest, a gag, a blindfold and leg restraints - described in court as "bondage cuffs".

He said they took the items out of the water and left them on the wall.

He said he went back the following day.  

Mr Fegan said he had had a good think about what they had found and something was niggling at him that something was not right.     

He said he put the items into a bag and brought them to Roundwood Garda Station and handed them over to a garda.


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Malaysia declares loss of flight MH370 an accident

Malaysia has formally declared missing flight MH370 an "accident" and its passengers and crew presumed dead.

The move, which opens the door for compensation payments, was met with skepticism by distraught relatives.

The Boeing 777 aircraft disappeared on 8 March last year, carrying 239 passengers and crew shortly after taking off from the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur, bound for Beijing.

Months of searches have failed to turn up any trace.

"It is therefore, with the heaviest heart and deepest sorrow that, on behalf of the government of Malaysia, we officially declare Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 an accident," civil aviation chief Azharuddin Abdul Rahman said in a televised announcement.

"All 239 of the passengers and crew on board MH370 are presumed to have lost their lives," he added.

Mr Azharuddin said the official decision that the plane's disappearance was an accident would allow families to move on and receive payments from the airlines.

"It is hoped that this declaration will enable families to obtain the assistance they need, in particular through the compensations process," he said.

However, Sarah Bajc, whose partner Philip Wood was on board the plane, poured scorn on the announcement. "I think they are lying," she said.

"It could very well be that the plane crashed. But there is no evidence, and until there is evidence we just can't believe them," she said, referring to the Malaysian government and airline.

"It is impossible to bring any closure until we have proof."

Some relatives accuse the Malaysian government and its flag carrier of a chaotic and bungled response to the plane's initial diversion, which allowed the jet to disappear, and a subsequent cover-up. 

Kuala Lumpur and Malaysia Airlines strenuously deny these charges. MH370 vanished en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing in what remains one of history's great aviation mysteries.

Malaysian authorities say satellite data indicates the plane inexplicably detoured to the remote southern Indian Ocean, which they suspect was due to "deliberate" action on-board.

But no firm evidence has turned up yet, despite an ongoing Australian-led search of the supposed crash region the most expensive search and rescue operation in history.

The search in the Indian Ocean is still going on and Malaysia is also conducting a criminal investigation, Azharuddin said.

"Both investigations are limited by the lack of physical evidence at this time, particularly the flight recorders," he said.

"Therefore, at this juncture, there is no evidence to substantiate any speculations as to the cause of the accident."

Malaysia said it, China and Australia remained firmly committed to the search.

"This declaration is by no means the end," said Mr Azharuddin.

The DCA plans to release an interim report on the investigation into the missing jet liner on 7 March, a day before the first anniversary of the disappearance, a minister said yesterday.

Meanwhile, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang told reporters Malaysia should settle claims with the families.

"We hope the Malaysian side honours its promises and fully investigates the incident, settling claims and making peace with the families, especially continuing to make all efforts to find the missing plane and its passengers," Mr Li said.

Most of the passengers on the plane were from China.


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Govt faces extra costs to pay for €100 water grant

Extra resources will be needed to cover the full cost of the Government's controversial €100 Water Conservation Grant, RTÉ News has learned.

New documents show that the Government will have to pay for a range of additional costs, including consultancy, legal and procurement costs, on top of the €100 pay out.

The latest water revelation is contained in a letter from the Secretary General of Tánaiste Joan Burton's department.

It said she needed the extra resources, which includes the cost of extra staff, to oversee and manage the payment of the new grant.

The previously unreleased document was obtained by RTÉ News under a Freedom of Information Act request.

The letter was written in November by Niamh O'Donoghue, Secretary General at the Department of Social Protection, to her counterpart Robert Watt, at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.

She warned that in light of the Government's revised approach to water charges, her department will require additional resources for the Water Conservation Grant (WGC).

Ms O'Donoghue said delivery of the grant "imposes an additional burden on the department" and, "resourcing the processing/payment of WCG applications in 2015 and beyond needs to be addressed and cannot be accommodated from within the existing resource/admin budget allocation".

Sections of the correspondence between the two Government departments have been redacted, but a letter dated 24 November last conveys the concerns in the Department of Social Protection of administering the new grant.

A new system for processing and paying out the grant will have to be introduced within the Tánaiste's department "given the universal application of WCG entitlement to a far wider client-base than our existing scheme bases".

In the letter to Mr Watt, Ms O'Donoghue said it is "critical that we advance this project quickly" so that payments of the grant can begin.

The letter ends: "I would once again reiterate that I do not have scope within the existing allocation to meet this new and additional demand."

Postal costs for writing to every household and the cost of advertisements to inform people how to apply for the grant will also have to be borne by the Tánaiste's department.

The Department of Social Protection intends to start communicating with people in the middle of this year, inviting them to apply for the grant, with the first payments to be paid in September and each subsequent year up to and including 2018.

Speaking on RTÉ's Today with Seán O'Rourke programme, Minister of State at the Department of Social Protection Kevin Humphreys said he wanted to reassure the public that the grant would be paid on time.

"What I want to reassure people today is that that payment will be made in September and that the 1.3 million households will receive the water conservation grant in September as planned in the Budget," he said.

"I don't see any excessive costs in this. We're now going to negotiate with DPAR in relation to this and make sure it's done as cost effecitively as possible."

Mr Humphreys added that he had only been aware of the issue this morning and did not know if the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform had replied to the letter from Ms O'Donoghue.

Speaking on the same programme, Fianna Fáil's Spokesperson on the Environment Barry Cowen said the Government was throwing "good money after bad" and continuing to drain the public finances.

He said people keep being reminded of the Government's total ineptitude.

Department anticipates no issues processing grant

The Department of Social Protection said this morning that it anticipates no issues in processing the grant.

It said the department is still assessing the resource requirements in respect of new initiatives for the payments system and work is ongoing.

Minister for the Environment Alan Kelly told the Dáil yesterday that an allocation of €130 million has been provided for the grant in his department's estimates for 2015.

Independent TD Catherine Murphy has said it is not surprising that extra resources will be needed to cover the full cost of the grant to those who register with Irish Water.

Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Ms Murphy said every household in the country had an entitlement to apply for the grant and it was clear this would require additional resources.

She said: "The government estimates that 1.3 million households will apply for it and that's a wider, as they would say themselves, a wider client base than any other of the social welfare payments.

"It was very obvious that there was going to be a need for additional resources within the department if you weren't going to impact negatively on claimants for social welfare payments."

Ms Murphy said the grant had nothing to do with water conservation and said the Government now needed to go back to the drawing board.

"This is an exercise in creative accounting," she said. "That's what I said in the Dáil yesterday in relation to this water conservation grant. It has nothing to do with water conservation.

"It has everything to do with satisfying the Eurostat test in relation to Irish Water."


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Public views sought on bike hangars

The public is being asked for its views on bicycle hangars that would provide secure on-street storage for cyclists.

Dublin City Council installed one on a street off Francis Street in the south city to test reaction.

It is part of the council's Beta Project which involves trying out ideas.

The hangar could take six bikes and owners would pay a yearly subscription to use the locked facility. A similar facility in London costs €38 a year.

They would take up public car parking spaces.

The hangar has been in place for over a week and already nearly 100 submission have been received with 90% supporting the idea, according to a council spokesperson.

The spokesperson added that the experiment last up to three months and after submission are evaluated a decision will be made whether to continue with the scheme.

See www.betaprojects.ie for further information or make a submission to betaprojects@dublincity.ie


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30 searches carried out in organised crime probe

Gardaí have carried out searches all over the country as part of an investigation into the activities of an organised crime gang with links to dissident republicans.

The searches are part of a long-running investigation into organised crime, focused on a Dublin businessman with links to the Real IRA.

Over 30 searches took place in Dublin, Kildare, Cork and Louth at homes, accountants and solicitors' offices, storage depots and a hotel.

Over 100 gardaí from national and specialist units, including the Organised Crime Unit and the Criminal Assets Bureau took part in the searches.

The businessman is believed to be under the protection of the dissident group, which is suspected of being involved in the murder of Andy Connors, who was shot dead last August.

Documentation, computers, cash, antique furniture, paintings, a handgun and a shotgun were seized.

No arrests have been made but gardaí say investigations are ongoing.


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ICON pledges 200 jobs as 2015 Action Plan launched

Irish multinational company ICON is to create 200 jobs in a new Global Innovation Hub. 

