East Coast News Centre

Obama Comments On Oklahoma Disaster

2013-05-21T16:11:00.003+01:00

Barack Obama has told his disaster response team to get tornado victims in Oklahoma everything they need "right away."

The President has described the storm as "one of the most destructive" in American history.

The twister flattened entire neighbourhoods and destroyed a school.

24 people - including 7 children - are now known to have died.

President Obama has spoken in the past hour:

Tit Bonhomme Survivor Tells Inquest Of Ill-Fated Voyage

2013-05-21T15:56:00.001+01:00

The lone survivor of the Tit Bonhomme fishing boat tragedy last year has told an inquest into the deaths of his five crewmates that he had sufficient sleep and rest on the ill-fated voyage.

A Marine Casualty Investigation Board report into the sinking found crew fatigue was the main cause of the tragedy - which happened when the vessel sank as it was returning to Union Hall in West Cork in January of 2012.

But 44-year-old Abdelbaky Mohamed said it was difficult to say how much sleep he had in total.

He says he would sleep for two hours - and work for six or seven - but maintained he was not exhausted at the time of the collision

Committee To Investigate Wicklow Enterprise Centre Over Money Spent

2013-05-21T14:27:00.002+01:00

The public accounts committee is to investigate how state monies invested in the Wicklow Enterprise Centre was spent.

Wicklow Enterprise Park was set up in the early 1990s in an effort to encourage employment throughout the County.

Wicklow T.D. Simon Harris who is a member of the Public Accounts committee says he has secured agreement that information would be sought on all public money provided by state agencies over the past number of years to Wicklow Enterprise Park.

It follows several media reports in recent weeks, which raised questions about the amount of money being spent on research trips abroad and here at home.

Progress Made In Croke Park 2 Talks

2013-05-21T14:25:00.006+01:00

The head of the Labour Relations Commission (LRC) says progress has been made in the Croke Park 2 talks and a new document has been circulated to most public sector unions.

Kieran Mulvey says there are still some sticking points with the health sector unions - after more than 24 hours of talks at the LRC.

The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Brendan Howlin says the new document achieves savings this year that come as close to 300 million as possible.

Kieran Mulvey says he hopes the talks are now coming to an end: "It's been a difficult set of negotiations over the last 2 to 3 weeks, and complex issues and difficult issues for all involved - so I'll just leave to the unions themselves who will be balloting on these in the next few weeks" he said. "I hope the process is coming to an end - but you never know in industrial relations" he added.

Justice Minister To Make Statement In Dáil on Wallace Controversy

2013-05-21T14:24:00.001+01:00

The Justice Minister is to make a statement in the Dáil tonight on the Mick Wallace controversy.

Alan Shatter has found himself in hot water after revealing the Independent TD benefited from Garda discretion by avoiding penalty points.

Yesterday Minister Shatter said he received the information at a Garda briefing and that he felt he had a duty to make the disclosure.

He'll make a full statement on the issue to the Dáil this evening - followed by a question & answer session.

Earlier - the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs expressed his full support for Minister Shatter. However, Eamon Gilmore says he feels the privacy issues highlighted by the controversy do need to be debated.

SIPTU Begin Strike Action At Shangannah Treatment Plant

2013-05-21T09:45:00.000+01:00

Members of SIPTU at the Shanganagh Waste Water Treatment Plant have begun strike action today, in response to what the union says is their employer’s failure to negotiate agreement with regard to major contractual issues. Last month the workers voted for strike action at the plant. Since then there have been two conciliation meetings with the Labour Relations Commission. The union says while some matters have been addressed, there has been no progress to date with regard to the key issues of pay and shift premiums. The facility treats water for domestic and commercial purposes for 248,000 people living in Dublin and Wicklow. A spokesperson for the company says the facility will operate as normal and that services will not be affected by the action at this stage.

New Proposals On Croke Park Two Being Given To Unions

2013-05-21T08:52:00.002+01:00

The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform has said a new set of proposals are being distributed to public sector unions - as the talks on the Croke Park 2 deal reach the end of the line. Talks continued through the night at the Labour Relations Commission with health sector and teachers unions. The head of the LRC Kieran Mulvey is briefing Minister Brendan Howlin before a full report goes to Cabinet. Speaking on his way into the briefing, Minister Howlin said the new document will achieve savings this year that come as close to 300 million euro as possible.

Apple Rejects Claims It Uses Ireland For Tax Avoidance

2013-05-21T08:30:00.002+01:00

Apple has been accused of using Ireland as a way of avoiding tens of billions of euro in tax. A US senate report said the iPhone maker avoided paying tax by setting up companies in Ireland which paid little or no tax on sales of the company's products outside America. The report by the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations said Apple had agreed tax a rate of just 2 percent with the Irish government, well below the corporation tax rate of 12.5 percent. In a statement the company says it does not use tax gimmicks.

