Garda raid
Gardaí investigating incidents of dangerous driving and ramming of a garda vehicle in Cherry Orchard in Dublin on Monday have carried out six searches at domestic residences on Thursday.
The searches were carried out in the wider Ballyfermot area and focused on evidence gathering.
A number of items were seized, including electronic devices.
Shortly after 7.30pm on Monday, gardaí responded to reports of dangerous driving in the Cherry Orchard area. Upon arrival Gardaí observed two vehicles driving erratically.
The Official Garda vehicle was deliberated rammed on a number of occasions during the incident.
Historic Northern Ireland census
The results of the census in Northern Ireland clearly indicate that historic and irreversible change is under way, a senior Sinn Féin figure has said.
North Belfast MP John Finucane said the figures emphasised the need to intensify preparations for a future referendum on Irish unity.
However, the DUP’s Stormont Assembly member Philip Brett warned against “lazy analysis” linking religious affiliation with public opinion on constitutional change.
Runaway rents
Renters need relief and runaway rents need to stop, the Dáil has heard.
Sinn Féin’s Pearse Doherty said an entire generation have been “locked into an unaffordable rental market and locked out of ever being able to afford their own home”.
He described house prices as “out of control”, adding that thousands of people living in the private rental sector are “frightened”.
He reiterated Sinn Féin’s call for the Government to introduce tax credits for renters along with a ban on rent price increases as part of its Budget measures.
Paid domestic violence leave
Paid domestic violence leave should be based on an “honour” system, rather than forcing victims to prove they are entitled to leave through a doctor’s sick note, an Oireachtas committee has been told.
Dr Laura Bambrick, head of Social Policy and Employment Affairs at the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU), said that victims of domestic violence should be taken for their word when requesting time off from work.
Legislation has been tabled by Sinn Féin’s Louise O’Reilly which would give domestic violence survivors a statutory entitlement to 10 days’ paid leave.
Dublin property
An owner of a Dublin city centre property has claimed before the High Court that his efforts to sell the house are being hampered because it is being illegally occupied by several unknown persons who have no right to be there.
Peter McGovern claims that earlier this month he discovered that the locks had been changed, rendering him unable to access the three storey over basement terraced house he owns at 35 Blessington Street, Dublin 1.
He claims that he and his wife acquired the property, which he had previously rented out to students and had used as a creche, in 1998
