The new prison planned for Thornton Hall in north Dublin is now to be built on a phased basis as funds become available. The first unit, due to be opened in 2014, will house 700 prisoners in 400 cells. Critics have found a variety of reasons to criticise this approach. Opposition TDs were concerned that nine year will have elapsed between the conception of the project and the housing of its first inmate. The Irish Penal Reform Trust argued against the idea of having prisoners sharing cells.

The contract for building the access road should be signed this week. Come September tenders will be invited to build the perimeter wall and the tendering process for the 400-cell unit will commence in the spring of 2011. The original plan had been to build all 1,400 cells as a Public Private Partnership but it seems that the private sector's appetite for such projects has diminished.

Arnotts to be taken over by banks

Anglo Irish Bank and Royal Bank of Scotland are seeking EU approval to take over the Arnotts Department Store in the centre of Dublin. While the property boom was in full swing Arnotts started to acquire adjacent buildings with a view to creating a massive shopping complex between Henry Street and Middle Abbey Street, but this project is now on hold.

Arnotts has debts of more than €250m and is faced with falling property prices which has prompted that banks to move. If the EU approval is given the store is expected to operate as normal without any job losses. The Royal Bank of Scotland is involved through its subsidiary, Ulster bank.

Search abandoned for missing Irishman in New York

It is only today that it is being reported that an Irishman drowned in New York's Long Island Sound on Sunday. Eoin Curran (30), a Senior Engineer with Google from Templeogue in Dublin, was swept off a 23-foot yacht while on his first sailing lesson. A storm developed quickly on what started out as a fine day and Eoin and his instructor fell overboard. The instructor managed to cling to the boat and was helped on board by three other trainees. They tried to throw a life preserver to Mr Curran but could not reach him.

A search of the area continued until yesterday but the rescue services have now been stood down.

Emigration levels confirmed

Statistics released by the European Commission show that people are leaving Ireland at twice the rate experienced by EU other countries. In 2009 there was a net outflow from Ireland of nine people per 1,000. Lithuania was the next highest with 4.6 per thousand. There is no breakdown of the figure but it is believed that the vast majority of those leaving are non-nationals who have lost their jobs and decided to move on.

Dublin Big Wheel to open Saturday

A 60-metre high big wheel is to operate at the Point Village in Dublin from Saturday. The 42-pod wheel is aimed at attracting ,more people to the Village which has been struggling to become a commercial success. Each pod can carry eight people who will be asked to pay €9 for the 13-minute journey of four revolutions.

Crowds flock to Galway Races

The numbers attending the Galway Races this year is ahead of last year and seems to be surprising the organisers. Monday and Tuesday evening meetings each attracted 18,000 spectators which was an increase of 600 and 2,000 respectively. Betting turnover is up 10%. Today is the day of the Galway Plate and with the weather looking good another big crowd is expected.

Today's Papers

Three different stories take the lead in the Southern papers this morning. The Irish Times leads with criticism by Fine Gael and Labour of the new approach to Thornton Hall prison, with "Opposition denounces scaled-down plan for new prison"; the Irish Examiner reports on a bid by a group of priests to establish an association, with "Priests want a union to express views"; and the Irish Independent reports on problems at a major Dublin store, with "Anglo to take control of struggling Arnotts".

The Irish News headline reads "BBC axed All-Ireland match due to trebling of RTE fee", although Andre Shoukri again features on the front page.

The Weather in Galway

It is mostly overcast this morning but apart from one brief shower has remained dry. Temperature 18C.

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