East Coast News Centre

Hundreds Attend Garda Memorial Day

2013-05-18T14:23:00.003+01:00

Hundreds attended the Garda Memorial Day at Dublin Castle this afternoon, to remember all Gardaí killed in the line of duty.

A Remembrance Medal was presented to the family of Adrian Donohoe by the Garda Commissioner and the Minister for Justice, Alan Shatter.

Detective Donohoe was shot dead during the robbery of a credit union in Co. Louth in January.

His wife Caroline, who is also a Garda, attended the commemoration at Dublin Castle together with her two young children.

Child Abductions And Family Conflicts On The Rise

2013-05-18T11:41:00.003+01:00

The number of cases of international child abductions and family conflicts are on the rise.

That's according to mediators who will today address a conference on the importance of spoken intervention in such cases.

NUI Galway and the UNESCO child family research centre will host the conference on the suitability of mediation from a legal, practical and cultural perspective.

France Legalises Gay Marriage

2013-05-18T10:36:00.001+01:00

France has become the 14th country to legalise gay marriage.

French President Francois Hollande has signed the country's controversial gay marriage bill into law.

The first marriage under the new law is due to be held in Montpellier in southern France on 29 May.

Garda Widow To Be Honoured In Dublin Ceremony

2013-05-18T10:35:00.002+01:00

The wife of Garda Adrian Donohoe will receive a special medal in his honour today.

Detective Donohoe was shot dead during the robbery of a credit union in Co Louth in January.

Caroline Donohoe, who is also a Garda, will attend the commemoration at Dublin Castle with her two young children today.

Minister for Justice, Alan Shatter, will present the medal to Mr Donohoe's family at the ceremony.

Ronan O'Gara Confirms Retirement

2013-05-18T10:34:00.002+01:00

Ronan O'Gara has confirmed his retirement from professional rugby.

Munster Rugby have posted a statement online confirming the speculation from yesterday.

O’Gara reported to have agreed a two-year contract as a coach with Racing Metro, where he'll be working with fellow Irish out-half Jonathan Sexton.

Diesel-laundering Plant Discovered In Dublin

2013-05-18T10:33:00.004+01:00

Investigations are continuing this morning after custom officers discovered and closed a diesel-laundering operation in Dublin last night.

The operation was located in an industrial estate in Blanchardstown.

It’s estimated that a loss of around €1.75m to the exchequer was prevented by the intelligence sting operation.

No one was arrested and investigations are ongoing.

Method For Electing Irish Politicians To Be Debated

2013-05-18T10:32:00.004+01:00

The way Irish politicians are elected will be debated at a meeting of the constitutional convention today.

A broad perspective of public opinion on the current system and alternative proposals were sought by the group over the past few weeks.

Following this weekend’s debate and another weekend of discussions in June, the convention will make its recommendations.

Sixty Injured After Trains Collide Near New York City

2013-05-18T10:32:00.001+01:00

Around sixty people have been injured following a rush-hour train collision near New York City.

250 commuters were on the trains involved in the crash, which happened at ten o'clock last night Irish time.

There are no reports of any fatalities.

A train that left New York's Grand Central station en route to New Haven, Connecticut, derailed and was hit head-on by another train.

Primary Teachers Not Ruling Out Strike Action

2013-05-17T17:39:00.002+01:00

A ballot of primary school teachers has backed a call for industrial action - up to, and including, strike action.

General Secretary of the Irish National Teachers Organisation, Sheila Nunan, says the mandate for action will be used if government unilaterally cuts teacher's pay.

Earlier today, both the INTO and the Teachers Union of Ireland agreed to enter public sector pay talks with the Labour Relations Commission.

Both unions say they will emphasise the impact cuts have had on teachers and their families - and will call for the pay scales of newly qualified teachers and lecturers to be restored.

Sheila Nunan of the INTO says teachers have suffered enough - and are willing to strike if necessary

No Decision Made On Bus Fares

2013-05-17T16:56:00.005+01:00

The Transport Minister says no decisions been made on whether or not the public will face further price hikes on public transport.

Reports today suggest that CIE will ask the National Transport Authority for a fare increase across bus and rail services.

They are also looking to encourage people to use pre-paid tickets or Leap cards which are cheaper.

But Leo Varadkar says there s always a fares review at the end of the year but no hikes are set in stone:

"The NTA...will make a decision at the end of the year as to whether fares should go up again" he said.

"That happens every year - there's no decisions made at this stage".

"One thing that the NTA has to take into account before agreeing a fare increase is the impact it will have on the number of passengers - because obviously if you increase fares too much less people use public transport, and that defeats the whole purpose" he added.

Caution over consuming excess of so-called 'healthy' foods

2013-05-17T16:56:00.003+01:00

We are at risk of piling on the pounds even if we are eating foods marketed as 'healthy'.

