Other News In Brief

Gardaí Make Arrest Over 2006 Murder

A man has been arrested as part of an investigation into a County Clare murder that took place over thirteen years ago.

Aidan Kelly was shot dead at age 19 in Ardnacrusha on 10 May 2006.

It is understood the teenager, from Limerick city, was lured to a country lane before being shot five times in the head and body.

A firearm was recovered from the scene.

A man in his 30's is being questioned in relation to the murder. His arrest is the first in the investigation.

Gardaí are appealing for anyone with information, no matter how insignificant they may think it is, to contact Henry Street Garda Station on (061) 212 400, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800-666-111 or any Garda station.

SIPTU Demand Improved Safety Measures At Ports & Docks

SIPTU representatives have met with Pat Breen, Minister of State in the Department of Trade, Employment and Business, to discuss the need for urgent measures to improve safety at ports and docks.

The meeting was held in conjunction with the International Transport Workers' Federation following a tragic seven deaths in workplace accidents at ports and docks over the last three years.

SIPTU TEAC Division Organiser, Greg Ennis, said: "This is a completely unacceptable situation which we strongly believe would not have occurred if an adequate standardised safety regime was in place in shared workspaces within the environs of Irish ports and docks."

SIPTU Ports, Docks and Harbour Organiser, Jerry Brennan, added: "At the meeting, our delegation directly called on the Minister to heed our longstanding call for safety training schemes, similar to those within the construction industry, to be introduced at our ports and docks.

"These include the national safe pass certificate and Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS). Both schemes focus on ensuring high levels of compliance with health and safety. In the case of the CSCS it involves training in safety measures around the use of heavy machinery of a type which is present in ports and docks throughout the country."

SIPTU Transport Sector Organiser, John Murphy, said: "We will now formalise our position in writing to the Minister and we expect his Department to take our views onboard and move swiftly to introduce safety schemes for dock workers and seafarers. We believe that such a move can ensure a significant reduction in fatalities and serious injuries occurring at ports and docks in Ireland."

Minister Murphy Slammed For Failure To Acknowledge Latent Defect Cases

Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy has come under severe criticism after failing to respond to new reports on latent defect cases.

A series of new cases, as reported by the Irish Times, were found in Blackrock, Dublin and in Oak Grove, Kildare.

Sinn Féin representative Eoin Ó Broin TD has hit out at Minister Murphy and urged him to stop "burying his head in the sand".

The party's housing spokesperson also called on the Minister to reconsider the proposals made in the Sinn Féin Bill and the cross-party committee report, Safe as Houses.

He explained: "A key recommendation of the Safe as Houses report was that a latent defects redress scheme should be established to help homeowners facing bills for remediation works on their homes.

"Sinn Féin followed this up with the publication of the Latent Defects Redress Bill 2019. This Bill establishes a redress scheme to assist homeowners in remedying issues, such as fire safety and other structural defects that have been uncovered in their homes."

Deputy Ó Broin added: "I will be seeking a meeting with Fianna Fáil and other opposition spokespersons on this Bill in order to get cross party support for the proposals.

"Minister Murphy and Fine Gael can no longer stand idly by as ordinary homeowners with latent defects struggle to find solutions on their own."



(JG/CM)