At Least 91 Killed In U.S. Tornado

2013-05-21T07:45:00.002+01:00

One of the strongest tornadoes ever recorded has brought immense destruction to the state of Oklahoma - destroying several buildings, including a primary school. Rescue workers are now searching through the rubble for more than 20 children who are missing. At least 91 people died and more then 170 were injured when wind speeds of up to 200 miles per hour tore through the Oklahoma City suburb of Moore.

Reports Say Public Accounts Committee To Investigate Spending At Wicklow Enterprise Park

2013-05-21T07:44:00.001+01:00

It’s being reported this week that the public accounts committee is to investigate how state monies invested in the Wicklow Enterprise Centre was spent. Wicklow Enterprise Park was set up in the early 1990s as a partnership between local businesses, voluntary groups, state agencies and local public representatives, in an effort to encourage employment throughout the County. According to a Free Wicklow Newspaper, committee member, Wicklow T.D. Simon Harris secured agreement that information would be sought on all public money provided by state agencies over the past number of years to Wicklow Enterprise Park. It follows several media reports in recent weeks, which raised questions over the amount of money being spent on research trips abroad and here at home, taken by some board members, which it’s claimed, at times included spouses and Children.

Two Still In Custody In Connection With Former Detective's Death

2013-05-21T07:28:00.002+01:00

Two men remain in Garda custody this morning over the murder of a man in Cavan last year. 49-year-old John Kerins - a former Senior Detective - was found shot dead at his home in Cornaveagh on the outskirts of Bailieboro on the 9th of November 2012. At the time garda sources indicated they were looking into his links to a gang, suspected of involvement in stealing machinery and drug dealing. Two men were arrested yesterday morning - they're being detained at Carrickmacross Garda Station under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act. Meanwhile Gardai are carrying out a search of the garden of the former detective. According to reports they are looking for the remains of his neighbour, who has been missing for the past three years.

Inquest To Begin Into Cork Trawler Deaths

2013-05-21T07:27:00.003+01:00

The inquest is due to open today into the deaths of five men who died when their trawler sank at the mouth of Glandore Harbour in West Cork over a year ago. The Skipper and four crew died when the Tit Bonhomme sank as it was returning to Union Hall on the 15th of January 2012. One man survived the sinking after spending over two hours in the water. The 21 metre long French-made trawler was returning home after cutting short a fishing trip, when she hit Adam Island at the mouth of Glandore Harbour. The tragedy prompted a huge search operation with the local community joining with the statutory agencies to recover the bodies of all five missing fishermen.

Investigations Continue Into Attempted Murder In Dublin

2013-05-21T07:26:00.004+01:00

Gardaí in Dublin are continuing to question a man over the shooting of Seán Enright. The 32-year-old was gunned down outside a gym as he made his way to work in Glasnevin last Wednesday. Mr Enright, who has survived two other attempts on his life, was rushed to the Mater hospital where he is recovering from the attack. Following the latest incident investigators arrested a 46-year-old man last Saturday - he's now being held at Finglas Garda Station.

Discussions On Abortion Legislation Draw To A Close Today

2013-05-21T07:26:00.000+01:00

Lawyers and the junior health minister will close the hearings on the proposed new abortion laws later today. The committee's already heard differing views from obstetricians and psychiatrists. It will report to the government before the final draft of the laws comes before the Dáil and Seanad. Last night medical experts called for some changes to the current drafting. Chairman of the mental health commission John Saunders noted a possible problem with appeals

C.I.F. Urges Government To Tackle Rogue Traders

2013-05-21T07:25:00.001+01:00

The government is being urged to clamp down on people who are working in construction while drawing the dole. According to the Construction Industry Federation, tax compliant contractors are losing tenders because they are being undercut by rogue operators. The CIF says the black market economy is damaging the Exchequer and something must be done to tackle the situation. The Federation's Director General Tom Parlon says consumers should not engage black market contractors

Strike Still On Cards For Teachers

2013-05-20T18:26:00.001+01:00

Secondary teachers have voted for industrial action in the event that the Government pushes through pay cuts.

87% of the membership of the Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland voted in favour of industrial action , however the union has agreed to enter LRC talks on reviving the Croke Park 2 deal.

The ASTI says the ballot reflects the 'deep sense of unfairness felt by teachers' who have already taken 'significant pay cuts averaging 14%'.

Property Tax Warning By Hogan

2013-05-20T17:51:00.001+01:00

The Environment Minister says people who haven't paid the household charge will be pursued for it either by their local authority or the Revenue Commissioners.

Phil Hogan was speaking as the deadline for registering for the local property tax edges closer.

The Minister insists the monies raised by the household charge and property tax will go to local councils to help form their yearly budgets.

24 per cent of people still haven't paid the 100 euro tax and Minister Hogan says they'll face further penalties if they don't pay up

2013-05-20T17:50:00.002+01:00

Almost half of all those convicted of robbery end up being sentenced to less than three years behind bars.