That is the findings of a study carried out by a team at the University of Ulster which has shown that people believe they can eat more of the foods that are deemed better for us.

The research also indicates that many people assume that foods with certain health claims are lower in calories than they actually are.

Cliodhna Foley Nolan of Safefood Ireland says those tested consumed up to 30 to 80 percent more of the perceived healthier product.

"They were given say two types of - say - cereal, or two types of drink, or two types of coleslaw; one which was called a healthier versions and one which was called standard" she said.

"In fact, the two of them were the exact same amount of calories".

"But we found that when they thought that something was healthier, or had been marketed as that, that they ate a lot more of it" she added.

Govenrment warned of few options with pension levy

2013-05-17T16:56:00.001+01:00

The government is being warned that it does not have much choice in not scrapping the pension levy.

Corporate pension provider IFG says the government will not be able to afford to scrap the levy in light of the settlement of pensions for Waterford Crystal workers.

The Finance Minister Michael Noonan stated in the Dail last week that the charge would be dropped after 2014.

But Samantha McConnell of IFG says the cost of the pensions for Waterford Crystal is an estimated 300 million euro which leaves the government with little option.

"They only have 2 choices here - they either collect through tax revenue, which is not a palatable option, or put the levy back on the industry" she said.

"In fairness, that's what they have done in pervious examples" she added.

Mick Wallace Complains About Justice Minister

2013-05-17T16:51:00.000+01:00

The Independent TD Mick Wallace is to make a complaint to the Standards in Public Office Commission over the Justice Minister.

It follows Alan Shatter's declaration on television last night that the Wexford TD had been stopped driving by Gardai last year which using his mobile phone and that he was issued with a caution.

Mr Wallace says he has no recollection of this alleged incident and says it represents a serious abuse of the Minister s powers and a breach of the Code of Conduct for Office Holders.

He's also to demand the Data Protection Commissioner investigate if there was any breach of legislation in the Minister making his allegation.

Review Finds Special Education Children Waiting Over a Year for Diagnosis

2013-05-17T14:26:00.003+01:00

A major review of special education in Ireland has found some children are waiting over a year for a diagnosis whilst others find it hard to get a school place.

The National Council for Special Education carried out the review. It says it is disappointed to find that some schools operate "soft barriers" to the enrolment of children with special needs.

It' has recommended a new enrolment policy to make sure all children can get a school place.

And it says teaching resources should be allocated based on the individual needs of children rather than the category of disability.

Chief Executive of the NCSE Teresa Griffin says she is concerned by reports from the HSE that it's being put under pressure to diagnose children in order to secure resources.

"They were being put under tremendous pressure to diagnose children to secure resources, even when the diagnosis isn't clinically indicated by the child's needs" she said.

"They were really concerned - they feel that...the Department's policy in allocating teaching resources is actually driving unnecessary labeling of children, simply to secure additional resources" she added.

Chief Medical Officer: Risk to life of the mother could always be concern

2013-05-17T14:25:00.002+01:00

The Chief Medical Officer says you cannot say that suicide would never be a real and substantial risk to the life of a mother. And Tony Holohan says that is one of the reasons that the risk of suicide is in the proposed abortion laws.

He's been quizzed this morning by politicians on day one of three of hearings on the laws.

Some staunchly pro-life Fine Gael and Independent TDs and Senators have questioned the point of the hearings saying the last time there were hearings in January the views were widely ignored in the drafting of the bill.

Doctor Hologram says the suicide provision had to go into the laws because it could not be left out.

"We simply cannot say that the circumstance of a real and substantial risk to a women's life could never occur as a consequences of suicidal idea, and that's that reason that provision is within Heads (of the Bill)" he said.

"I did say that I don't believe that it would be a prevalent Stanton or a very common situation - but I could not say that it would never occur" he added.

Calls for Investigation as Man Lay Dead for up to 5 Weeks

2013-05-17T14:25:00.000+01:00

Age Action says cutbacks to the supervision of older people in sheltered accommodation are putting more lives at risk

The warning comes following the death of a man in council accommodation in Dublin.

The body of a 62-year-old father of two Brian Corr was found 5 weeks after his death in council accommodation in Beggars Bush Court in Ballsbridge.

Dublin City Council is coming under pressure to investigate how he lay undiscovered for so long.

Age Action Spokesperson Gerard Scully says he believes that liaison officers, or wardens, who are suppose to check the homes, have been scaled back because of budget cuts.

"We in Age Action understand that there are cutbacks in this area and some of the liaison officers are quite stretched in their work" he said.

"But really it's a tragic end to a life that somebody can be in their home for 5 weeks, dead, without being discovered" he added.

Increase in Alcohol as 'Drug of Choice'

2013-05-17T14:24:00.002+01:00

Over half of the people admitted to a Dublin residential treatment facility are from outside the capital.

