CIARAN Ó LIONAIRD took another giant step forward in his fragmented athletics career yesterday when he finished sixth in his semi-final of the men’s 1,500m at the world championships in Daegu to qualify for tomorrow’s final.

IRELAND’S minute involvement in the world indoor championships at Valencia was short-lived as the two representatives, sprinter Ailish McSweeney and 1,500m runner James Nolan, bowed out opening day.

An Eritrean national who was described as "someone who is quiet dangerous" is making it impossible for a judge to sentence him on rape charges in the Central Criminal Court because he is either violent, drunk or in a state of undress.

An Eritrean national facing sentence for rape had to be carried screaming and kicking by prison officers across the Round Hall of the Four Courts to a cell after he was deemed too dangerous to be kept in court.