The posts will be in IT, Data Analytics, Clinical Science, Project Management, Finance and Human Resources.

The new positions will be split between Dublin and Limerick and will take the company's employment in Ireland to 1,200. 

The expansion has been part funded by Enterprise Ireland.

Founded in 1990, ICON provides outsourced development services to the pharmaceutical, biotech and medical device industries worldwide. 

It employs 11,000 people in 40 countries and is listed on the Nasdaq stock exchange in New York.

ICON is hosting the launch of the Action Plan for Jobs 2015 this morning.

The Government set out measures it plans to put in place to deliver its recently announced target of full employment by 2018.

The Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation has said almost 1,000 individual measures to help job creation have been introduced under the Action Plan for Jobs.

It said the measures have helped in the creation of around 80,000 jobs.

This fourth version of the plan is to have an emphasis on regional job creation initiatives and a greater role for local authorities.

It also contains measures intended to simplify the estimated 750,000 transactions between the State and businesses, cutting red tape and saving money for enterprises.


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Pope meets Spanish transsexual in Vatican

Written By Unknown on Rabu, 28 Januari 2015 | 22.40

Pope Francis has met a Spanish transsexual and his fiancée at the Vatican, according to reports.

Diego Neria Lejarraga, who is a practising Catholic, met the Pontiff after writing to him in December to complain he was being treated as an outcast in his parish in Plasencia in western Spain, according to the Spanish daily Hoy.

The 48-year old, who has undergone sexual reassignment surgery, told Pope Francis in the letter that he was treated poorly by parishioners and one priest had even called him "the devil's daughter".

The Argentine Pontiff, known for phoning people unannounced, rang Mr Lejarranga twice, including on Christmas Eve, and set up the meeting.

It took place on Saturday but was kept off the official calendar, media reports said. The Vatican would neither deny nor confirm the meeting took place.

Officially the Church does not recognise sex changes but Pope Francis has urged it to show greater compassion towards sections of society which have felt excluded from its embrace.


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Bailey's solicitor cross-examined on interview

Ian Bailey's solicitor has denied saying juries could be influenced by media coverage in advance of a case in an interview he gave to a legal publication.

Frank Buttimer is under cross-examination by counsel for the gardaí and the State in Mr Bailey's High Court action for damages for wrongful arrest.

Senior Counsel Luán Ó Braonáin read from an article published in The Parchment magazine last year in which Mr Buttimer discusses the impact of the media on the justice system in Ireland.

Mr Buttimer denied that his comments suggested that the decision of a jury could be influenced or manipulated.

He said it was nothing more than stating his opinion that solicitors should be aware of the role of the media and its influence on public perception.

Mr Buttimer said the interview, which was aimed at solicitors, was merely stating that legal practitioners should be conscious of the role of the media.

He said there were very strict rules in place ahead of trial before a jury which had to be adhered to.

Mr Buttimer accepted that he had given media interviews about Mr Bailey and had commented when asked, but he said he also had to be mindful of the impending jury trial as it got closer.

It was put to Mr Buttimer that he gave media interviews with "one eye on proceedings". He denied this.

It was put to him that there had been engagement with the media of a fairly constant kind by him on behalf of Mr Bailey and that he had been on television, radio and in newspapers.

Mr Buttimer said he had declined to comment about the case more than he had commented on it.

He said you had to look at it from Mr Bailey's point of view as well, as he had been subjected to a barrage of adverse publicity and any media engagement was a "rebalancing exercise".

Mr Buttimer said it was being suggested by the defence that he was using the media to influence the outcome of this case.

He said all he was doing was representing a client who had been the subject of such intense media interest over such a long period of time.

He said the case had attracted enormous media attention.


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Abuse of President 'an attack on democracy'

A Labour Senator has said the actions of water charge protesters at an incident involving President Michael D Higgins last week were "akin to contravening sections of the Incitement to Hatred Act".

Senator Lorraine Higgins said she believes a crime was committed after the President was targeted by verbal abuse as he attended an event at a school in Dublin on Friday.

Video footage has emerged of the incident outside Coláiste Eoin in Finglas.

Protests against President Higgins in Finglas (Contains bad language)


Speaking on RTÉ's Today with Sean O'Rourke, Senator Higgins said: "To use words in the way they were used against the President is certainly trying to stoke up discontent and is certainly trying to incite hatred against him".

She said she was "absolutely appalled" and condemned the language used and the way the President was treated.

She said that never before has the President of Ireland been subjected to this kind of abuse in the history of the State.

Senator Higgins said it was not just an attack on him as the first citizen of this country, but it was also an attack on democracy and called on gardaí to take action over the incident.

Anti-Austerity Alliance TD, Paul Murphy said the protesters had a right to protest and that the President is a legitimate target, saying he doesn't accept that the President is beyond politics.

Speaking on RTÉ's news at One, Mr Murphy said the President is elected in an election that is dominated by politics.

He urged people to protest in a peaceful and in a non-abusive way.

Mr Murhpy said he is not defending people name-calling, adding that personal abuse is utterly unhelpful for the anti-water charges movement and that anger needs to be allied with strategies that can win.

Earlier, Minister for Health Leo Varadkar said that the targeting of President Higgins amounts to an attack on the Constitution.

Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Mr Varadkar was asked for his reaction to a newspaper report that Anti-Austerity Alliance TD Paul Murphy has insisted that the President was a legitimate focus for campaigners to demonstrate against.

Mr Varadkar said: "I suppose it strikes me that as the water protesters get fewer they're getting nastier and what we have here is something that I've never seen before.

"Under our Constitution the President is above day-to-day politics. If a Bill is constitutional, he has to sign it. It's not his choice as to whether he signs it or not.

"To see him targeted in this way, I think, is an attack on our constitution and even the kind of language used against him really is beneath common decency."

Taoiseach Enda Kenny condemned the protest describing it as disgraceful.

Speaking on Newstalk, Mr Kenny said the President was carrying out his duties and while people have a right to protest, the President is above party politics. 

Labour TD for Dublin North West John Lyons said the actions of the protesters were "completely out of kilter with the very positive event being held in the school".

Mr Lyons, who was at the event, said he believed the protesters do not have the support of the vast majority of people in Finglas.

"On a day when there was an opportunity to celebrate the positives in the community, it is disappointing that a very small number of protesters have taken away from that," he said. 


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Bloodstains and cuts found on O'Hara mattress

A garda who examined Elaine O'Hara's apartment after her remains had been found said he found bloodstains and cuts on the mattress in her bedroom.

Garda Brian Barry said he was involved in a search of Ms O'Hara's apartment in Stepaside on 19 September 2013.

He said he found a number of puncture cuts on the mattress and found a number of plastic tie wraps on the floor of the bedroom. He said there were bloodstains on the mattress.

Inspector Brian O'Keeffe gave evidence that he had been given a set of keys, which were found during the investigation.

He said there were three loyalty cards on the keys for Dunnes Stores, Superquinn and Apple Green service station. He told the court he made inquiries in relation to them.

Inspector O'Keeffe said nine keys were found. One related to a Fiat car that was previously owned by Ms O'Hara. He was present when the key started that car.

He also said there were three keys that opened doors at Belarmine Plaza where she lived.

One of the keys opened the door to number 97. Another opened the door to the post box for number 97 and one was for the outside block.

There were also keys that opened doors at the O'Hara family home in Killiney and a further key that opened a door at the school where Ms O'Hara worked.

The gardaí were giving evidence in the murder trial of Graham Dwyer.

Mr Dwyer denies murdering Ms O'Hara on 22 August 2012.

No evidence of trauma found on O'Hara's bones

A forensic anthropologist who examined the remains of Ms O'Hara in September 2013 said she found no evidence of any trauma to her bones either before Ms O'Hara's death or at the time of her death.

Laureen Buckley said 60-65% of Ms O'Hara's skeleton was recovered.

She concluded that Ms O'Hara had been dead for about a year, but no more than two years.

Ms Buckley said the bones were almost fully skeletonised and hardly any of the soft tissue remained.

But she said the bones were in a very good state of preservation and she was satisfied the bones were those of a female in her 30s.

Ms Buckley said there was no evidence of any "scorching" to the bones.   

This had been noticed by one of the gardaí at the scene, but she said decomposition of the body would sometimes give that appearance.

