DNA from girl suspect destroyed Detectives have agreed to destroy DNA swabs and fingerprints taken from a girl aged 11 in Londonderry last month. Police arrived at Sarah-Leigh Millar’s home after she was allegedly seen writing graffiti on city walls. They agreed to destroy the records after meeting her parents and Mark Durkan, the SDLP leader who is their local MP. Durkan said the child had been subjected to “an awful ordeal”. The family have made a complaint to Nuala O’Loan, the police ombudsman.
Murder accused remanded
Murder accused remanded A man aged 39 was remanded in custody at Belfast magistrates’ court charged with murder. Mark John Rush, of no fixed abode, is accused of attacking Robert Hillen, 56, outside the Ulster Hall in Belfast city centre last Saturday. Hillen died in hospital on Wednesday. The accused was remanded in custody until October.
Sanchez stays
Advertisement
Lawrie Sanchez, the Northern Ireland football manager, has ended days of speculation by saying he will continue in the job. He said he had considered resigning because of the bad press after Northern Ireland’s drubbing by Iceland. But the 3-2 win over Spain and the “tremendous support” from fans meant he would stay.
Unionists criticise Gaeltacht move
A decision by Belfast city council to designate part of the largely nationalist Falls Road as a Gaeltacht area has caused controversy. Unionists have criticised the scheme, describing it as a political vehicle for republicans. Official council maps show Belfast’s Gaeltacht running along the Falls Road as far as Milltown cemetery. Supporters of the idea, such as Paul Maskey, the Sinn Fein councillor, said it will attract visitors and help to improve the area’s image.
Police appeal after man’s killing
Police in Northern Ireland launched an urgent appeal yesterday for help in identifying a murder victim found in Belfast. Six people have been arrested for questioning since the man was found at a house in the main student district on Wednesday. He had suffered facial injuries that have made it difficult to make a positive ID. Detectives believe the man, aged between 40 and 50, may be Scottish or a foreign national.
Advertisement
Paedophile interview angers charity
One in Four, the national charity that supports women and men who have experienced sexual violence, is to complain to the RTE Authority and the Broadcasting Complaints Commission about an interview with a convicted paedophile on The Late Late Show on Friday. It said the interview was “grossly irresponsible, misguided and ill-considered”.
Thousands search for legal high
A drugs watchdog group has been inundated with requests for information about a hallucinogenic plant legally sold in Ireland after the government banned magic mushrooms. Salvia divinorum is available in alternative health shops and is so popular that the group Crosscare has had more than 5,000 inquiries.
Toll of toxic waste victims soars
Advertisement
The number of people taken ill in Ivory Coast after inhaling fumes from dumped toxic waste has risen to more than 5,000. Hospitals in Abidjan, the capital, have become crowded with victims and three deaths have been reported. The waste was taken off a foreign ship and dumped around the city.
Tiernan Ireland’s funniest person
Tommy Tiernan was named Ireland’s funniest living person, while the Irish person of the year went to the Munster rugby squad at the 32nd people of the year awards in Dublin last night. Anita McCluskey, 14, whose sister Claire was killed in last year’s Navan bus crash, was young person of the year.
Dublin monitors high tide threat
Coastal water levels were being monitored last night amid concerns about possible high tide levels. Dublin city council said the risk of flooding was low.
Advertisement
Last night’s winning Irish lottery numbers
5 8 15 28 30 39 Bonus: 4
Irish Lotto Plus 1 game
1 8 13 18 26 33 Bonus: 10
Irish Lotto Plus 2 game
Advertisement
1 8 14 24 38 39 Bonus: 35