News in Brief
Gardai search for missing teenage boy
Gardai are looking for 16-year-old Michael Green, who has gone missing from Bluebell, Dublin 12.
Michael was last seen at approximately 11am on January 9 in the Smithfield area of Dublin 7. He is 1.55m tall, of slim build, with auburn hair and blue eyes.
When last seen, Michael was wearing a grey tracksuit and white runners. He often frequents the Inchicore area.
Anyone who has seen Michael or can help find him please call Kilmainham Garda Station (01) 6669700, the Confidential Line (1800) 666 111, or any Garda station.
Second duck confirmed as having bird flu
A case of bird flu has been confirmed — the second in six weeks in Ireland. Avian influenza H5N8 was discovered in a wigeon (a dabbling duck), this time in Co Galway. Another wigeon with the strain was found alive but unable to fly in Wexford Town on December 28.
The Health Protection Surveillance Centre has said that although it can cause serious disease in poultry and other birds, no human infections have been reported from the virus and the risk to humans is very low.
Farmers and bird keepers are being asked to confine poultry and other birds to prevent infection.
Winning numbers in €4.5m Lotto draw
There was no winner of last night’s €4,496,642 Lotto jackpot. The numbers drawn were 2, 4, 11, 22, 25, 34 (bonus 7). Plus One numbers were 2, 8, 13, 15, 16, 36 (bonus 29) and Plus Two were 7, 11, 12, 36, 37, 40 (bonus 26). The raffle drew 3549.
Irish woman killed in US robbery
An elderly Irish woman (81) was stabbed to death after armed robbers entered her home in the US state of Vermont.
Helen Jones, who is originally from Co Mayo, was stabbed “brutally” in the torso in the attack.
The 81-year-old mother of three was found by a neighbour on January 4. Other houses in the locality had recently been broken into. The attacker hasn’t been found, but police are conducting interviews.
Swimming ban as E coli found in water
Winter swimmers have been warned not to enter the sea near Blackrock Baths and Seapoint after high levels of E coli were discovered. The cause of the high levels of the bacteria is not yet known and an investigation has begun.
Hospital overcrowding sparks protest
Protesters gathered in Limerick yesterday to call on the Government to address persistent overcrowding issues at the city’s University Hospital.
The march targeted Health Minister Simon Harris and Finance Minister Michael Noonan, who is a local TD.
The protesters have called for immediate action and want to see capacity increased at the hospital.
Death of well-known actor Barry Cassin
Theatre actor and director Barry Cassin has died at the age of 92. He was best known for bringing John B Keane’s plays to the stage, including the first stage production of The Field. He was also a long-serving adjudicator at the annual All-Ireland Drama Festival.
Dublin solicitor leaves €2m in his will
Dublin solicitor Owen O’Connell, of Silchester Park, Glenageary, who died on February 18, 2016, left €2,282,672 in his will. Other wills: Doreen Glassburg, Pembroke Rd, Dublin 4, €2,101,303; Patrick J Fallon, engineer, Nutley Pk, Dublin 4, €1,591,123; Etna Meehan, Terenure, Dublin 6, €1,362,490; Patrick Broderick, farmer, Pollerton, Co Carlow, €1,353,068; Patrick Kelly, doctor, Ballymore, Co Westmeath, €1,202,640; and Mary Sammon, housewife, Old Kilcullen, Kildare, €1,127,197. The value of estates may include property, including the family home, and should not be regarded as cash amounts.