| 10.4°C Dublin

Irish language plans

OFFICIAL plans to preserve and protect the Irish language have gotten under way.

Minister of State for the Gaeltacht Dinny McGinley has asked for groups in three Gaeltacht areas to submit language plans. Gaeltacht areas in south Kerry (Ciarrai Thiar), Connemara (Cois Fharraige) and Donegal (Gaoth Dobhair) were notified to submit their proposals for the scheme. Local organisations in the selected areas have until January 16 to apply to be selected to submit language plans. A further 23 areas will be selected over the coming two years.

CREMATION FOR VICTIM

THE remains of a 29-year-old woman murdered last weekend at her home in Co Mayo are to be cremated.

Hundreds turned out last evening to pay their last respects to Sarah Staunton from Portagh, Mayo Abbey. Ms Staunton was found dead on Saturday. An autopsy showed she had been seriously assaulted. A man arrested and charged with the mother of two's murder is to appear on remand at Harristown Court this morning.

NEW RTE RADIO HEAD

PRODUCER Tom McGuire has been officially announced as Head of RTE's Radio One.

The 58-year-old is the former editor of current affairs at the station. Mr McGuire, who has worked at RTE for 20 years, took on the role of Acting Head of Radio One six months ago, taking over from managing director of RTE Radio, Jim Jennings.

JUDGE 'IS NOT SANTA'

A JUDGE told a court that he was not Santa Claus, when he refused to strike out a case. Christopher Wynne's defence lawyer, Michael Hennessy, asked Judge Anthony Halpin to strike out his client's case as the case could not proceed and the prosecution were looking for a new hearing date. Mr Hennessy said: "It is Christmas and I was hoping you might strike the case out."

Judge Halpin told Tallaght Court: "Do I look like Santa Claus? I'm not going to strike the case out." He adjourned the case to a date in February for hearing.

Most Watched

Privacy