A MAN, who failed to comply with an order to repay almost €10,000 to a credit union, has been jailed for one week.

He appeared before Judge Michael Coghlan for resumption of proceedings at Dublin District Court’s enforcement hearing list.

Judge Coghlan heard evidence in the case titled Leixlip & District Credit Union against Patrick Ryan, of Glendale Meadows, Leixlip, Co. Kildare.

In evidence, the judge was told that following an earlier court ruling, an installment order was made in the district court in May 2014. It required Mr Ryan to pay €300 a month in respect of a loan on which approximately €9,900 remained outstanding.

Throughout the hearing Ryan repeatedly claimed that he did not owe the credit union anything and that the debt has been “paid in the private” but refused to explain what he meant by that and he asked “is this common law jurisdiction?” several times.

He also said he did not consent to the proceedings.

Judge Coghlan told him it was the jurisdiction of the Republic of Ireland and the laws of Ireland prevail. He said that Ryan’s comments had no basis in law and he was playing games. The judge said he had already had to put up with his insults and impertinences and he was not prepared to let it go on any further.

Judge Coghlan said Ryan had given him no alternative. He jailed him for one week and told him he would have time to reflect on the case over the next seven days.

The scene of a house fire this morning at Osberstown, Co. Kildare

A woman in her 80s is fighting for her life, following a house blaze in Osberstown, Co Kildare.

The fire broke out at the home this morning, which is located between Naas and Sallins in Co Kildare.

The woman injured in the blaze was named locally as Millie McEvoy, the wife of the well known Kildare auctioneer Colm McEvoy.

She was rushed to Naas General Hospital under garda escort and her condition is described as critical.

One side of the house was very badly damaged in the fire, which appears to have started in a downstairs room.

Neighbours reported seeing plumes of smoke coming from the property as local fire brigade units fought the blaze.

It is not clear if Mr McEvoy was in the house when the fire broke out shortly after 11.30am this morning.

Online Editors

Matthew Barrett and Leo Varadkar

MEET the dashing doctor that Taoiseach-in-waiting Leo Varadkar has fallen head over heels in love with.

Talented Dr Matthew Barrett is the rock Leo has found solace with as he strives to become leader of Fine Gael in its upcoming election battle, with Enda Kenny expected to throw in the towel in the coming weeks.

Leo (38), who like Matt (30), is also a qualified doctor, is odds-on favourite to win the contest.

If he wins and is then accepted by coalition partners he will be the country’s first openly gay Taoiseach, and one of the few gay prime ministers anywhere in the world.

Matt has been by Social Protection Minister Leo’s side for the past 18 months or so.

The couple recently celebrated a joint birthday party, at which many of Fine Gael’s political heavyweights were present.

Among those at the party in the trendy shebeen-style Hacienda bar off Dublin’s Capel Street on Satur- Picnic festival in Co. Laois last September and holidayed in Manchester and in Rome, where they playfully put their hands into the Mouth of Truth marble mask statue.

The couple also regularly socialise in gay pubs in the capital such as the Front Lounge and The George.

Leo has been to Mayo on several occasions, where Matt introduced him to his welcoming family in Belmullet.

Matt is a junior doctor in St James Hospital in Dublin and has been honorary secretary of a group called Gay Doctors Ireland.

During Leo’s tenure as health minister last year, Matt did not let his partner’s ministerial position faze him when he took to his Facebook page to protest against junior doctors’ working hours.

 In one post (since deleted) he raged: “There’s a storm coming, Mr [Tony] O’Brien [Director General of the HSE].

You better batten down the hatches, because when it hits you’re all gonna wonder how you ever thought you could live so large and leave so little for the rest of us.”

 In 2015 Leo campaigned for gay marriage, which was passed overpolitician turned PR guru Lucinda Creighton, FG Dublin South East TD Eoghan Murphy, FG Wexford Senator Michael D’Arcy, Eamon Farrell (brother of actor Colin) and his artist husband Steven Mannion and comedian Oliver Callan.

 “Both sets of parents were also there, which was a really nice touch and also shows they’ve cemented their relationship,” said an insider.

 “Matt lives with a group of doctors in Portobello and is a lovely fellow.

The two of them get on like a house on fire and are very well matched.”

Matt has been by Leo’s side at numerous social functions and concerts, including one in Dublin’s Olympia theatre last April, Rock Against Homelessness, which included sets from the likes of Mundy, The Strypes, Le Galaxie and Something Happens.

They also attended the Electric day, January 21, were justice minister Frances Fitzgerald, Transport, Tourism and Sport Minister Paschal Donohoe and health minister Simon Harris.

Also at the bash was FG Senator Catherine Noone, who hails from Matt’s home county of Mayo – he comes from Belmullet.

The get-together was primarily for Matt’s 30th birthday, but there were added celebrations as Leo was also turning 38 the same week.

 The lovebirds’ chocolate and cream cake had ‘Happy Birthday Leo and Matt’ written on top of it.

Others at the party who enjoyed a slice and a drink or two included whelmingly by a two thirds majority in a referendum that May.

That June he took part in his first Gay Pride parade in Dublin, which was attended by over 60,000 revellers.

