It's somewhat ironic the Naval Service's commander spends most of his days on Haulbowline Island, just a stone's throw from Spike Island where three of his granduncles were interned in 1921 – and a fact he only found out two years ago.

ONE of the highest alcohol readings ever recorded in the history of the state was detected in the bloodstream of a man found dead in a public toilet in Drogheda, an inquest heard yesterday.