METRO Tuesday, October 27, 2009 D METRODigest A MAN who stole just one shoe from a store in Belgium immediately became the main suspect, because he is an amputee. A store attendant realised only one shoe was missing from the store in Maldegem, and alerted authorities. Police quickly found the man, following his rather unique description the shoe was also recovered. The suspect, a Russian asylum seeker, faces charges and was handed over to judicial authorities. DETECTIVES were last night investigating the suspicious death of a 92-year-old man in his rural home. James Mulqueens body was discovered in Kilcolman, Co Limerick, last week. Mr Mulqueen was initially thought to have passed away from natural causes, but a post-mortem examination prompted garda to look into the circumstances surrounding his death. Garda were called to the address in Ballymakery by the mans neighbour at around 11am on October 23. It is understood Mr Mulqueen had lived alone in the house. Mans death now thought suspicious THE head of the Irish Catholic Church has written to Finance Minister Brian Lenihan (pictured), appealing for no cut to overseas aid as the Government tries to save 4billion. Irelands target of 0.7 per cent of gross national product on aid by 2012 has already been cut. Cardinal Sen Brady said more cuts would have a marginal impact on our own problems while having a devastating impact on the lives of some of the worlds poorest people. Cardinal appeal not to cut aid THE Archbishop of Tuam, Dr Michael Neary, has said those involved in encouraging people to believe there was to be an apparition at Knock Shrine risked misleading Gods people and undermining faith. The apparition in Knock in 1879 was neither sought nor expected by humble, honest people who were its astonished witnesses, Dr Neary said, adding it would be best served by maintaining its authentic identity. Thousands gathered at the shrine on October 11 after clairvoyant Joe Coleman predicted an apparition there. Knock prediction criticised by bishop THE Jurys Inn Group has cut 16.3million off its loan interest bill through a refinancing deal, according to the budget hotel chains latest accounts. Owners Vesway paid 45.5million in interest last year, leaving it with a pre-tax loss of 23.5million. However, the firm had an operating surplus of 22.3million last year, despite difficult conditions, the figures showed. And by borrowing an extra 33million and renegotiating the repayment date for existing debt from 2012 to 2014, it cut an estimated 16.3million off its interest bill. Jurys Inns cut 16m off interest bill Speed demon: A giant devil-like robot tries to lift a car at the finale of the Virginia pumpkin festival. Thousands turned out for the annual festival in Co Cavan which took place at the weekend Picture: PA Pros, amateurs and young lovers Need a hand? PJ Carroll from Co Laois got a bit of help from some willing medical personnel to get over the finish line Pictures: Sportsfile/PA Day of pain and joy on streets of DublinIT WAS a day of pain, gain, charity and celebration for some as a run- ner in the Dublin City Marathon proposed to his girlfriend after they both crossed the finish line. William Fry managed to get down on one knee to ask for the ultimate in endurance: his fiance Rachel Mastersons hand in marriage. She said yes and the elated couple, from Lincolnshire in the UK, headed off for some deserved drinks. There were also emotional scenes at the annual event as family and friends of a well-known publican who died in a car crash each ran a mile in his honour. Businessman Dave Kelly was killed in a road accident near Moy- cullen, Co Galway, on October 3. The 39-year-old distance runner and diabetic had entered the race, and organisers gave friends, family and colleagues special permission to get his number 840 across the line. His widow, Joan, joined hands with their three children Ruth, 11, Alice, nine, and Gene, six to com- plete the last leg of the relay. Most of us thought it was a ri- diculous idea because my husband would think wed only be clogging it up for other runners, Mrs Kelly said with a smile. Dave was a gentle, lovely, family man who made friends with every- one he met. There was a waiting list for people running... we had subs on every mile, she added. The group raised an estimated 10,000 for the Galway Diabetes Parent Support Group. The winner of the event, Ethiopi- an Feyisa Lilesa, fought off more than 12,000 other runners, coming in first in a time of two hours, nine minutes and 12 seconds just five seconds off the course record. The athlete, running his first mar- athon, admitted it had been a chal- lenging win. Im very happy and surprised. It was very tough with the wind, he added. Ukrainian Kateryna Stetsenko took the top spot in the womens event, crossing the line in 2:32:45. Irish-based athletes also fared well, with Moldovan-born Sergiu Ciobanu and Annette Kealy taking the top national positions in the mens and womens section. by roNaN mcdaid index.html2.html3.html4.html5.html6.html7.html8.html9.html10.html11.html12.html13.html14.html15.html16.html17.html18.html19.html20.html21.html22.html23.html