For several years Leo’s sexuality had been an open secret among many in the political world, media and the gay community, but in January 2015 he took the brave – and strategic – decision to ‘come out’.

He chose a planned interview on Miriam O’Callaghan’s radio show to make his announcement.

“To me it is not a big deal, I hope it is not a big deal for people,” he said back then.

“There are people a lot braver than me, but I wanted to do it. I suppose I felt as a public representative I should say it.

“I want the next generation to feel that they don’t have to do any interview like this.

 “My mum was concerned I would be beaten up on the street, or that I’d lose my seat, or that people would use it against me in politics.”

 The Gay and Lesbian Network said his decision to come out would inspire thousands of others to do the same thing.

Monika Matracka (Pic: Irish Independent)

A Central Criminal Court jury has found a woman not guilty of the murder but guilty of the manslaughter of her housemate and former partner.

During the trial, the court heard evidence that Monika Matracka (35) told gardai that she killed Michal Rejmer (38) but was defending herself and was “the victim.”

The deceased’s body remained in the house for at least three days before she moved it to the back garden.

Today, a jury of six men and six women found Matracka not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter by a majority verdict of 11-1. They had deliberated for five hours and 38 minutes.

Matracka, with an address at The Pines, Briarfield, Castletroy, Limerick had pleaded not guilty to murdering Michal Rejmer at that address at a time unknown between 8pm on December 30 and midnight on December 31, 2015.

Mr Justice Paul Butler thanked the jury for their time and exempted them from jury service for a period of ten years.

“Thank you all very much, you worked very hard at this matter,” he said.

The case was put in for mention on March 6.

Mr Justice Butler remanded Matracka in custody until that date. The court heard there will be no victim impact statement.

The eight day trial heard that Mr Rejmer had helped Matracka out financially when she was studying in Poland in 2009. Matracka told gardai that Mr Rejmer wanted his money back on December 30, 2015 and if he did not get it she “would have to say bye bye to life” and he then cut her left hand with a knife.

She also told gardai that she stabbed Mr Rejmer in self-defence saying: “I did it. It was me.  I killed Michal.”

Mr Rejmer was reported missing on January 6, 2016 after colleagues became concerned when he had not turned up for work at McDonald’s in Castletroy for a number of days. He was last seen on December 30, 2015.

Mr Rejmer's body was discovered by his friend and a local volunteer at the rear of his house in Castletroy under some plastic sheeting on January 8, 2016.

State Pathologist Dr Marie Cassidy gave evidence in the trial and told the jury that Mr Rejmer died as a result of bleeding from stab wounds to the arms.

EVIDENCE HEARD IN TRIAL:

During the trial Thomas O'Connor, a manager in McDonald's who knew Mr Rejmer, was called by the prosecution to give evidence.

The witness told the court that he contacted gardai on January 6, 2016 when he became aware that Mr Rejmer had not shown up for work since December 30, 2015.

Mr Mike Purtill was also called to give evidence and he said that he knew Mr Rejmer from Dooneen Athletics Club in Limerick and they would meet regularly to go running.

The witness testified that both he and Mr Adrian Kiely from Limerick Land Search Team went to the deceased’s house on January 7 and Ms Matracka opened the door.

Mr Purtill said he was “kind of frustrated” as he and Mr Kiely asked Ms Matracka what clothes Mr Rejmer had been wearing on December 30 and she said she did not know.

Mr Adrian Kiely, from Limerick Land Search Team, said he organised a search party and around 26 people met at McDonald’s in Castletroy on January 8.

Mr Kiely said he and a friend of the deceased, Mr Adrzej Kanios, searched Mr Rejmer’s garden that day.

“I heard Mr Kanios say something like ‘here here’. I walked towards him, he lifted a piece of plastic back and when I saw what was under it I told him to back away and I called the gardai,” said Mr Kiely.

In his evidence, Mr Kanios told the trial that while he was in Mr Rejmer's back garden on January 8, he stood up on some black plastic and felt something soft.

“I saw something that resembled a head wrapped in a bedsheet. I just had a quick glance," he said.

Sergeant David Burke, from Henry Street Garda Station, said he attended the scene on January 8 and noted a body "wrapped tightly in a bedsheet which appeared to be blood-stained."

Detective Garda Pat Whelan gave evidence in the trial and said he asked Ms Matracka to go with him to Henry Street Garda Station on January 8 for the purposes of making a witness statement about Mr Rejmer’s disappearance.

Ms Matracka told Det Gda Whelan that she was in a relationship with the deceased for a year before he moved to Ireland in 2006.

They continued their long-distance relationship until she moved to Ireland in 2012. Before they moved into the house at The Pines in March 2014, they had broken up.

Ms Matracka said in her statement that since they did not have many friends they could trust, they decided to live together. Ms Matracka said she and Mr Rejmer broke up officially in January, 2013.

When Ms Matracka finished giving Det Gda Whelan her statement, she was informed by gardai that she would have to make arrangements to stay somewhere else that night as her home was now a designated crime scene. 

The court heard that the accused became very upset when gardai were helping her find somewhere to stay that night.

“She was sitting in the back of the patrol car, I asked her what wrong. She said: ‘I did it. It was me.’,” said Det Gda Whelan.