The trial earlier heard from gardaí who went to Kilakee Mountain in Co Dublin on 13 September 2013, after the owner of land there contacted gardaí to say that a woman had found human remains.

Garda Alan Young said the land owner, Frank Doyle, and the woman, Magali Vergnet, brought gardaí to the wooded area where she had found the remains.

He said he noticed what appeared to be a lower jaw bone, part of a rib cage, tracksuit bottoms and a runner.

Garda Young contacted his senior officers and cordoned off the area.

He said he did not recall anyone pointing out the rusty blade of a knife at the scene to gardaí. He added that he was not aware of any knife.

The court was told a doctor was brought to the scene on 14 September 2013.

In a statement read to the court, Dr James Moloney said he identified the remains as human and pronounced death at 8.10am.

He subsequently learned the remains were those of Elaine O'Hara.

The court heard the lower jaw bone found at the scene was sent from the City Morgue to the Dublin Dental Hospital on 17 September 2013.

The court heard the jaw bone was examined by oral surgeon Dr Mary Clarke at the morgue on 16 September and in the dental hospital the following day.

The jaw bone was examined and compared to Ms O'Hara's dental records.

Dr Clarke identified the bone as belonging to Ms O'Hara, the court heard.


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Jordan ready to exchange prisoner for pilot

A Jordanian spokesperson has said it is ready to hand over a would-be-suicide bomber if pilot Muath al-Kasaesbeh is released by the Islamic State group.

Mr Kasaesbeh was captured after his jet crashed in northeastern Syria in December during a bombing mission against the militants.

IS had warned that he had less than 24 hours to live if Sajida al-Rishawi was not released from death row.

The Iraqi woman is being held by Jordan for her role in a 2005 suicide bombing that killed 60 people in the capital Amman.

Several hundred people, including relatives of the Jordanian pilot, gathered in front of the office of Jordan's prime minister last night.

They urged the authorities to meet the demands of IS and release al-Rishawi to save the young pilot's life.

The pilot's father Safi Kasaesbeh said: "I call on all Jordanians to stand as one, calling for the end of Muath's captivity quickly. They have to meet any demand made by Islamic State."

Mr Kasaesbeh was threatened in a video along with Japanese hostage Kenji Goto.

Meanwhile, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has described as "despicable" the latest video from the militants.

It was the third video involving the 47-year-old Mr Goto, a veteran war reporter.

Mr Abe reiterated that Japan was calling on Jordan to cooperate in working for Mr Goto's quick release.

He later told parliament that Japan would not give in to terrorism.

The hostage issue is the deepest diplomatic crisis Mr Abe, who must tread a fine line between appearing firm but not callous, has faced in just over two years in office.

"While making every effort to contribute proactively to world peace and stability without giving in to terrorism, we will exert all means to prevent terrorism in our country," Mr Abe told parliament's upper house.

Mother makes emotional appeal

The mother of Mr Goto has begged Mr Abe to save her son's life.

"Dear Mr Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, please save the life of Kenji," said Junko Ishido.

"I call on you to work with all your strength in negotiations with the Jordanian government, until the very end.

"When I see your kind face (Mr Abe), I don't remember what was said, my mind goes blank and all I can do is cry. I beg you Mr Prime Minister Shinzo Abe."

Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida told reporters earlier that Japan was making every effort in close coordination with Jordan to secure the captives' early release, but he declined comment on the content of those discussions.

Mr Goto went to Syria in late October in order, according to friends and business associates, to seek the release of Haruna Yukawa, his friend and fellow Japanese citizen who was captured in August.

In the first video released last week, a black-clad masked figure with a knife said Mr Goto and Mr Yukawa would be killed within 72 hours if Japan did not pay IS $200 million.

The captor resembled a figure from previous IS videos whose British-accented threats have preceded beheadings.

A video on Saturday appeared to show Mr Goto with a picture of a beheaded Mr Yukawa, saying his captors' demands had switched to the release of al-Rishawi.

"Time is now running very short," the latest video said, with an audio track over a still picture that appeared to show Mr Goto holding a picture of the pilot.


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Garda shot during attempted mugging in New Orleans

A garda has been shot during an attempted mugging while on holiday in New Orleans in the US.

Garda Brian Hanrahan, 32, from Killenaule, in Tipperary was on holiday with his father.

He was taken to hospital, where is condition is described as "not life threatening".

The married father-of-one is stationed at Newcastle West in Limerick.

The New Orleans Police Department said the shooting happened at approximately 5.40am local time yesterday at the intersection of New Orleans Street and North Tonti Street in the 7th Ward.

Fine Gael TD Patrick O'Donovan, who knows Garda Hanrahan, said he is well known in the town and wider area.

Mr O'Donovan said it was shocking news for his farmily, colleagues and friends in the town, adding that it is not the type of news you expect to hear from someone who has gone to a well-known city on holidays.


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'Insufficient evidence' to charge Bailey

Written By Unknown on Selasa, 27 Januari 2015 | 22.40

Former director of public prosecutions James Hamilton has told the High Court there was insufficient evidence to charge Ian Bailey with the murder of Sophie Toscan Du Plantier.

Mr Hamilton also said that no further evidence came to light in subsequent years that was significant enough to change his decision.

Mr Hamilton was giving evidence in Mr Bailey's action against gardaí and the State for wrongful arrest during the investigation into the murder of Ms Toscan du Plantier in Cork in 1996.

Mr Hamilton was appointed DPP in 1999 and was given a file prepared for his predecessor on the case.

He said the decision not to prosecute was not always a final one.

Mr Hamilton said gardaí would sometimes uncover new evidence through advances in technology or science, but that had not happened in this case.

He said he communicated his decision and the reasons behind it to gardaí.

In cross-examination, Mr Hamilton disagreed that a decision not to prosecute was based on the likelihood of a jury bringing in a decision to convict.

He said the DPP's decision was based on whether or not a case would even make it to a jury trial.

It was not as high a standard as that required for a jury to convict, he said.

He said: "Investigators act on suspicion. We have to act on evidence."


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Government to contact IAG on Aer Lingus bid

Transport Minister Paschal Donohoe has said an interdepartmental expert group is to make contact with IAG to assess the issues surrounding their potential offer for Aer Lingus. 

The Minister pointed out that the group had made a proposal to make an offer and that no formal offer had yet actually been made.

Mr Donohoe said it was up to IAG to spell out their intentions regarding Aer Lingus in the event of them making an offer.

He said he would come back to the Government with recommendations that would be in the long term interest of the economy and the country.  

Any decision would be taken on other issues besides the share price,  including connectivity, competition  and the effect on employment in the airline, he added. 

Meanwhile, SIPTU, the largest trade union in Aer Lingus, is calling on the Government not to sell its share of the airline unless there are guarantees on jobs.

IAG, the owner of British Airways and Iberia, is offering just over €1.3 billion for the airline, of which the State owns a 25.1% stake and rival Ryanair holds almost 30%.

Speaking on Today with Sean O'Rourke, SIPTU President Jack O'Connor said the sale would have far reaching implications for staff and, he said, they need to be protected.

The board of Aer Lingus has said it is willing to recommend to shareholders that they accept IAG's offer.

In a statement to the stock exchange this morning, Aer Lingus said its board has indicated that the financial terms of IAG third proposal for the airline are at a level it is willing to recommend.

Yesterday, Aer Lingus said it was considering IAG's latest offer of €2.55 per share for the airline.

Aer Lingus said today that its board notes IAG's intentions regarding the future of the company, in particular that Aer Lingus would operate as a separate business with its own brand, management and operations.

It would also continue to provide connectivity to Ireland, while benefiting from the scale of being part of the larger IAG group.

Any takeover would have to be approved by the Government and Ryanair before it could proceed. Other notable investors include Etihad.

Two earlier bids of €2.30 and €2.40 per share from IAG were rebuffed by the Aer Lingus board in recent weeks.

Aer Lingus shares moved higher in Dublin trade today.

Minister Howlin says Government will consider all issues carefully

The Cabinet met today and discussed the recommended takeover offer.

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Brendan Howlin said the Government will consider very carefully all the issues in relation to the potential sale of its stake in Aer Lingus.

He said even if the Government kept all its 25% share it would be possible for an outside interest to have a controlling share in Aer Lingus.

He said growth, development and economic benefit for the people of Ireland would be critical to any decision the Government makes in relation to its minority shareholding.