Coolmine Therapeutic Community near Blanchardstown have been helping people tackle their addiction problems for the last 40 years.

They say 60 percent of the people coming through their doors are staying drug-free following treatment compared to 29 percent countrywide.

Chief Executive Pauline McKeown says they are seeing a change in the people they are treating.

"The heroin use, the opiate use is on the decrease - we're seeing a prevalence in alcohol as a primary drug of choice" she said.

"We're seeing a prevalence in benzodiazepine use and also in crack and cocaine use as well".

"So we need to adapt our services and continue to adapt to meet those client needs" she added.

Childline Releases Latest Figures On Calls To Its Services

2013-05-17T10:33:00.000+01:00

Nearly 800-thousand calls were made to Childline last year, but more than a third went unanswered. In total, the organisation managed to deal with over 530-thousand calls from children in 2012, with the majority relating to abuse and welfare issues. The charity's annual statistics for 2012 show that nearly 24-thousand of the contacts from children were made via text, email and one-to-one web chats. Childline says bullying also remains a serious concern, with over 10-thousand contacts from young people specifically related to the issue. The children's helpline is launching today's statistics to coincide with the seventh International Child Helpline Day.

Commuters Facing Price Hike In Fares

2013-05-17T10:29:00.002+01:00

Commuters here in Wicklow can expect to be hit with higher bus and rail prices from next year. CIE is reported to be making an application to the National Transport Authority in July to hike fares across its network. It's in a bid to encourage passengers to use pre-paid tickets and Leap cards instead, which will incur cheaper fares. The reports come on the back of yesterday's deal between unions and management at Bus Eireann on a five million euro cost cutting plan.

Venezuela's Government Blames Media For Loo Roll Shortage

2013-05-17T07:41:00.000+01:00

Venezuela's been forced to import 50 million toilet rolls after supplies ran out. Opposition groups blame price controls which have also led to milk, butter, and coffee shortages. But the government claims the excessive demand for loo roll is because of a media campaign, aimed at disrupting the country.

Public Hearings On Draft Abortion Legislation Get Underway

2013-05-17T07:22:00.000+01:00

Three days of public hearings to review the draft abortion legislation - will get underway at half past nine this morning in Leinster House. A report from the committee will be used by the Government - to decide whether or not to make changes to the proposed legislation.Policy, medical regulations and obstetric care - will be discussed during today's sessions. The Health Minister James Reilly will make the first contribution. A range of medical experts representing organisations such as the Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, the Irish Medical Council, the Irish Medical Organisation and the Royal College of Physicians - will also be questioned. The hearings will continue on Monday and Tuesday - before the committee draws up a report - which could recommend changes to the draft legislation.

Ceremony Marks 39th Anniversary Of Dublin/Monaghan Bombings

2013-05-17T07:20:00.000+01:00

A wreath laying ceremony will take place in Dublin this morning in memory of the victims of the Dublin/Monaghan bombings. The wreath will be placed at the Talbot Street memorial to mark the 39th anniversary of the attack, which claimed the lives of 26 people in Dublin and seven people in Monaghan. An anniversary mass will take place in St Francis Xavier Church following the ceremony.

Investigations Continue Into Death Of Man In Cork

2013-05-17T07:16:00.002+01:00

Gardai have confirmed the identity of the man whose body was found dumped in a refuse chute in a Cork city apartment complex on Monday evening. He’s been named as 59 year old Liam Manley, a long term resident of the Simon Community who was originally from Baker's Road in Gurranebraher. A post mortem examination confirmed that he was the victim of an assault and gardai have upgraded their investigation to an 'unlawful killing'. Gardai say the victim had no known connection with the flat complex and are trying to establish if he entered the complex with someone he knew.

Survey Shows Homophobia Still Prominent In E.U Nations

2013-05-17T07:15:00.004+01:00

Almost two-thirds of Europe's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community are still afraid to show their sexuality in public and most feel discriminated against. The finding is contained in an EU report to mark the International Day Against Homophobia. The online survey questioned around 93-thousand people in the European Union's 27 member states plus Croatia, which is to join the bloc in July. Over a quarter (26%) of respondents said they had been physically or verbally assaulted over the last five years.

Wicklow Councillor Urges Government To Move On Plans To Abolish Senate

2013-05-17T07:14:00.003+01:00

A Wicklow councilor has criticized recent moves by Senators which aim to retain the Senate. Councillor Derek Mitchell says he strongly supports Fine Gael’s policy to hold a referendum to abolish the senate this year. Councilor Mitchell says as a small country we don’t need a second chamber and says the government needs to cut out sections of bureaucracy to make the country operate in a more efficient way. He says most small European countries do not have a second chamber and abolishing a high up institution such as the Senate sets an example to other bodies.