Girl (17) awaits trial for assault

The girl (17) had been charged last month at the Children's Court with assaulting the 37-year-old woman at her home in Sallynoggin, in south Dublin.

Last month, Garda Liam Moore had told the court it was alleged the victim came out of her house to get something from her car.

A group of teenagers were outside and asked her for a cigarettes. Garda Moore alleged the girl then attacked her and struck her "10 to 15 times".

¤200k house arsonist freed

A drunken man who set fire to a house in a moment of "inexplicable madness", causing €200,000 worth of damage, has been given a suspended sentence and community service.

Augustine Raftery (22), of Wheatfield Grove, Clondalkin, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to arson at the same address in the early hours of October 12, 2008.

Judge Desmond Hogan sentenced Raftery to three years suspended in full for three years and ordered him to carry out 240 hours' community service.

Media let into tsunami plant

Media have been allowed into Japan's tsunami-damaged Fukushima nuclear power plant for the first time since the disaster in March.

Representatives of the Japanese and international media were allowed into the plant with the government's chief official in charge of the crisis.

Officials said the situation at the plant has improved enough to allow the visit, though reporters had to wear full-body protective gear.

Thai king (83) feels the strain

Thailand's ailing king -- the world's longest-reigning monarch -- has suffered a health problem that caused him to temporarily lose consciousness, his daughter has revealed.

The health of 83-year-old King Bhumibol Adulyadej has been linked to stress caused by the floods crisis. that has hit the country.