That's according to the latest figures from the Irish Sentencing Information System which found that tiger kidnappings attract the longer jail terms.

A third of those convicted are jailed for between 3 and 5 years, while just over a fifth get up to 10 years.
Only one percent are sentenced to more than that.

The trauma to victims and the large amounts of cash stolen were given as reasons for the more severe punishments in ‘tiger kidnapping’ cases.

Elderly Man Dies in Belfast House Fire

2013-05-20T14:55:00.003+01:00

A 63-year-old man has died in a fire at a flat in Belfast. The blaze broke out at the University Street property at around 7pm last night.

The man was rescued by fire fighters but pronounced dead at the scene.

Group Commander of the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service is Leonard Entwhistle.

He has paid tribute to the family and says people must ensure their smoke alarms are working.

"This is a very sad time for the family - but it really emphasis the need for the wider province to make sure they have a working smoke alarm in all their premises, and test it regularly" he said.

Shatter: No regrets over Mick Wallace comments

2013-05-20T14:55:00.001+01:00

The Justice Minister says he has no regrets about revealing that Mick Wallace benefited from Garda discretion by avoiding penalty points.

Alan Shatter says he received the information at a Garda briefing during which the incident involving the Independent TD was used as an example.

The Minister says he felt that he had a duty to make the disclosure because the Wexford Deputy was hitting out at people who've availed of Garda discretion.

"Had I not referred to that matter, I could have been accused of covering up the fact that the discretion was exercised in favour of Deputy Wallace" he said.

"He can't have it both ways - he can't call for transparency, and then should foul when there is transparency" he added.

Report Shows People Unhappy with Services For Suicide-affected Families

2013-05-20T14:54:00.006+01:00

A new survey of over 100 families bereaved through suicide shows over two-thirds were not satisfied with the health services provided to their loved one.

The study by Turn the Tide on Suicide found a further 20 percent were not happy with Garda handling of their relative's suicide.

One of the people surveyed said he was detained for 6 hours by Gardaí after reporting finding his best friend's body.

The study lead author Professor Kevin Malone said there is a lack of training among some first responders and that needs to change.

"The question is whether or not we are happy to have training on an ad-hoc basis, or are we going to have it on a mandatory basis, whereby everybody who deals with any component of a suicidal crisis has professional training so that they - at the very worst - do not make matters any worse for the families" he said.

Gardai Issue Appeal Over Body found in South Dublin

2013-05-20T14:53:00.002+01:00

Detectives in Dublin investigating a gangland style murder in Tallaght are appealing for information in finding the killer. The remains of 37-year-old Alan Desmond were found by some children who were playing near Killanarden Hill on Saturday evening.

A post mortem has revealed he had been shot in the head.

Gardaí investigating the death are appealing for anyone who may have seen, spoke or engaged with Alan between the last time he was seen on Monday April 29th until the day his body was found on Saturday May 18th to contact them.

They are appealing to local parents whose children may have been in the area and possibly spoke to them about any unusual or suspicious activity to contact the Incident Room at Tallaght Garda Station.

Superintendent Peter Duff has issued this appeal.

"The appeal is two-fold: we'd like to appeal to people...who met or interacted or saw or spoke with Alan Desmond in between the 29th of April and the 18th of May" he said.

"And we'd also like to hear from anyone who saw any suspicions activity in the Killanarden Hill area in the same time period" he added.

Two Detained In Connection With Cavan Murder

2013-05-20T10:47:00.002+01:00

Two men have been arrested in connection with the murder of a man in Cavan last year. 49-year-old John Kerins - a former Senior Detective - was found shot dead at his home in Cornaveagh on the outskirts of Bailieboro on the 9th of November 2012. At the time garda sources indicated they were looking into his links to a gang suspected of involvement in stealing machinery and drug dealing. Two men were arrested this morning - they're being detained at Carrickmacross Garda Station under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act. A number of searches are also taking place in the Baileboro area in connection with the investigation.

Hearings Told There Is No Treatment For Suicide

2013-05-20T10:33:00.002+01:00

Psychiatrists have told the Oireachtas committee hearing on proposed abortion laws that termination is never a treatment for suicide - because there is no treatment for suicide. But they say they can never say that an abortion would not save a woman's life in such circumstances because no evidence exists on this issue either way. Psychiatrists are spending today updating the committee on the draft laws.

Suicide Charity Group Calls For Government Action To Address Growing Problem

2013-05-20T07:44:00.000+01:00

A new study looking at the human stories behind our suicide statistics is to be unveiled today. The Suicide in Ireland Survey Report, claims its research is a mix of tales from 'the kitchen tables of Ireland' and hard hitting science. The work is funded by the 3Ts charity, who are calling for an independent suicide prevention authority, similar to that for road safety.