The Irish Emigrant - Dec 15: Man in court over Enniskillen death

Following the death in Belfast's Royal Victoria Hospital of 15-month-old Millie Martin on Friday, Barry McCarney (30), from Irvinestown, Co. Fermanagh, appeared in court in Omagh this morning charged with her murder.

The court was told that the PSNI was informed when the infant was brought in a lifeless condition to the Erne Hospital in Enniskillen, last Thursday night. Hospital staff concluded that Millie had been the victim of a sexual assault.

Throughout four days of questioning McCarney denied that he was responsible for the injuries which led to Millie's death.

Woman loses embryo appeal

The Supreme Court this morning ruled against a 43-year-old mother of two in a dispute over three frozen embryos. Mary Roche wished to have the embryos released for implantation while her estranged husband, Thomas Roche, objected.

The dispute was first taken to the High Court three years ago and when Ms Roche lost the case she appealed to the Supreme Court. The couple had two children, the second by IVF, before separating from her husband. Mr Roche has said he has no wish to have further children.

Fr Sinnott to be honoured by President

President Mary McAleese will today welcome Columban missionary Fr Michael Sinnott to a reception in his honour at Áras an Uachtarain. Fr Sinnott, from Barntown, Co. Wexford, was released last month after being held captive in the Philippines for 31 days. He will be accompanied to the Áras by members of his family and other Columban Fathers.

Protest by public sector workers

Public sector workers have planned a protest rally outside Leinster House today, against the pay cuts announced in last week's Budget. Later this week the Irish Congress of Trade Unions is expected to announce its plans for action in protest at the cuts, and they have not ruled out strikes. While the rally is in progress TDs will be debating the legislation to reduce public service pay.

Teenager charged with Limerick murder

Kenneth Collopy (19), of Ballysimon, Co. Limerick, was charged at a special court sitting in Limerick last night with the murder of 24-year-old Daniel Fitzgerald at Ballysimon last Tuesday. Mr Fitzgerald was shot dead outside a house on the main Tipperary road. The teenager will appear in court again on December 17.

MBNA to reimburse customers

Credit card company MBNA is to refund some €18m to its credit card customers after it was discovered they had been overcharged over a number of years. The average amount to be repaid is €38 and the Leitrim-based company has insisted that it was the company itself that discovered the mistake in the way interest was calculated and reported the error to the Financial Regulator.

Tuesday's Papers

The three Southern papers go in different directions for their main stories this morning. The Irish Times looks to Copenhagen with "African fury puts Kyoto cuts back on table at UN climate talks"; the Irish Examiner reports on a Waterford couple who have had their home repossessed under the headline "Anger as families at the mercy of lenders"; and the Irish Independent reports another apparent U-turn by the Government with "Ministers back off in semi-state pay battle".

The Irish News expands of a story it broke lat week with "IRA man: I held Lynskey captive until his murder". The newspaper claims that Joe Lynskey (45), who disappeared in 1972, was killed by the IRA.