The court heard that Det Gda Whelan asked her what she meant to clarify matters and she said: “I killed Michal.” Ms Matracka was then arrested and brought to Henry Street Garda Station.

Det Gda Whelan conducted the first memo of interview with Ms Matracka that night where she said that Mr Rejmer had lent her money when they were in a relationship in 2009 and on the night of December 30 he got angry and wanted his money back.

"He was hiding a knife behind him. He said he needed the money right now and if he didn’t get it now I would have to say bye bye to life," she said.

The deceased then cut her left hand with the knife. Ms Matracka told gardai that Mr Rejmer fell down the stairs and when he was getting up from the floor she hurt him with the knife in the arm or hand.

"I kept stabbing him a few times, I don’t remember very well," she said.

Ms Matracka agreed with gardai in her interview that the deceased’s body remained in the house for at least three days before she moved it to the back garden.

Ms Matracka said she put Mr Rejmer's body where the turf was stored and covered him with plastic.

The accused agreed with gardai in later interviews that she killed Michal but said she was defending herself and said: "I was the victim not him.”

She told gardai that she tried to burn the knife in her fireplace and later put it in a public bin outside The Hurler's Bar on the Dublin Road in Castletroy.

Dr Hilary Clarke from Forensic Science Ireland gave evidence in the trial and told the jury that the deceased's blood was found throughout the house and there was evidence that a clean-up had taken place.

Mr Leszek Pajak, a friend of the accused, said that Facebook messages he sent the deceased were delivered and opened, days after he was last seen alive.

State Pathologist Dr Marie Cassidy gave evidence in the trial and told the jury that Mr Rejmer died as a result of bleeding from stab wounds to the arms.

Dr Cassidy said that she found a large gaping stab wound running along his upper right arm exposing the tissues underneath.

“The blade had gone through these muscles and continued upwards through his armpit and ended at his shoulder joint. An artery had been cut and the depth of that wound was about 12.5cm’s,” she said.

The radial artery to Mr Rejmer’s left arm had also been cut and the length of the track wound running from his forearm to armpit measured 20cm’s.

Dr Cassidy said there was a large area of grazing to the left hand side of Mr Rejmer’s face and an injury to the left side of his head which could have been caused by a blow or a fall to the floor.

The court heard that if the deceased had received medical treatment within a few minutes the possible outcome would be different but there was no way to prove that.

“The head injury alone would not be expected to cause his death but it may well be a factor as to why he died from bleeding from these injuries. Such an injury could cause a period of concussion, in this vulnerable state he could have succumbed to injuries from the stab wounds,” she said.

ISIS fighter is said to have detonated an explosives-filled vehicle in a village to the south of Mosul, Iraq

A British Islamic State fighter who is believed to have carried out a suicide bombing in Iraq was a former Guantanamo Bay detainee, according to reports.

The bomber - named by the group as Abu Zakariya al-Britani - is said to have detonated an explosives-filled vehicle in a village to the south of Mosul.

According to the BBC, he was a Muslim convert born Ronald Fiddler.

The 50-year-old, also known as Jamal al Harith or Jamal Udeen, was suspected of terrorism by the Americans but freed from the US detention centre in 2004 after lobbying by the British government.

He turned to Islam in the 1990s and travelled to the Pakistani city of Quetta in 2001 for what he claimed was a religious holiday.

He has insisted he tried to enter Iran when the US invaded neighbouring Afghanistan, but was captured and imprisoned by the Taliban on suspicion of being a UK spy.

Around 850 individuals of national security concern have travelled to join the conflict, according to figures published by the Government last year.

Of those, just under half have returned to the UK and approximately 15% are dead.

Jack Tuohy

An ex-Oldham Athletic footballer took sexual advantage of a 14-year-old girl who had "a crush" on him after he "bullied" her into meeting up, a jury has heard.

Jack Tuohy first met the "football mad" teenager at a schools' tournament hosted by the English Football League One club in 2015 before he went on to commit sexual offences against her later the same year, Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court was told.

The complainant watched on at the tournament in her school uniform and saw Tuohy hand out medals to pupils before, she said, he initiated contact with her on social media shortly after.

The Crown say Tuohy went on to groom the youngster, who on one occasion sent him a topless selfie photograph, before they engaged in sexual activity in his car parked in a secluded location in Oldham.

It is alleged that Tuohy, who was aged 19 at the time, encouraged the "starstruck" teenager to overcome her "youthful reluctance" and meet him in person.

Benjamin Jones, prosecuting, said: "The serious aspect of this case is that the evidence will show the defendant took advantage of a girl with a crush on a footballer.

"The evidence will show the defendant pressurised - effectively bullied - her into meeting him.

"The evidence will show that the defendant knew her age throughout. He disputes that of course.

"The evidence will show the defendant has been dishonest in every step of the investigation of this case."

Mr Jones said Tuohy initially told police no sexual activity took place and then claimed there was "kissing and cuddling, nothing more" after telling detectives he "panicked" when shocked to learn of the girl's age from them.

Tuohy finally conceded that sexual activity between the pair happened in his car, said the prosecutor, but he maintained throughout that he believed she was aged 16 and said in one interview: "It looks like I've been led on."

