Killarney murder investigation
A man in his 50s has been released without charge having been arrested in connection with the murder of 75-year-old Kerry grandmother and mother of four Miriam Burns.
The man was arrested on Tuesday and was held for questioning at Killarney Garda station under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, allowing him to be detained for 24 hours without charge.
The man was released shortly before 2pm on Thursday.
A file will now be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and it is understood the man is liaising with gardaí in relation to a separate and unrelated matter.
Ms Burns was found dead in a front room of her two-storey home in Arshanavooley, Killarney at lunchtime on Monday with unexplained injuries.
Neighbours had called to the house after one of her children, who lives abroad, expressed concern after being unable to reach her by phone.
Thomas O'Halloran murder
Tributes have been paid to the Irishman Thomas O’Halloran who was attacked with a knife while on a mobility scooter in west London on Tuesday.
London's Metropolitan Police said the Clare man was slain in a “shocking act” of “unprovoked violence”.
The 87-year-old died after being attacked in the Greenford area of the British capital.
Police said a “dangerous” knife-wielding man was seen fleeing the scene and was caught on CCTV.
In the early hours of Thursday, a 44-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of the murder of Mr O'Halloran.
He was arrested at an address in Southall, west London, police said.
Mr O’Halloran, who lived in Greenford, was originally from Ennistymon, Co Clare.
He is survived by his family, including his sister, two brothers, nieces and nephews.
Pilot drug scheme for Electric Picnic
The first pilot scheme to monitor drug use at festivals and nightlife settings will take place at Electric Picnic.
The pilot drug monitoring programme will analyse drugs to provide real-time information on drug use at festival settings to reduce drug-related harm in Ireland.
The pilot programme will initially take place at Electric Picnic and will be implemented as part of the HSE ‘Safer Nightlife’ harm reduction campaign which was launched earlier this year.
The HSE aims to obtain drug substances at a designated tent and who choose to anonymously submit substances to a “surrender bin” so the HSE can identify and communicate if extra dangerous substances are in circulation.
The HSE will also be in a position to analyse substances of concern identified by medics.
A laboratory will be established onsite and if a substance of concern is identified, the HSE will issue information to the public in attendance of the event with an aim to reduce the consumption of these substances and possible acute emergencies.
Man arrested over serious Wicklow assault
A man has been arrested after a serious assault at a house in Co Wicklow.
Gardaí said a man in his 40s was assaulted on the Ashfield estate in Arklow in the early hours of Tuesday, August 2nd.
The injured man was discovered at about 2.30am with “wounds to the head”.
He was taken to St Vincent’s Hospital, Dublin, before being transferred to Beaumont Hospital where he remains in critical condition.
Gardaí said the suspect, also in his 40s, is being detained at Bray Garda Station.
Lego store opens in Dublin
Lego superfans have flocked to the company's first dedicated shop in Ireland on its opening day.
The store features several eye-catching Lego models inspired by Dublin and Irish culture, such as a camogie player, the Poolbeg chimneys and the Aviva Stadium.
Customers can create personalised products, including their own Lego mini figure.
The store has put in place a managed queueing system with wristbands for its opening weekend.