Fianna Fáil's finance spokesman Michael McGrath has said any plan to sell Aer Lingus at this stage is ill-advised and short-sighted.

Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, he said Fianna Fáil was opposed to the proposed takeover due to concerns about the retention of the Heathrow slots and the risk of job losses within the company.

He said the party believes it is in the long-term interest of the State to maintain a strategic interest in the airline.

Mr McGrath also said assurances given at this time by IAG have to be viewed with a degree of scepticism, particularly as to whether the assurances are legally binding.

A statement from IAG this morning said that it believes its proposal for Aer Lingus would secure and strengthen the Irish airline's brand and long term future within a successful and profitable European airline group.

It said it recognises the importance of direct air services and air route connectivity for investment and tourism in Ireland, adding that it will engage with the Government here in order to secure its support for the deal.

IAG said that if the deal goes through, Aer Lingus would join the oneworld alliance, of which BA and Iberia are members. The airline would also join the joint business that IAG operates over the North Atlantic with American Airlines.

It said this would leverage the natural traffic flows between Ireland and the US and the "advantageous geographical position of Dublin for serving connecting flows,".

It said that a further statement will be made "if and when appropriate".

Heathrow slots a key focus of deal

IAG's interest in Aer Lingus stems from its desire for additional Heathrow runway slots as well as the opportunity to deliver more industry cost efficiencies. 

Aer Lingus is the fourth busiest operator at London's Heathrow behind British Airways, Lufthansa and Virgin Atlantic.

Its fortunes have improved in recent months and, under chief executive Christoph Mueller, the airline reported its strongest summer trading performance since the financial crisis, with operating profits up 19% to €112.9m in the quarter to the end of September. 

The airline carried nearly a quarter more long-haul passengers in the period than a year earlier, while increasing its revenue per seat. 

It plans to launch a new Dublin to Washington service in May and will also increase services on existing transatlantic routes. 

IAG was formed from the merger of British Airways and Iberia in 2011. It has around 430 aircraft and employs more than 60,000 people. It is headed up by Willie Walsh, who was formerly CEO of Aer Lingus.

A restructuring programme at the previously loss-making Iberia has seen 2,500 staff leave the airline under a voluntary redundancy programme.

'Selling Aer Lingus to Willie Walsh is not just about money' - A blog by David Murphy


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Chains found in Elaine O'Hara's home, trial told

A garda who searched Elaine O'Hara's apartment after she was reported missing said a number of items he found struck him as unusual.

Retired garda Ultan Sherlock was giving evidence at the trial of 42-year-old Graham Dwyer who denies murdering Ms O'Hara on 22 August 2012.

Mr Sherlock, who is now retired, said he went to Ms O'Hara's apartment at Belarmine in Stepaside with members of her family after she was reported missing.

He said they wanted to see if they could find anything which would lead them to Ms O'Hara's whereabouts.

He told the court the apartment was tidy and very well kept.

He said he found two large, heavy chains in a locker beside her bed. He said it struck him as unusual that they were beside her bed.

He said a rope was also found. It was similar to a washing line and he did not think there was a washing line in the apartment building, the court was told.

Garda John Paul Durcan, who was appointed family liaison officer to the O'Hara family after Elaine was reported missing, said he would regularly inform the family about developments.

He said before items relating to Ms O'Hara were found in Vartry Reservoir in 2013, a number of people were questioned after gardaí had retrieved data from a phone and a computer.

He said the O'Hara family were very worried and concerned about the information which had come to hand initially.

However, he said at some time before Elaine's body was found the family had accepted she took her own life.

He said they never expressed any concern about the efforts of the gardaí.

The trial is continuing.


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1,500 copies of Charlie Hebdo arrive in Ireland

Copies of the Charlie Hebdo magazine have been distributed overnight to around 120 retailers in Ireland.

A spokesman for EM News Distribution Limited said 1,500 copies have been distributed following a delay of 11 days since the initial anticipated date of delivery.

Until now, the distributor's associated company in Britain, Menzies, had difficulties securing a substantial number of copies of the survivors' edition of the title.

Millions of copies of that edition were produced after 17 people were killed in three days of violence by Islamist extremists in Paris three weeks ago.

Twelve people, including some of France's best known cartoonists, were killed at the offices of the magazine on 7 January.

The current edition depicts the Prophet Muhammad on its cover, an act which is regarded by many Moslems as blasphemous.

The Islamic Cultural Centre in Dublin has said it will seek legal advice if such depictions are published in Ireland to establish if they are in breach of the Republic's anti-blasphemy law.


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Travel bans lifted as NY escapes worst of snow

A blizzard swept across the northeastern United States today, dropping more than 30cm of snow across Massachusetts and Connecticut.

But its impact on New York City fell short of dire predictions.

The governors of New York and New Jersey lifted travel bans they had imposed a day earlier and New York City's subway system was set to restart, though officials urged people who did not have to drive to stay off snow-covered roads.

A blizzard warning remained in effect for much of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, where snow was expected to go on falling through the day at a rate as high as 5-8cm an hour.

However, the National Weather Service lifted its blizzard warning for the New York City area.             

Some in New York criticised the aggressive warnings of officials including Mayor Bill de Blasio, who for the first time in history ordered the city's subway to close for a snowstorm.

Officials with vivid memories of disasters including 2012's Superstorm Sandy defended their actions.             

Some cab drivers in New York doubled fares and sought to pack additional passengers into their vehicles as office workers headed to their jobs.             

On New York's Long Island, Suffolk County Police said a teenager died late last night when he crashed into a lamppost in the street where he was snow-tubing.             

The New York Stock Exchange opened as usual, said spokesman Eric Ryan. Nasdaq OMX Group, and BATS Global Markets also expected to stay open for normal operating hours.  

The last time bad weather closed the stock markets was in October 2012 when Sandy hit the east coast.           

Travel was still badly hit, with more than 4,500 flights cancelled at US airports.                   

New Yorkers were divided on whether officials had over-reacted in ordering dramatic shutdowns ahead of the storm.           

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo defended the decisions, which had included a driving ban in New York City and its surrounding counties overnight.             

"I would rather, if there is a lean one way or another, lean towards safety because I have seen the consequences the other way and it gets very frightening very quickly.

"We have had people die in storms," Mr Cuomo told reporters. "I would rather be in a situation where we say 'We got lucky'."           

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo declares State of Emergency

Some of the heaviest snowfall was recorded in parts of Connecticut and Massachusetts, with about 50cm reported in around Worcester, well over 15cm reported in New York City's Central Park.             

Suffolk County, east of New York City, also saw 60cm of snow in spots.             

Fewer Massachusetts residents and businesses lost power than  expected, said Governor Charlie Baker, saying that temperatures well below freezing had resulted in light snow.

High winds could yet result in additional outages, he said.             

"We'll continue to see high winds throughout the course of the day," Mr Baker said. "People should spend the morning digging out, cleaning up."             

Significant flooding was reported in coastal communities south of Boston, the state police said.

Sustained winds in the area might hit 64km/h, though gusts as high as 126km/h were recorded on the island of Nantucket, off Massachusetts, where extensive power outages were reported.

 Massachusetts' Pilgrim nuclear plant powered down after lines allowing it to transmit electricity went down, officials said.

The United Nations headquarters gave itself a day off. East coast schools, including New York City - the nation's largest public school system, serving 1m students - shut down.

Universities, including Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, cancelled classes.           

Coastal flood warnings were issued from Delaware to Maine, and National Weather Service officials reported today that waves just a few kilometres outside of Boston Harbour approached six metres.             

Amtrak suspended rail services between New York and Boston, and into New York State, Vermont, Massachusetts and Maine.

Gallery: Blizzard hits eastern US


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Man critical after woman allegedly held in Dublin

The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission is investigating an incident following reports of the alleged false imprisonment of a woman in Dublin.

It is understood the incident began in the Ringsend area of the city when a 33-year-old man is believed to have dragged a woman into a car.

It is believed the man may have been armed.

He drove around the southside of the city for a time before stopping at a petrol station in Templeogue. 

It is believed that while there the woman made contact with two unarmed, uniformed gardaí, who confronted the man.

The man drove off at speed when confronted, with gardaí pursuing him.

The Spawell roundabout (Pic: Google Street View)

The man lost control of the car and crashed on the city side of the Spawell roundabout. A gunshot was later heard.

The man was taken to Tallaght Hospital, where he is said to be in a critical condition.