In her videoed police interview, played to the jury, the complainant said the defendant messaged her on Facebook after the schools' tournament but she said she did not know how he knew her name.

She said they went on to have regular online conversations and that she told him she was 14 when he asked her how old she was, the court heard.

The teenager said she sent him a topless photograph of herself after Tuohy said he would "fall out" with her if she did not and end their contact.

She said he went on to send her a photograph of his penis.

The girl told the interviewing officer she considered Tuohy and her were "just friends". When asked if she wanted it to be more, she replied: "Maybe when I'm older, the right age."

She said she finally agreed to meet him because she concluded "it was my only chance".

Tuohy, 20, of Arthur Street, Shaw, Oldham, denies two counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child, two counts of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and one count of meeting a child following sexual grooming.

The trial continues on Wednesday.

A uniformed police officer forced a 17-year-old to give him oral sex in a patrol car after the victim had been kicked out of her house, a court heard.

Declan Gabriel, a Northamptonshire Police constable, claimed the teenager made a grab for his crotch as he adjusted his underpants at the roadside in the early hours.

But prosecutors said the 28-year-old had concocted a "fanciful account" to explain his behaviour in September 2015.

A few hours into his night shift, Gabriel was called to an incident in Northampton, where he picked up the vulnerable youngster and took her to the police station.

But rather than find her a safe place, he drove her around in his unmarked car for two hours when it is alleged he orally raped and also twice sexually assaulted the girl.

Prosecutor Matthew Lowe told Northampton Crown Court: "We say he has taken advantage, not simply of his role as a police officer, but of the position he found himself in on that morning with that 17-year-old girl.

"When interviewed he's come up with a fanciful account to explain away what he feared, because of the result of scientific examination."

Gabriel was initially "really nice", according to the victim, asking if she was cold and telling her to sit in his Ford Focus.

He drove her to his police station, leaving the girl in the vehicle before returning to chat.

In an interview, she said: "He was asking me about boys, how many people I'd slept with, how long was it after I'd met them did I sleep with them."

Gabriel also asked for her Twitter name and then followed her from his official police work account.

In order to find a place to stay that night, the victim asked Gabriel to drive to a friend's address with her in the passenger seat.

Mr Lowe said Gabriel "took a circuitous route" then slowly drove past the house without stopping.

The officer then parked in a lay-by and there, said Mr Lowe: "The defendant reached over, grabbed her hand, putting it on his crotch area over his penis.

Again, Gabriel drove the girl past the friend's home but did not stop, instead driving into the countryside some distance from his operational patch, the court heard.

He parked in a gateway where it is alleged he again took his victim's hand and placed it over the crotch of his trousers - "but this time things went further", added Mr Lowe.

He is then accused of a raping his victim by "coercing her into giving him oral sex" as he sat in the driver's seat.

Gabriel then took the girl back to her friend's home and left her there.

Parked in the gateway, Mr Lowe said Gabriel claimed he pushed away the girl after she grabbed him when he partially undid his trousers to adjusted his underwear.

Giving evidence behind a screen, the victim claimed Gabriel had "implied he would call and text me, take me to hotels", and wanted to know what bars she went to.

Barrister Steven Evans, for Gabriel, asked if she had been "a willing party", to which she replied: "No, not 100%."

She added: "I thought it would be easier to go along with it."

The teenager said: "I didn't want him to hurt me."

Asked about her reaction to Gabriel's claim she had initiated sexual activity, she replied: "It's laughable."

Gabriel, who is suspended, denies the charges and one count of misconduct in a public office.

The trial, which is due to last a week, was adjourned until Wednesday.

Croatian police have filed disorderly conduct charges against two people who allegedly used a racial slur to insult Hollywood actor Jamie Foxx in a restaurant.

Police said they acted after receiving reports of "particularly arrogant and rude" insults made against restaurant guests in Dubrovnik, including "one of the guests on racial grounds".

The police statement did not name Foxx as the target, but the actor briefly posted comments about the incident on his Instagram profile before deleting them.

Foxx mentioned an offensive racial term among the examples of the language used.

Police said they are considering other charges against the two men.

Croatia, like other European countries, has seen a rise in far-right sentiments.

Foxx was filming a Robin Hood remake in Dubrovnik, a city on the Adriatic Sea.

Denisa Silmen and Alin Apopei (Pic: Evz.ro)

A jealous man who was recorded on a mobile phone as he attempted to decapitate his girlfriend is facing life in jail for the "sadistic and frenzied" murder.

Alin Apopei, 27, repeatedly threatened to kill 25-year-old sex worker Denisa Silmen and boasted he would get away with it by pretending to be mad, jurors heard.

On July 30 2015, Miss Silmen's mobile phone was recording sound as he stabbed her to death. Her last words were: "You finished me off," the court heard.

Miss Silmen was found dead at the flat they shared in Eversleigh Road, east London. She was partially naked and had suffered from "horrendous injuries".

Prosecutor Zoe Johnson QC said: "Her head was almost entirely severed from her neck and her chest cavity was cut open, revealing her internal anatomy."

A jury at the Old Bailey rejected Apopei's defence of mental illness and found him guilty of murder.

