News in Brief
Varadkar push to secure return of Halawa
A MAJOR diplomatic effort begins tomorrow to secure the return home of Irish citizen Ibrahim Halawa in jail in Egypt for the last four years. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar will talk by phone with the Egyptian president on Monday to ask that Halawa be allowed to return to Ireland after his trial. There have been numerous court hearings which have all been adjourned. However, a verdict is expected on Monday. Speaking in Kilkenny yesterday, the Taoiseach said that it is his hope and expectation that Mr Halawa will be sent home when the trials ends.
“Certainly the Government is very keen to insure that Ibrahim Halawa can return to Ireland as soon as possible,” he said. “The Egyptian government has always said that they cannot interfere in a trial — in just the same way that an Irish government cannot interfere in the court process. We will do everything we can to enable him to come home.”
Halawa, now 21, could be back in Ireland within weeks, though his four-year imprisonment without trial strained relations between Dublin and Cairo. He was arrested in Cairo in 2013, along with his three sisters Somaia, Fatima and Omaima, during protests in support of Mohammed Mursi, who had been ousted from power in a military coup.
Dublin winner scoops €9.5m jackpot
There was one winner in last night’s €9,485,078 Lotto jackpot. The ticket was sold in Dublin. The winning numbers were 1, 16, 17, 32, 34, 35 (bonus 5). Plus One numbers were 9, 13, 18, 34, 39, 43 (bonus 20) and Plus Two were 7, 16, 30, 31, 34, 42 (bonus 46). The raffle number was 3748.
Motorists warned school traffic is back
AA Ireland is warning motorists to allow additional time when commuting to work, as schools begin to reopen after the summer break.
The AA’s traffic-monitoring service, is also advising drivers that congestion on the M7, particularly at junction 9 (Naas North) and junction 19 (Naas South) is likely to worsen in the coming weeks.
In Cork, traffic volumes at the Dunkettle Interchange are also expected to increase as the new school year begins, with Tralee, Wexford Town and Newbridge also likely to see more traffic build up.
Cyclists to cross the country for charity
Cyclists are gearing up for a 270km expedition from Galway to Dublin in aid of cancer care for the midlands.
The ‘Coast2Coast’ cycle takes place on September 9-10 to raise funds for an MRI scanner at Regional Hospital Mullingar and LARCC Cancer Support Sanctuary, Multyfarnham, Co Westmeath.
The event, launched by RTE GAA analysts Dessie Dolan and Bernard Flynn, highlights the emotional challenges faced by those living with cancer.
There are eight HSE-designated cancer centres nationwide, however only two have a psycho-oncology department — both based in Dublin.
Organiser Frank Dillon said: “The MRI scanner will be a major breakthrough in diagnostic procedures in the midlands. There is an acute need for emotional and psychological care post diagnosis, that is why LARCC Cancer Support Sanctuary is so important.’’
To get involved, phone Frank Dillon on 087-6443742, or visit ‘Coast2Coast Cycle for Cancer Care’ on Facebook.
Women’s rugby head coach steps down
Ireland women’s head coach Tom Tierney has stepped down following his side’s World Cup defeat to Wales.
A 27-17 loss to Wales was Ireland’s third consecutive defeat of this tournament, with the hosts’ bitterly disappointing campaign on home soil ending with an eighth-placed finish.
Chief executive leaves €2.5m in will
Michael Bent, a chief executive officer of Headford, Mount Avenue, Dundalk, Co Louth, who died on February 5, 2017, has left €2,500,617 in his will.
Other wills: Michael Walsh, cardiologist, Brighton Road, Foxrock, Dublin, €1,653,295; Christopher Quinn, engineer of Dundela Park, Sandycove, Dublin, €1,186,694; James Doherty, farmer, Meenkeeragh, Buncrana, Co Donegal, €1,071,776; Sheila O’Neill, housewife of Kilskyre, Co Meath, left €995,581; Margaret Synott, doctor, Main Street, Newtownmountkennedy, Co Wicklow, left €978,412 and Ronald George Maybury, managing director, Windgates, Bray, Co Wicklow, left €826,171.