The woman is understood to be severely traumatised and is helping gardaí with their inquiries.

Both GSOC and gardaí are investigating the incident.


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Planning permission given for Wicklow hospice

Written By Unknown on Senin, 26 Januari 2015 | 22.40

The Wicklow Hospice Foundation has received planning permission for its 15-bed hospice at Magheramore, overlooking the sea near Brittas Bay.

The permission for the stand alone specialist unit has been granted by Wicklow County Council.

The foundation is awaiting news from the Health Service Executive for funding for the day-to-day running of the long-planned project.

It has already raised €3 million towards the building costs through charitable donations and a contribution from The American Ireland Fund.

Local resident and multi-Oscar winning actor, Daniel Day-Lewis, is one of the foundation's patrons.

The land has been donated by the Columban Sisters and St John of God, the healthcare provider, has agreed to operate the facility.

The foundation hope to have it completed and open by late 2017.


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Lowry defends 'not bad looking' comment

Independent TD Michael Lowry has said he wrote a note to the Taoiseach, published in yesterday's Sunday Independent, asking him to re-appoint Valerie O'Reilly to the board of the National Transport Authority.

He told RTÉ's News At One that such notes would not be uncommon or unusual and that it happens in the Dáil all the time.

He said that Ms O'Reilly is highly capable and very efficient, and that she should be considered for re-appointment on those conditions.

According to the TD, he gives references every day of the week and he claimed "we do that in politics".

In relation to his comments about Ms O'Reilly being "bright, intelligent and not bad looking either", Mr Lowry said that it was not meant to be sexist, and that it was a light-hearted, unnecessary comment.

He said that he had no regrets over the note.

Deputy Lowry said that the note came about when, sometime last week, Ms O'Reilly asked him to convey a message to Government that she was willing to remain on as a board member.

He said that her application was in process and after she made the request of him, he made his own inquiries as to how she had performed as a member of the board and that he was told that she was an excellent board member.

Mr Lowry said that he wrote the note in the Dáil chamber and that it was not a conditional request or a demand, describing it as a "reference".

He said that he was contacted on Saturday morning by a journalist from the Sunday Independent telling him that he had this note and that the Taoiseach had left the note behind in the Dáil chamber.

Deputy Lowry said that he was told by the journalist that the note was picked up and given to him by a Labour member of the Government.

He said that he has never had a situation where a woman took exception to a compliment on her appearance; on her nice dress, or on a nice pair of shoes or hairstyle, asking whether a politician is allowed to make a compliment.

Mr Lowry said that he was not sure whether the Taoiseach had read the note because it was intercepted on the Government benches and given directly to a journalist. 

"On the looks, that was a light-hearted, unnecessary comment that I made. I've never had a situation where a woman took exception to a compliment on her appearance; on her nice dress, or a nice pair of shoes or hairstyle. Are you telling me that a politician is not allowed to make a compliment? It wasn't meant to be a sexist comment," he said.

"Her capabilities are well proven, her CV speaks for itself, her contribution to the board speaks for itself. And I've already said it was a light-hearted comment and it was an unnecessary comment," Mr Lowry added. 


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Mulherin says Kenya calls were not personal

Fine Gael TD Michelle Mulherin has said that none of the calls she made from her Dáil office to Kenya were personal.

The Co Mayo TD was responding to reports that she made calls totalling €2,000 to an individual mobile phone number in Kenya.

Speaking on RTÉ's Today with Sean O'Rourke, Ms Mulherin said she was not in a position to comment on the cost of the calls but emphasised that they were made in the course of her work.

Ms Mulherin said she was never contacted by the Oireachtas in relation to any problem with phone calls.

She said that, for the most part, the phone calls she made to Kenya related to a third party, who was a private citizen, who had been defamed in a newspaper article.

She confirmed that the person was Danson Kole, a friend who had previously helped in her election campaign.

When asked were all the phone calls to the same number, Ms Mulherin said that she did not know, adding she has asked the Ceann Comhairle to look into the situation.

Ms Mulherin said that if there is a problem she will have no problem paying or refunding money.

The calls were discovered as part of an investigation by RTÉ's Investigations Unit.

Read more from RTÉ's Investigations Unit here.

Ms Mulherin said she had contacted the Ceann Comhairle and asked him to investigate the issue and was open to whatever he had to say about it, including the propriety of the calls.

She said she would like to get more information on the calls because currently all of the information was coming from the media.

She said the costs did seem expensive and if there was a problem she would have no problem paying the money, but insisted the all the calls were made in the course of her work.

Ms Mulherin questioned whether the controversy meant that the confidentiality which is assured to the communications of TDs and Senators by the Constitution was "gone by the wayside." 

She said that she did not have a personal life and all her life was "taken up with politics", which did not leave her " the liberty of making long, lengthy personal phone calls out of Leinster House". 


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Tsipras sworn in as Greek prime minister

Syriza leader Alexis Tsipras has been sworn in as Greek Prime Minister after his party swept to power on a campaign to end austerity and renegotiate the country's debt.

Mr Tspiras, 40, is the youngest Greek prime minister in 150 years.

Wearing a blue jacket and white shirt, characteristically without a tie, he also broke with tradition by taking a civil instead of a religious oath, pledging to "always serve the interests of the Greek people".

The small Greek nationalist Independent Greeks party will join a coalition government under Syriza, their leader has said. 

"From this moment on there is a government, we will give a vote of confidence to the new prime minister," Independent Greeks leader Panos Kammenos said.

His comments came after a meeting with Mr Tsipras.

With most of the votes in yesterday's general election counted, Syriza won 149 seats, just short of an overall majority.

The euro fell to $1.10 on news of the result, its lowest level in 11 years and Greek stocks opened 2% down this morning.

The result will dominate today's meeting of eurozone finance ministers in Brussels.

Syriza's victory could mark a decisive shift in the ongoing eurozone debt problems.

Speaking before jubilant supporters last night, Mr Tsipras said it would bring an end to the programme of budget cuts and reforms which he referred to as "the memorandum of catastrophe".

During the campaign, Mr Tsipras promised to cut Greece's €320 billion debt in half. 

Greek election - key points

He said the new Greek government would be ready to negotiate with its eurozone partners what he called a new sustainable solution.

Mr Tsipras, speaking in central Athens, also said his party's victory made the "Troika a thing of the past".

"The verdict of the Greek people ends, beyond any doubt, the vicious circle of austerity in our country," Mr Tsipras said.

"The verdict of the Greek people, your verdict, annuls today in an indisputable fashion the bailout agreements of austerity and disaster.

"The verdict of the Greek people renders the troika a thing of the past for our common European framework."

Although Syriza has fallen just short of an overall majority, the scale of the victory, just over 35%, will significantly alter the balance of political opinion in Europe about how to restore economic growth.

It will strengthen the hand of those in the centre left, like French President Francois Hollande and Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi who have argued that austerity has run its course.

A spokesperson for Angela Merkel said the German chancellor expects the new Greek government to uphold its commitments to international creditors.

"In our view it is important for the new government to take action to foster Greece's continued economic recovery," the spokesman, Steffen Seibert, told reporters. "That also means Greece sticking to its previous commitments."

Without the Troika there will be 'no further loans'

A leading member of Germany's ruling party has said he expects that Mr Tsipras will default on his election promises, do a deal with Europe and accept austerity.

Michael Fuchs, vice president of the CDU/CSU group, said if he wants to stay in the eurozone and if he wants further loans, then he has to stay with the austerity.  If not then he has to find another way. 

Mr Fuchs said that despite the election of the anti-austerity party, Greece still owes money that must be re-paid.

He said the loans were given to Greece under contract with very clear conditions attached and they were willing to continue that arrangement. 

But he added that the Troika will make the decision and whether Mr Tsipras likes it or not, without the Troika there will be no further loans.

Mr Fuchs said Greece still needs money and if it does not get it from the EU or Troika via the European Stability Mechanism, then it might be difficult to get it from other places.

He said he did not feel Greece was already prepared to come back to the financial market and that the country needs to be more competitive.

An executive board member at the European Central Bank has said it cannot take part in any debt cut for Greece.

In a newspaper interview, Benoit Coeure said: "It is not up to the ECB to decide whether Greece needs debt relief", adding this was a political decision.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Charlie Flanagan said there is much speculation about the change of government in Greece, but its very early to speculate on implications for the eurozone and the EU.