Jurors heard the couple had a "volatile" relationship and Apopei had been violent towards Miss Silmen before.

On one occasion, he told her: "If you will leave me I shall kill you. If I will go to prison I will pretend I am mad, they will put me in hospital and I will get free from there because I have lots of money."

In February 2015, Miss Silmen visited a friend in Italy and the defendant turned up on Valentine's Day to surprise her.

During a night out at a Milan nightclub, the victim said she could not take any more and Apopei slapped her, jurors heard.

Miss Silmen fled to her mother in Romania but later got back together with her violent boyfriend, jurors heard.

A month before the murder, Apopei laughed and threatened her and a friend, saying: "One day I kill you both."

On the day of the killing, Apopei was heard by a neighbour to tell his girlfriend: "Look what's happened, don't play with fire."

The attack on Miss Silman just after 2pm was recorded on her mobile phone which was activated, either by accident or deliberately.

It recorded the sounds of the couple apparently having sex before a man is heard to say: "I'm going to kill you now. Shall I give you the first one?" then a slapping noise.

The victim screamed "oh my God", and Apopei responded: "What did I do to you? Why did you kill me?"

Her last words on the recording were: "You finished me off."

Afterwards, Apopei changed his clothes and left the flat with Miss Silmen's mobile phone.

When her friends tried to contact her, he said they would see what happened when you "play with fire".

Miss Silmen was found in her room half inside her wardrobe covered in blood with her suitcase on the bed.

Following his arrest, Apopei behaved "erratically" often laughing hysterically then becoming aggressive. He said: "I'm guilty. I did do it, but I can't make prison."

He described his girlfriend as "a witch" and paced around his cell ranting about devil worship, the court heard.

The court heard psychiatrists had differing opinions on whether Apopei was mentally ill and it was for jurors to decide whether his responsibility for the killing was diminished.

Ms Johnson said: "It is the prosecution case that the defendant deliberately and viciously stabbed Denise to death because he was enraged and jealous at the prospect of her finally leaving him."

Following his conviction she told the court there was a "sadistic" element to the killing. In a statement, the victim's mother Monica Silmen said her daughter had come to Britain for a "better life".

She said: "The light in my eyes died when she died."

Apopei will be sentenced at the Old Bailey on Wednesday.

Bus Eireann

BUS Eireann passengers face travel chaos after last ditch talks to avert an all-out strike collapsed.

Unions said they have put their members on notice that they will immediately engage in industrial action if the company imposes €12m cuts to their earnings.

The company has said the Dublin- Clonmel, Athlone-Westport and Dublin-Derry routes will be axed to achieve immediate savings of €1.1m

Speaking as he emerged from the Workplace Relations Commission, the General Secretary of the National Bus and Railworkers Union, Dermot O'Leary, said the company is expected to announce it will implement the cuts within days.

It is understood that Bus Eireann negotiators claimed the company would be insolvent by May unless the cuts are rolled out.

Acting Chief Executive Ray Hernan wants to present a €30m cost-cutting plan to the board by the end of March.

The cuts include a 10pc cut to allowances and the axing of premium payments.

General Secretary of the NBRU Dermot O’Leary said said it is anticipated that the company will make an announcement in relation to the cuts over the next few days.

"If they do and all union colleagues are at one in this, there will be an all out bus strike and there will be ramifications and consequences across the entire transport network," he said.

"And unless the people in government, instead of occupying themselves with the leadership of Fine Gael, they really need to get engage with this dispute."

He said the dispute is going to cause untold misery for people who travel and who need the transport system and misery for those working in the industry.

Mr O'Leary blamed Bus Eireann for collapsing the discussions and said it was a crying shame that a semi state company "would stoop to such depths"by insisting on cutting their employees' wages by €8,000 or €9,000, "race to the bottom style". He said it was obvious that someone behind the scenes is "pulling the strings".

"And we're pointing our fingers quite directly at the Department of Transport and the minister," he said.

Siptu Divisional Organiser, Greg Ennis, said an unreasonable demand that no worker in the state should have to put up or had put up with before led to the collapse of talks.

He said unions could not "magic up" €12m payroll savings overnight.

"This is a crisis in the making for a couple of years," he said. "We cannot fix it in three days."

He said the union would not accept that its members would subvent a company that needs proper subvention.

"That's what collapsed the talks," he said. Mr Ennis said the government is "rudderless" in terms of its transport policy.

Bus Eireann's Acting Chief Executuive Ray Hernan  has confirmed that three routes - Dublin- Clonmel, Athlone-Westport and Dublin-Derry will be axed to achieve immediate savings of €1.1m.

"We now have to implement that decision," he said. "We have no choice but to do that and make other decisions that are ultimately going to save money and stop the burn of cash that is running at an increasing rate since the end of the year."

He said the company will now have to seriously consider its position and take steps to avoid insolvency.

Mr Hernan said losses last month were €1.5m and if that rate continued, the organisation would be insolvent some time in May.

He said unions refused to engage in talks on cuts to any terms and conditions of employment but the company could not see how it would avoid insolvency without them being considered.

He urged unions to reconsider their position to maximise the amount of jobs that would be available "going forward".

