METRO Wednesday, September 16, 2009 D METRODigest A DRUNK French teenager narrowly escaped death after falling asleep on a railway track and slumbering undisturbed as a high-speed train roared over him, police said. The 19- year-old, whose name was not released, remained fast asleep, face- down on a stretch of track near Saint- Nolff in southern Brittany, as the Quimper to Paris train passed, leaving only a few grease stains on the back of his jacket. SUPPORT group One-in-Four says it has experienced a surge in new clients in the months following the publication of the Ryan Report on institutional child abuse. The organisation says it dealt with 611 clients in the past three months, compared with a total of 501 clients throughout all of 2008. Its annual report for 2008 reveals one-fifth of clients had experienced clerical abuse, while almost half were abused by members of their own family. Twenty- two sex offenders also participated in the groups treatment programmes. Support group sees post-Ryan surge A NEW electricity link between Ireland and Wales was given the green light yesterday. The 260km underwater cable will run between Rush in north Co Dublin and Barkby beach in North Wales, bringing power to 300,000 homes. The 600million irgrid project was approved by An Bord Pleanla. Energy Minister Eamon Ryan (pictured) said the vital two-way link would bolster electricity supplies and speed up the development of renewable energy. Wales power link to go ahead CEANN Comhairle John ODonoghue has spoken in public for the first time about the hundreds of thousands of euro claimed in expenses when he was Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism. Questioned by RTs Paschal Sheehy, he said: Yes, in my view the costs were high and I regret it. But I behaved in good faith. When asked if he would apologise, Mr ODonoghue (pictured) said: In so far as one regrets something, I think that is an apology. ODonoghue rues expenses ACC BANK has been granted a winding- up order against Liam Carrolls Zoe group while a stay has been placed pending the outcome of a Supreme Court appeal. Mr Justice Frank Clarke yesterday also refused to extend protection of the court to the other companies which were part of the examinership application. The property developer lost his second bid to have an examiner appointed to the group last week. He was seeking court protection from ACC, which was attempting to recover 136million in loans. Bank granted order against Zoe group RT presenter Aidan Power at the launch of the Eco Unesco Young Environmentalist Awards 2010. The awards honour the work of young people between the ages of 12 and 18 who protect, conserve and enhance the environment Picture: Tommy Clancy Sport world in shock at talent snuffed out TRIBUTES from sporting officials poured in yesterday following the death of boxer Darren Sutherland. John Treacy, chief executive of the Irish Sports Council, said Darren was just starting what promised to be a successful career in the professional ranks, having already achieved three Irish senior national titles, two EU Gold medals and an Olympic bronze medal. Darren was an exceptional athlete who represented Ireland with great honour over many years. It was a privilege to know him both as a fine sportsman and as an intelligent, warm and charming man. Darren will be sadly missed by his family, friends, Irish amateur boxing, the wider sports community and all who had the great fortune to have known him. Dominic ORourke, president of the Irish Amateur Boxing Association, said the Dubliners death had devastated the fighters with whom he came through the domestic ranks. Theyre all in desperate shock, he said. Im totally shocked, its unbelievable and its a tragedy for all concerned. His family must be devastated, and our condolences go to them. He was such a popular young lad within the association. He talked to all the kids and they all loved him. He always believed he would qualify for the Olympics and would win a medal, and he achieved it. He was a star of the show. Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism Martin Cullen said it took work, effort, desire and dedication to be a champion qualities Darren had in abundance. Great athlete: Darren at the Olympics Picture: Reuters Olympic medalist Darren a Boxers lead tributes to a true heroBy cOn DOherty DARREN Sutherlands long-time friend and room- mate Kenny Egan has led tributes to the fighter who became an Irish hero at the Beijing Olympics and died before fulfilling his talent as a professional. Sutherland, who was found hanged at his London flat by his manager Frank Maloney yesterday, was tipped to become a household-name boxer after joining the paid ranks following his Olympic bronze medal feat. Egan said he was devastated at Sutherlands sudden death. He was a great athlete, a close friend and a role mod- el for any aspiring athlete. Darren was one of the hardest working and dedicated people I ever trained alongside, he said. I will always remember rooming with him on many of our international trips with the Irish team. My thoughts are with his family and friends. Irish boxing legend Barry McGuigan, the former world featherweight champion, believes Sutherland had the talent to go all the way to the top. McGuigan said: I would describe Darren as a phe- nomenal talent. He represented his country with pride as an amateur and I believe he would have become a world champion in the professional ranks one day. James DeGale, the British fighter who beat Suther- land in the Olympic semi-finals, described the 27-year- old as a gentleman. He was a big part of my Olympic medal journey, and it is just terrible. I just do not know what to say except that he was a brilliant fighter, in fact an excellent fight- er, and he was a gentleman outside the ring as well. He had an Olympic bronze medal, and his whole life to look forward to. He had a great future, and my heart goes out to everyone who knew him. DeGales Olympic coach Terry Edwards said boxing has lost one of its best prospects. He was such a respectful guy outside the ring. When he lost to James in the Olympic semi-final he came straight over to the corner and shook our hands and told us wed got our tactics right, and that was the mark of the man, he said. Mr Maloney was recovering in hospital yesterday af- ter he suffered a heart attack following his discovery of Sutherlands body. index.html2.html3.html4.html5.html6.html7.html8.html9.html10.html11.html12.html13.html14.html15.html16.html17.html18.html19.html20.html21.html22.html23.html