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2,000 flights cancelled ahead of US blizzard

The first flakes ahead of a potentially historic blizzard began swirling through New York City, with forecasters predicting up to 90cm of snow in the coming days.

The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a blizzard warning for New York City and surrounding areas beginning at 6pm Irish time and warned of two days of winter storms across the East Coast, from Pennsylvania to Maine.              

Airlines have cancelled more than 2,000 flights so far.              

"This could be the biggest snowstorm in the history of this city," New York Mayor Bill de Blasio said yesterday.             

Mr de Blasio told residents of America's most populous city to stay off the roads and to "prepare for something worse than we have seen before."

Some Aer Lingus flights between Dublin and New York have been cancelled today due to the weather conditions. 

A spokesperson for the airline said customers will be re-accommodated on the next available flights.

All customers are advised to check the status of their flight on the website.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo urged people to work from home, saying the city's bus and subway systems could be closed ahead of this evening commute, along with the Metro North Railroad and the Long Island Rail Road as well as other commuter rail services.

The biggest snowfall on record in New York City came during the storm of 11-12 February 2006, dropping 68cm, according to the city's Office of Emergency Management.

The NWS called the approaching system a "crippling and potentially historic blizzard," with many areas along the east  coast expected to be blanketed by 30-60cm of snow.

The New York City area could be the hardest hit, with lashing winds topping 81km/h and snowfall of 76cm or more in some suburbs.

Flight-tracking website Flightaware.com showed 2,117 flights cancelled by this morning, including more than 500 at the three main airports serving New York City.

Delta Air Lines has cancelled at least 600 flights, while United Airlines will eliminate all of tomorrow's flights at airports in New York, Boston and Philadelphia.

The carrier will begin limiting operations tonight at Newark, LaGuardia and John F Kennedy airports in the New York area, a spokeswoman said.

Southwest Airlines has cancelled more than 130 of 3,410 flights scheduled for today.

American Airlines said it expected "quite a few" flights to be affected.

Cities along the heavily populated east coast had snow ploughs and trucks on standby to dispense road salt.

The Greater New York Taxi Association, an organisation of taxi operators in New York City, said its members will offer free taxi rides to emergency workers unable to get to work and the elderly who might be stranded by the snow.

In Philadelphia and many other cities, shoppers rushed to stores to pick up last-minute staples.

Pennsylvania's Department of Transportation said it had readied 5,400 equipment operators and 2,700 trucks to work through the storm.

Schools in Philadelphia will shut early today and in

New York, Mr de Blasio said school children could probably expect to have tomorrow off.


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O'Brien sentence for rape revised after appeal

A 74-year-old man has been jailed for nine years for sexually abusing and raping his daughter over a ten-year period.

The revised sentence follows a finding by the Court of Appeal that his original sentence was lenient.

Patrick O'Brien was jailed for three years after admitting to the rape and indecent assault of Fiona Doyle when she was a child at their home in Dún Laoghaire from 1973 to 1982.

Reacting to the new sentence imposed on her father, Ms Doyle said she is delighted.

She said she is not a victim any more, she is a survivor.

She added that it has been a long road with its ups and downs but she is now a different woman than she was two years ago.

Sentencing Judge Mr Justice Paul Carney had described O'Brien's abuse of his daughter as one of the worst cases one could possibly find.

Taking account of his health problems, Mr Justice Carney sentenced O'Brien to 12 years in prison, suspended the final nine and granted him bail pending an appeal.

Bail was taken from him a few days later, the court heard.

Following a review of his sentence, the Court of Appeal stated last week that despite serious illness and advanced age O'Brien cannot be considered a person for whom prison would be "impossible to tolerate".

The court found that Mr Justice Carney erred in principle in suspending nine years of the 12-year sentence he handed down in the case last year.

It imposed a new sentence on O'Brien today, suspending three years of the original 12-year sentence.

O'Brien is elderly, suffers from diabetes and is visually impaired but the court said none of these conditions are life threatening and can be managed with appropriate medical treatment in custody.

Mr Justice Sean Ryan pointed out today that the challenge was to the suspension of nine years, not the original sentence and ruled that 12 years was the appropriate sentence.

He said the court would allow O'Brien credit for his guilty plea and suspended three years of the original sentence.

He said a guilty plea is a most important feature in a case where the accused acknowledges responsibility but particularly in a case of historic sexual abuse.

Sometimes, he said, victims are abused as children and disbelieved as adults and a guilty plea removes one of those potential wrongs.

He also said the court wishes to observe that should O'Brien's health deteriorate, the Executive has the power to take account of that and mark arrangements for it including remission or temporary release.

'I'm not a victim any more, I'm now a survivor' - Fiona Doyle

Fiona Doyle described her father as "a monster" who got what he "deserves" and is "back where he belongs".

At a press conference in Dublin this afternoon she said she had now "taken back control of her life".


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Aer Lingus takeover bid will be considered by Govt

Written By Unknown on Minggu, 25 Januari 2015 | 22.40

The Government will give serious consideration to any takeover bid for Aer Lingus, Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Paschal Donohoe has said.

Minister Donohoe is due to brief the Cabinet on Tuesday in relation to reports of a third offer made by International Airlines Group to buy the airline.

He told RTÉ's The Week in Politics that all issues in relation to retaining slots at Heathrow Airport, as well as job security at Dublin, Shannon and Cork airports will be considered.

Speaking on the same programme Sinn Féin Brian Stanley said he is against any takeover bid.

"Aer Lingus is very important, it's very important to this State, it's a very important brand, very important in terms of tourism, and in terms of connectivity.

"There are important slots at Heathrow and the concerns that we would have is that IAG  would use those slots for transatlantic reasons.

"And we would have huge concerns about the future of Shannon as well if Aer Lingus is sold off", he said.

Joan Burton has said direct airline connections are critically important for investment in the country and for tourism and that "connectivity" is vital for people in Ireland.

Speaking on RTÉ's This Week, she said the issue of a possible bid by IAG for Aer Lingus has come up before and "we won't actually know until tomorrow what the actual position is, as this is a matter for the company and the board in the first instance.

"Certainly what we will we want to do as a Government, and what is absolutely important, is to protect the slots and the connections of direct flights in and out of Ireland.

"The flights into Heathrow are of enormous value to Ireland ... and that will be absolutely foremost in the Government's mind in terms of Aer Lingus as a really significant airline and the national airline...

"The key thing is that we keep that connectivity," she said.

"We don't know what the details of this offer are yet, so speculation on that at this point would be premature, but what we have said when previous offers where indicated in relation to Aer Lingus that was a critical issue for the Government and also for the country." 

Yesterday it was reported that discussions were under way to decide if the offer by IAG, believed to be worth €2.50 a share, should be accepted.

This would value the airline at €1.3bn.

The Aer Lingus board has already rejected two offers made by the International Airlines Group worth €2.30 and €2.40 a share.

However, reports yesterday suggest the airline is edging closer to a deal with IAG boss Willie Walsh.

It comes a decade after Mr Walsh stepped down as Aer Lingus CEO, after a failed bid for a management buy-out of the carrier.

Analysts say it is not just history that makes Aer Lingus an attractive proposition for him.

Senior Equity Analyst in Transportation at Davy's Stephen Furlong said IAG's desire for additional runway slots at Heathrow and Aer Lingus' existing operations are all of interest to the group.

If the offer is accepted it will be up to the Government, which holds a 25.1% share, to decide whether to accept or reject it.

This latest bid comes at a time when the other major shareholder, Ryanair, is coming under pressure to reduce its 29.9% stake in the airline on competition grounds.


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Poll shows reservations on same-sex marriage

The latest 'Red C' Sunday Business Post poll has found although a majority of those surveyed intend to vote 'Yes' in the referendum, many have reservations about same-sex marriage.

A total of 77% of those surveyed said they intend to vote 'Yes'  (59% agreeing strongly; 18% agreeing slightly).

Against this, the disagree slightly (9%) and disagree strongly (13%) total 22%.

Analysis of the figures by Richard Colwell of Red C reveals that over a third of those whose intend to vote for the referendum still have reservations including concerns about same-sex couples adopting children.

When these are factored out of the overall figure, the  core 'Yes' vote drops to 44%.

A total of 81% of those polled agreed that people in same-sex relationships should be able to have the same rights as "traditional families", which is a rise of one per cent from February of last year.