"What we need is immediate savings and we have already identified savings that will be achieved by the closure of a number of routes,"he said. "We've also identified a reasonable number of non-payroll savings. However, there was going to have to be pain taken by our staff."

In a statement, Bus Eireann said unions had refused to negotiate changes to terms and conditions, insisted on a pay rise and sought compensation for cuts in overtime earnings implemented since last month.

It said its cost structure is inefficient and drivers are being paid for 9.4 hours a day, with 1.6 hours of this at overtime premium rates. But it said they only drive for five and a half hours on scheduled services.

The company said the taxpayer is paying excessively for the services provided and it is clear that unions have no intention of reaching an agreement to address the financial crisis.

It said payroll savings of €12m must be achieved now.

Two Irish Coast Guard helicopters were called to rescue a crewman after he became injured on a Russian fishing vessel off the southwest coast of Ireland.

The Shannon based Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 115 has evacuated a seriously injured crewman from a large Russian fishing vessel approximately 140 nautical miles West of Kerry Head.

The operation is being coordinated by the Marine Rescue Coordination Centre in Valentia and is being supported by the Naval ship LÉ Róisín. Crew members from the LÉ Róisín went  on board the vessel and assisted with casualty evacuation. Communication support and back up, known as Top Cover, was provided by a second Coast Guard helicopter, the Waterford based R117.

LÉ Roisin responded to a request to provide medical assistance and recover an injured fisherman approx 200 nautical miles off Loop Head. pic.twitter.com/AFmnT3Vl5G

— Irish Defence Forces (@defenceforces) February 21, 2017

Weather conditions in the area for helicopter operations were difficult, bordering on marginal for such operations with a strong West South West swell and winds gusting in excess of 35mph.

The helicopter is currently routing to University Hospital Limerick, to arrive before 7:30pm, following an essential fuel stopover at Kerry airport.

A Defence Forces Bomb Disposal Team made safe two suspected Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) in the Mayfield area of Cork, earlier this evening

The Defence Forces deployed the Bomb Disposal Team on request from An Garda Síochána. A cordon was established in the surrounding area to ensure public safety.

The Bomb Disposal Team arrived on scene at 2pm, carried out an assessment and proceeded to make safe the two suspect devices. The scene was declared safe at 4pm.

The devices were removed to a secure military installation for further examination.

Material of an evidential nature has been handed over to An Garda Síochána to assist with their investigations.

Gavin Coyne

Tributes have been paid to 10-year-old Gavin Coyne who passed away today while awaiting a heart transplant.

Gavin from Co Dublin was diagnosed with a rare heart condition last November.

He was transferred to the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle, England, where he was waiting for an organ donation.

Tragically, the 10-year-old passed away today.

Gavin's cousin, Amy Coyne, thanked everyone for donating money to help Gavin's treatment.

"Thank you so much to everyone who has donated money over the last few weeks. Heartbreakingly, Gavin lost his battle yesterday and gained his angel's wings. RIP to such a beautiful brave boy."

The Holy Trinity SNS Parents Association paid tribute to Gavin, who was a fourth class student at their school.

"It is with great sadness and shock that we have to inform the Holy Trinity School community of the passing of Gavin Coyne.

"Gavin was one of our 4th class pupils who has been unwell for the last number of months.

"Gavin faced his illness with great bravery but unfortunately he lost his fight yesterday. For a very young man, Gavin has left an impact on all those who had the pleasure to make his acquaintance.

"We ask you to keep Gavin’s family, friends and classmates in your thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.

"Rest In Peace Gavin."

Noel Rock

FINE GAEL TD Noel Rock has launched legal proceedings to appeal the severity of a €3,150 fine for breaking litter laws with his “keep the recovery going” posters.

The 29-year-old Dublin North West TD and Public Accounts Committee member was fined in October at Dublin District Court on nine counts under the 1997 Litter Pollution Act in relation to his posters.

Today his barrister successfully applied to Judge John Brennan at the district court for a two-week extension to allow Rock lodge an appeal against the severity of the fine. The appeal will go before the circuit court on a later date.

The charges were brought by Dublin City Council. During the district court hearing on Oct. 4 last, evidence was given by three litter wardens and the court was given photos of the posters including ones with the TD's picture and a slogan saying “keep the recovery going” and other information about his availability at his clinic on Jan. 14 last year.

The court heard that two posters were unlawfully put up at Prospect Road on Feb. 3 last.

Litter wardens spotted four more of the posters on Jan. 28 at: Iona Road, Griffith Avenue and Drumcondra Road. They found another one of his posters at Collins Avenue on Jan. 26 last.

The general election was not called until Feb. 3. Council litter wardens also found one of his election posters that was left up too long after the Feb. 26 vote.

The offence can result in a fine of up to €4,000 per offence.

Nine fines each worth €350 were imposed along with an order that Rock would have to pay €221 in legal costs.

Mr Rock, who was elected to the Dail in the 2016 general election, is the youngest Fine Gael Dublin TD, representing the Ballymun Electoral Area, which includes Drumcondra, Glasnevin, Whitehall, Beaumont, Santry, Finglas and Ballymun.

