Other News In Brief

Port Workers March

Dublin port workers are to hold protest marches in the docks area this morning and it is expected to disrupt traffic in the area from about 10.30am this morning when they get under way. Marches will begin on both sides of the East Link Bridge and proceed to Marine Terminals Company offices at the port. The workers, who are members of SIPTU, are striking to show their opposition to attempts to de-unionise the company. The dispute is now in its eighth week.

Fine Gael Opposes NAMA

Fine Gael will not support NAMA legislation, describing it as "unwise". Party leader Enda Kenny confirmed his TDs will attempt to vote-down the new bill in the Dail next month. He suggested the €90bn plan by Fianna Fáil would represent a "double or quits" gamble on the property market. Speaking in Mayo, Mr Kenny said the Government's move to allow a bad bank to buy up toxic loans was "fundamentally unfair and unwise". See full story: Fine Gael Opposes NAMA

Car Dealership Bust

Around 60 jobs are to be lost in the Midlands region following the news that a major car dealership is to go into liquidation. Casey's Autogroup, which has branches in Roscommon, Athlone and Carrick-on-Shannon in Leitrim is the latest victim of the economic downturn. The company went to the High Court to apply to put the company into voluntary liquidation. The fall off in car sales is being blamed for the move.

Teen Missing In Shannon

A search is continuing this morning for a teenage girl seen falling into the River Shannon in Limerick city yesterday afternoon. A major rescue operation was launched after the 17-year-old was seen entering the water at Sarsfield Bridge at around 2.30pm. Gardaí and local marine rescue teams carried out several sweeps of the area, assisted by the Shannon Coastguard helicopter.

Rain Floods Donegal

Heavy rain on Sunday has lead to flash flooding in west Donegal. There are reports of flooding in the Gweedore and Derrybeg area with the river level close to the Old Church in Derrybeg being reported at road level as of 8pm. There are also reports of flooding in the Glen Road, Annagry, Lower Loughanure and Crolly areas. It is understood that Sunday's flooding has affected roads and bridges repaired following July's floods.

Canoe Family Saved

Tragedy was averted last Friday when the RNLI was involved in a dramatic sea rescue in Portsalon. A family of three got into difficulty while Kayaking with the father and his daughter swept half a mile out to sea after their canoe overturned - although the mother was able to make it back to shore and raise the alarm. The RNLI's Atlantic 85 rapid response vessel was tasked and manged to locate and rescue the man and his daughter from the sea without injury.

Scandavian Link Opens

Two new air services from Copenhagen and Oslo to Dublin Airport are bringing Scandinavia's second-largest airline, Norwegian, to local travellers with a three-times-a-week service between Oslo and Dublin Airport and Copenhagen and Dublin Airport. Norwegian carried more than 9.1 million passengers last year and operates 40 aircraft on 170 routes to 87 destinations. The launch of the new Norwegian services means that passengers now have an alternative low-cost option and a choice of flying times when travelling between Oslo and Copenhagen and Dublin Airport.

Rape Support Welcomed

A Sexual Assault Treatment Unit in Galway has been welcomed by the Rape Crisis Network. The association said the absence of a unit in the west has been a source of additional distress and trauma to victims of sexual violence in the area. The new service will be available 24 hours a day and can be accessed either through the Gardaí or by calling 1800 355 355. Other Sexual Assault Treatment Units are already in place at the Rotunda Hospital in Dublin and in Waterford, Cork, Mullingar and Letterkenny.

(BMcC/GK)