The Sunday Business Post said the overall figures indicate that many votes in favour of the Government proposal are "soft", which means people could change their minds before polling day.


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Prisoner who jumped from prison van is recaptured

A prisoner who escaped while being escorted by prison service staff from a hospital appointment in mid-December has been recaptured and is back in Portlaoise Prison.

Lee McDonnell, was seen at Rowlagh Avenue in Ronanstown west Dublin shortly before 5pm yesterday.

Gardai recaptured the 23-year-old after a chase.

McDonnell, originally from Lough Conn Road, Ballyfermot, has over 70 previous convictions.


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Greeks head to polls in crucial election

Some 10 million Greek voters are going to the polls today in an election that could have major implications for that country's future in the eurozone, and for the fortunes of anti-austerity parties in a number of EU member states.


Opinion polls have put the far-left Syriza party well in front, with the centre-right New Democracy party running second.

Syriza's election promises to reject the country's bailout related austerity programme and to push aggressively for a debt write down have placed the party on a potential collision course with its international lenders.


The outgoing New Democracy-led coalition had hoped to exit the country's bailout last year and to secure its political fortunes.

But it was not to be. The markets took fright at Greece trying to go it alone, and persistent disagreement with the troika of lenders over reform targets pushed the country back into crisis. 

Since the election was called in December, the far left Syriza alliance has been riding high in the polls. Under its charismatic leader Alexis Tsipras it has promised to discard austerity and reform measures, to boost public spending, and to negotiate a 50% cut in the country's debt.

That has put Syriza on a collision course with the country's lenders, and with fiscally hardline creditor countries like Germany, Finland and the Netherlands.

Mr Tsipras has been moderating his rhetoric of late, and there is the possibility he may not win enough votes to form an overall majority.

But the party's appeal reflects deep-seated weariness over years of hardship, tax increases and job losses.

Many voters may simply vote for Syriza out of defiance or desperation - a victory could rearrange the political centre of gravity elsewhere in Europe, especially if Mr Tsipras wins the concessions his party demands.


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'Very significant' progress made in garda murder

Very significant progress has been made in the investigation into the murder of Garda Adrian Donohoe but it is complex, Garda Commissioner Nóirín O'Sullivan has said.

The commissioner was speaking as she attended a memorial mass for Garda Donohoe at St Joseph's Church in Dundalk on the second anniversary of his death.

She said the force needed to get things 100% right before those responsible could be brought to justice.

She said gardaí had full co-operation from the PSNI and forces in other jurisdictions.

However, she said there are people in the community who have significant information that could help the investigation and she called on them to have the courage to come forward.

Garda Donohoe, who was 41, who was shot dead during an armed robbery at Lordship Credit Union two years ago today.

His killers remain at large.

It is believed some of the suspects have left the jurisdiction.

Sinn Féin Leader TD for Louth Gerry Adams said he would be willing to act as a go-between for anyone who had information about the murder of Garda Donohoe.

Mr Adams said anyone who was frightened or nervous about giving information could come to him.

He said Garda Donohue was an up-standing person and his killers should be brought to justice and due process.  

Gardaí say they are determined to bring those behind the murder of their colleague to justice.

This morning his widow Caroline, his two children, colleagues and the community of Bellurgan marked his anniversary.


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Boko Haram attack repelled in major Nigerian city

Nigeria's military has repelled an attack by suspected Boko Haram militants on the Borno state capital Maiduguri in the northeast of the country, according to security sources.

Maiduguri would be a major prize for the insurgents, who are trying to carve out an Islamic state in the region, began attacking the city shortly after midnight.

Scores of militants and soldiers were killed, a military source and a civilian joint taskforce leader said.

A civilian death toll was not given.

Nigeria's defence headquarters tweeted that coordinated land and air operations were being used to repel the attacks and a curfew had been imposed on Maiduguri.

Militants began the attack at the edge of the city in the Njimtilo area.

The militants control vast swathes of Borno state and some areas of neighbouring Adamawa and Yobe states, and recently took control of the town and a multi-national army base at Baga by Lake Chad.

The government said 150 people had been killed in that attack but local officials say the figure is far higher and some have put it as high as 2,000.

Monguno is about 138km north of the state capital, and just over 50km from Baga. 

Boko Haram, Sunni jihadist group, has killed thousands of people during a five-year insurgency to carve out an Islamic state in the northeast of Nigeria; Africa's most populous country.

The army's inability to quash the group is a major headache for President Goodluck Jonathan, who is seeking re-election in February and who visited the state capital on Saturday as part of his campaign.

Opposition candidate Muhammadu Buhari had been due to arrive in Maiduguri tomorrow.


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Minister says teachers' strike is 'unwarranted'

Written By Unknown on Kamis, 22 Januari 2015 | 22.40

Minister for Education Jan O'Sullivan has urged teacher unions to return to talks with her department on Junior Cycle reform.

Speaking to RTÉ News, the minister said today's strike action was unwarranted and disproportionate.

Almost 30,000 secondary school teachers are striking to protest against reform of the Junior Cycle.

The industrial action is affecting 350,000 secondary school students.

Minister O'Sullivan said there was an invitation from the chair of negotiations, Padraig Travers, to teachers and department representatives to attend talks again next week.

She said it was necessary to sit around the table and address the issues.

Ms O'Sullivan said the proposal that was on offer for Junior Cycle assessment - whereby 60% would be marked by the State Examinations Commission and 40% would be assessment in schools with the involvement of teachers - was the best of both worlds.

She said all of the knowledge of the issue, including research from other countries and from people who feel strongly about it in Ireland, is that this proposal would be a very positive learning experience.

She said a resolution would be found and called on unions not to bring children out of school again and urged students not to worry.

Members of the Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland and the Teachers' Union of Ireland are opposed to plans to have teachers assess 40% of their own students' work at junior level.

Teachers say this will damage their relationship with students.

An earlier strike took place on 2 December last year.

Talks between the parties in the intervening period have proved ineffective.

Mary Murphy, who is a teacher in Maynooth, said teachers are prepared to do whatever it takes.

"We believe that the system we have at the moment is transparent, it's equitable. The public have trust in it which is the most important thing.

"I think if we end up assessing our own students it would have a negative impact on teachers and students and their parents," she said.

John McDonagh, who is also a teacher in Maynooth, said it is having an affect on teachers.

He said: "They are forfeiting a second day's pay, because they believe in the principle of fair and accountable marking, and that the trust that the Irish people have in the education at the moment.

"That is going to be sacrificed if we are marking our own children for example - I teach my own children," he said.

The National Parents Council says the strike action is unfair on students, particularly those Leaving Cert students preparing for mock and oral exams.

Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Don Myers said it will lead to stress for students as they face the State exams.

Mr Myers said parents want to be involved in the talks regarding reform of the Junior Cycle and he questioned why "talks should be carried out between the Department of Education and teachers behind closed doors".

He added that if they were even there in an observatory role they could make a difference.

Mr Myers also said he has no issue with teachers marking 40% of their students exams, saying that it is a small mark out of the total examination and is already being done in practical subjects.

How do parents feel about today's teachers strike?

Yesterday, Minister for Education Jan O'Sullivan said the strike was "unnecessary".


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Jean-Claude Trichet could 'assist' Banking Inquiry

Former president of the European Central Bank Jean-Claude Trichet has indicated that he could assist the Oireachtas Banking Inquiry in its work on the banking crisis.

The ECB had previously refused to send a representative to the inquiry, while Mr Trichet said he had been advised that it was not legally possible for him to appear before a national parliament's commission.

However he has now indicated that there were a number of other options available, which would allow him to add to the committee's work.

The development comes after Taoiseach Enda Kenny held meetings with Mr Trichet and current ECB President Mario Draghi.

One mooted scenario would see Mr Trichet meeting Irish MEPs in Brussels under the remit of the European Parliament, where he could answer questions relevant to the inquiry.

Mr Trichet could also be invited to Ireland by an "appropriate Irish institution or third party", where he would be able to answer questions on the matter.

The development was outlined by Mr Kenny in a letter to Committee chairman Ciaran Lynch, which has been made available publicly.

Mr Lynch thanked Mr Kenny for his assistance to the committee and described it as a positive step.

"We are still awaiting a response from the ECB to our own request to assist the inquiry," he said.

"Nevertheless, this is welcome as it indicates a positive progression from the ECB's previous position."