In 2006, the DCU graduate, with an address at Hardiman Road, Drumcondra, Dublin 9, was selected to take part in an intern ship with US presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.

Meda Altaraviciute

Gardai in Waterford area appealing for the public’s assistance in locating 13-year-old Meda Altaraviciute who is missing from her home since Monday night, the 20th February, 2017.

It is believed that Meda may be with friends in the Waterford city, Tramore or New Ross.

Unfortunately it is not known what Meda was wearing when she was last seen.

Gardaí and Meda's family are concerned for her and asking anyone who has seen her or who can assist in locating her to contact Dungarvan Garda Station on 058-48600, Garda Confidential Line 1800-666-111, or any Garda station.

Tom McFeely (Image via Herald)

Bankrupt Priory Hall developer Tom McFeely has been arrested and charged with breaching a protection order by putting his wife "in fear".

Mr McFeely (68) was brought to court yesterday accused of a breach at his wife's home in south Dublin.

He was granted bail under conditions, including a ban on having any contact with her.

Gardai had objected to bail, stating that it was believed Mr McFeely was a "flight risk".

A judge deferred a decision on granting legal aid after a garda said Mr McFeely had the keys to a Mercedes car on him when arrested and he was believed to be of "some means".

Mr McFeely was released on bail and the case adjourned to Tallaght District Court on March 14.

Mr McFeely is charged with one count of breaching a protection order at his wife's home at Prospect Heights, Prospect Manor, Rathfarnham.

It is alleged he breached an order taken out by his wife Nina Kessler by putting her in fear at that address. The protection order was taken out by Ms Kessler on November 24, 2016.

The circumstances of the alleged breach were not disclosed in court and Mr McFeely has not yet entered a plea.

Objecting to bail, Garda David MacEoin said Mr McFeely had provided a London address and had told him he was due to fly to London tomorrow.

However, the accused had presented himself at Rathfarnham garda station so there was no attempt to evade gardai, his solicitor Ciara Hallinan said when applying for bail.

Mr McFeely had "strong ties to the jurisdiction", with children living in Dublin, and family in Donegal and Derry.

He was a dual passport holder and would undertake to surrender his British passport, while his Irish one had been in the possession of the State for the last three years, Ms Hallinan said.

He would live with his brother in Donegal for the duration of the proceedings, which should allay any garda fears that he would beset the alleged injured party, she continued.

The garda said he had made contact with Desmond McFeely, who said he was the accused's brother. The defendant was welcome to stay at his address at Callan, Drumkeen, Co Donegal.

Judge Smyth granted bail in the accused's own bond of €500 with no cash lodgement required.

The conditions are that he is to stay out of the Rathfarnham area, have no contact directly or indirectly with his wife, comply with the terms of the protection order, surrender his Irish and UK passports, and not apply for any duplicates.

He is also to surrender his UK driving licence and London travel pass, live at his brother's address and notify gardai of any change of address.

Ms Hallinan applied for legal aid and handed a statement of the defendant's means in to court. She said the accused was bankrupt.

Gda MacEoin said Mr McFeely had €280 and £585 (€692) in cash, as well as two mobile phones, the keys to a Mercedes car and a number of bank cards when he was arrested.

Judge Smyth deferred the legal aid application to give gardai time to make further enquiries.

Mr McFeely, wearing a grey suit and open-necked pink shirt, sat with his arms folded throughout the bail hearing, speaking only to consult his solicitor and confirm certain details when asked.

Via Herald.ie

Stock image

An explosive device found on Limerick's Henry Street had to be made safe by a bomb disposal team in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

The Army Bomb Disposal Team were alerted to an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) by gardai.

An IED is a "homemade" device which can be made using explosives alone or a combination of explosives and chemicals.

The bomb disposal team arrived at the scene at 1.30am.

The area was declared safe at 4am and the IED has been removed to allow for further examinations to take place.

Evidence relating to the device has been handed over to gardai and investigations are ongoing.

Defence Forces Bomb Disposal Teams have responded to 12 requests and made safe five viable IEDs so far this year, including two in Cork yesterday.

Via Independent.ie

Dublin Road, Fermoy (Image via Google Maps)

Gardai have arrested two men following a suspected fatal assault on an Eastern European man near a Cork truck stop.

The deceased, a 40-year-old Eastern European national, was discovered lying near a parked vehicle in a popular truck stop-off on the Dublin Road in Fermoy, Co Cork shortly after 10.30pm on Tuesday night.

The grim discovery was made by nearby garage staff, who were alerted by a number of drivers parked overnight who complained of hearing shouting and sounds consistent with a fracas.

Despite desperate efforts to revive the man, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Initial reports indicated that the man may have sustained head injuries.

A friend of the man was also discovered nearby with non-life threatening injuries.

The man was treated at the scene by paramedics, and is understood to have told gardai that the duo were apparently attacked by two other men after a dispute erupted.

It is believed the injured man is also an Eastern European national.

He was taken to Cork University Hospital (CUH) for treatment and remains in a stable condition.

Both have been living and working in Ireland for a number of years.

Fermoy gardai cordoned off the scene pending a full forensic and technical examination today.

It is understood that a suspected weapon, an iron bar, was recovered from the scene.

Door-to-door inquiries will also be conducted, with several large housing estates located within 100m of the area.

It is understood that CCTV security camera footage will play a key role in the investigation.

A garda source stressed that the nature of their investigation will be determined by the results of a post-mortem examination to be carried out at Cork University Hospital (CUH) later today by Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster.

Two men, in their early 40s and late 20s, were arrested by gardai under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 and taken to Fermoy and Mallow garda stations for questioning.

They are also understood to be Eastern European nationals.

Ralph Riegel

Via Independent.ie

Frankie Quinn

Diehard dissident Frankie Quinn has sold his soul to the British.

The Sunday World can reveal he is the co-ordinator of Éalú, an ex-prisoners group awarded almost £100,000 by the International Fund for Ireland, formed and funded by the British and Irish governments.

Quinn has come under fire after being branded  a hypocrite by dissidents who are furious Quinn is now funding his pet project with money connected to their sworn enemy.

And just to turn the knife on the Collective Leadership of the New IRA, Quinn has stipulated that the cash will only benefit East Tyrone and North Armagh, snubbing senior ex-prisoners and those on remand, including alleged NIRA terror chief Colin Duffy.

Frankie Quinn is employed as co-ordinator of Éalú, which translates as ‘escape’ in English. It’s unclear what salary the position commands, but well-informed sources say it could be in the region of £30,000.

When contacted by the Sunday World, a spokesperson for the International Fund confirmed the cash injection for Éalú and said the money was to be used to “build peace”.

“In June 2016, the International Fund for Ireland awarded £97,000 to Éalú for a one-year peace-building project. The funding is allocated through the Peace Impact Programme [PIP], which aims to build sustainable peace and prosperity in areas suffering from high levels of economic and social deprivation, where there are low levels of engagement in peace-building and where the peace process has delivered limited benefits.”

The grant is conditional on the recipient agreeing not to provide support or resources for anyone engaged in terrorist activity.

Frankie Quinn at the offices of Éalú

“The letter of offer for this project includes a standard clause, applicable to all funding awards, whereby the applicant agrees not to provide material support or resources to any individual or group engaged in terrorist activity. The acceptance of the letter of offer constitutes a legally binding agreement.

“The Fund is satisfied that the appropriate checks and balances are in place to ensure the Éalú PIP project delivers on very specific outputs that support communities to engage in peace-building activities. Project spend is carefully monitored throughout the lifetime of the project to ensure the validity of spend against the project deliverables and terms and conditions within the letter of offer.”

Quinn is persona non grata among the majority of members of the New IRA, many taking offence with him joining forces with the British for cash.

“He’s been telling people he got something near £100,000 to fund his new group,” a dissident source told us.

“People can’t believe he has taken money from a fund that is associated with the British government. He has  made a mockery of everything.

“Frankie Quinn has revealed his true colours. He is going for the cash and he doesn’t care how dirty it is. It makes you question his sincerity. He was always making moves, was always cash-hungry but this is a step too far. He has got into bed with the enemy, simple as.”

Quinn is deeply involved with the 1916 Societies, a united Ireland pressure group strongly associated with the dissident movement.

Senior republicans, such as Belfast-based Alex McCrory, are said to be livid at Quinn’s revelations and at claims that any member of Soaradh, the newly formed political wing of the New IRA, are not welcome at Éalú.

Quinn has also been accused of deliberately snubbing Duffy and members of his family.

“This has been seen as a direct snub to the likes of the Duffys in particular. It’s Quinn drawing the lines, saying he wants nothing to do with any of them. Alex McCrory in particular is giving off stink. 

“Even though he is in Belfast, he sees it for what it is — he knows it’s Quinn’s way of putting two fingers up to them,” he added.

“The 1916 Societies, Frankie Quinn’s ‘baby’, are falling apart in front of his eyes. Last month a meeting was held in the CityNorth Hotel in Co. Meath for members of the Societies across Ireland — fewer than 60 people turned up.

“The meeting said it all. There wasn’t even 60 people in the room. It was a sad reflection of the state the Societies are in. People have lost interest, Frankie has lost control — it was embarrassing.

“He didn’t get the support he thought he would.” 

paula.mackin@sundayworld.com

Daniel McAnaspie

A 28-year-old man has pleaded guilty to manslaughter for the killing of a teenager in Blanchardstown in 2010.

Trevor Noone, with an address in Dublin, was initially charged with murdering 17-year-old Daniel McAnaspie on February 26, 2010 at Tolka Valley Park in Blanchardstown. 

At the Central Criminal Court today, his defence counsel Michael O'Higgins SC said that his client wished to make a fresh plea in front of the jury.

When asked if he pleaded guilty or not guilty to the teenager's murder, Noone responded: "Not guilty to murder, guilty to manslaughter."

Brendan Grehan SC, prosecuting, said the plea is accepted by the State on the grounds that it is an "unequivocal acceptance of responsibility in the death of Daniel McAnaspie."

Mr O'Higgins responded: "That is the case."

Justice Patrick McCarthy thanked the jury and discharged them, before later granting bail to Noone until next Wednesday, March 1, to allow him to "get his affairs in order".

Eoin Reynolds