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Son charged with mother's murder in Dún Laoghaire

A 30-year-old man has been before Dún Laoghaire District Court, charged with the murder of his mother Jane Braidwood.

The 65-year-old died from stab wounds at her home on Clarinda Park East on Tuesday.

Fionn Braidwood did not speak during the brief hearing as evidence of his arrest, charge and caution in Dún Laoghaire Garda Station was given by Sergeant Don Griffin.

Judge Anne Watkin granted the defendant free legal aid and ordered that he be given a psychiatric assessment to ascertain his fitness to stand trial.

She remanded him in custody to appear again at Cloverhill District Court on 29 January.


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Man's body recovered from River Nore

A man's body has been recovered from the River Nore in Thomastown, Co Kilkenny.

The body was recovered around midday by divers from the navy and local civil defence.

Searches had been carried out in recent days for local man, 33-year-old Derek Tyrrell, who was swept away by strong currents in the river in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Mr Tyrrell is a cousin of Kilkenny All-Ireland hurling champions Jackie Tyrrell and Tommy Walsh.

According to gardaí, Mr Tyrrell was last seen near the edge of the river.

The body was recovered not far from where Mr Tyrell was last seen.

A post mortem examination will take place later today.

Gardaí are not treating the death as suspicious.


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Dwyer trial told of 'abusive' relationship

Graham Dwyer committed "very nearly the perfect murder" when he killed Elaine O'Hara, the Central Criminal Court has been told.

Prosecuting lawyers told the jury that Mr Dwyer killed the childcare worker to satisfy his deep seated desire to get sexual gratification by stabbing a woman.

Mr Dwyer, 42, and from Kerrymount Close in Foxrock in Dublin 18, has pleaded not guilty to the murder.

Prosecuting counsel Sean Guerin outlined the circumstances in which items were found in Vartry Reservoir in Co Wicklow in September 2013.

In what was described as "a remarkable coincidence", a set of keys with a Dunnes Stores loyalty fob belonging to Ms O'Hara were found in the reservoir shortly after her remains were found in the Dublin mountains by a woman walking dogs.

The water in the reservoir was particularly low, and gardaí also found two mobile phones which the prosecution says were used by Ms O'Hara and Mr Dwyer in the days leading up to 22 August 2012, the day she was last seen.

The court was told Ms O'Hara had had psychiatric difficulties since she was a teenager and had been in hospital for five or six weeks before she disappeared.

She had visited her father on 22 August and they had visited her mother's grave before she went home.

The prosecution says she was last seen by a jogger near Shanganagh Cemetery asking directions to a bridge over the railway tracks.

She was 36 and had worked as a childcare worker and in a newsagents in Blackrock, Co Dublin.

Mr Dwyer was 39 in 2012. He was a highly successful architect and was married with two children.

The court was told there would be more than 400 exhibits in this case.

But the prosecution pointed to eight in particular, including a mattress taken from Ms O'Hara's apartment in Stepaside.

Warning: This report contains graphic details

Mr Guerin said DNA extracted from this mattress matched Mr Dwyer's DNA profile.

Mr Guerin said data extracted from Ms O'Hara's phone and an 083 phone the prosecution claims was used by Mr Dwyer showed that there was an unusual sexual relationship between them.

A central part of this relationship, the jury was told, was that acts of stabbing were committed on Ms O'Hara by Mr Dwyer.

The court was told the prosecution case was that the texts reflected a deep seated, passionately held, irrepressible desire on the part of Mr Dwyer to get sexual gratification by stabbing a woman.

Mr Guerin said this was a manipulative and abusive relationship designed to satisfy this desire.

Mr Guerin read some of the texts sent by the 083 number, which the prosecution claims was used by Mr Dwyer.

In one, he tells Ms O'Hara: "I am a sadist. I enjoy others' pain. You should help me inflict pain on you and help me with my fantasies."

He discussed how if she was suicidal, she would allow him to stab her to death.

Mr Guerin said he was manipulative and was trying to groom Ms O'Hara and to normalise the idea that stabbing was normal.

Another text from the 083 number said: "My urge to rape, stab and kill is huge. You have to help me control it or satisfy it."

Mr Guerin said texts sent from the 083 number related to events which tallied with events in Mr Dwyer's life, including the birth of his second child in 2011.

Mr Guerin read texts exchanged between the two phones found in the reservoir in the days leading up to 22 August 2012.

In one, Ms O'Hara, who had just come out of hospital, asked the other person not to mention killing for a while, while she settled back into life.

A text from the other phone said that night's punishment would be like him pretending to do something for real.

The prosecution says the texts between the two phones prove that Mr Dwyer arranged to meet Ms O'Hara at Shanganagh Cemetery to take her up the Dublin Mountains for the purpose of killing her to satisfy his desire.

Mr Guerin said when you look at all the elements in the case and put them together, the prosecution's case was that this was "very nearly the perfect murder".

Ms O'Hara was "almost the perfect victim".

She had been suffering from a psychiatric illness and there would have been every reason to think it was suicide.

He said it was highly unlikely the items discovered in the reservoir would ever have been found but for the dry summer and the fact that the water level had dropped.


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ECB to buy €60 billion a month in government bonds

ECB President Mario Draghi has announced a multi-billion-euro package, aimed at fending off deflation and stimulating growth.

He said the bank will buy €60 billion in assets a month from March until September 2016.

The money will include some from existing programmes.

Countries under a bailout programme, such as Greece, will be included but with some additional criteria.

              
The ECB is launching the programme with a view to buoying the flagging euro zone economy, where inflation has turned negative and - at minus 0.2% - is far below the central bank's target of just under 2%.
              
"Under this expanded programme the combined monthly purchases of public and private sector securities will amount to €60 billion," ECB President Mario Draghi said at a news conference.
              
"They are intended to be carried out until end-September 2016 and will in any case be conducted until we see a sustained adjustment in the path of inflation." 

Mr Draghi said a "large majority" of the ECB council was in favour of launching the quantitative easing programme.

Earlier, the European Central Bank left its key interest steady at a record low of 0.05%.

Today's ECB decision to leave the cost of borrowing at record lows was widely expected after the ECB cut rates to rock-bottom levels last September and Mario Draghi then said they had hit "the lower bound".

What does quantitative easing mean?

The bank also kept the rate on bank overnight deposits at -0.2%, which means banks pay to place funds at the central bank, and held its marginal lending facility - or emergency overnight borrowing rate for banks - at 0.3%.

Mr Draghi told today's press conference that a "large majority" of the ECB's governing council were in favour of the QE launch to avert deflation. 

The 25-strong body was "unanimous" on the principle that such a programme was a valid monetary policy tool, Draghi said. And a "large majority" was in favour of taking such measures "now"," he added.

Meanwhile, the ECB chief said that the ball was now in the court of governments to stop the euro zone from sliding into deflation after the ECB rolled out its biggest anti-crisis measure yet.

"It is now up to the governments and the EU Commission to act. Monetary policy can create the basis for growth, but for growth to pick up, investment is needed," he said. 

Critics had expressed concern that European taxpayers would have to foot the bill of the QE programme, if any one country defaulted on its debt.

But the plan had been designed so that only 20% of those risks would be shared, with the other 80% to be shouldered by the national central banks of the countries concerned, Mr Draghi explained today.

Euro zone inflation could stay below zero in coming months 

European Central Bank President Mario Draghi said that euro zone consumer prices could continue to fall over the next couple of months before picking up slowly towards the end of the year. 

Euro zone consumer prices fell for the first time in more than five years in December after a significant drop in oil prices.

Policymakers are increasingly concerned that such a development could unhinge consumers' inflation expectations. 

"Annual HICP inflation is expected to remain very low or negative in the months ahead," Draghi told today's news conference. 

"Such low inflation rates are unavoidable in the short term given the recent very sharp fall in oil prices and assuming that no significant correction will take place in the next few months," he stated. 

He said inflation was expected to increase gradually later in 2015 and in 2016 as the ECB's monetary policy measures support demand and assuming a gradual increase in oil prices.

The ECB said it expects inflation at 0.7% this year and at 1.3% in 2016 - far below its target of below but close to 2%.

The projections could, however, be revised downwards as they do not yet fully reflect the recent drop in oil prices.

Meanwhile, the euro dipped against the dollar after the ECB revealed its bond-buying plan. It fell to  $1.1513 in mid-afternoon deals from $1.1620 before Mr Draghi's announcement.


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