Saturday, April 12, 2008

Former president Patrick Hillery dies at 84
12:07 Former president Dr Patrick Hillery died today at the age of 84 following a short illness. Dr Hillery, originally from Co Clare, served two seven-year terms as President of Ireland from 1976 to 1990. His long and distinguished career in public life began in 1951 when he was elected alongside Éamon de Valera as a Fianna Fáil TD for Clare. He held a number of ministerial posts (Education, Labour and Foreign Affairs) prior to becoming Ireland's first EEC Commissioner in 1973. President Mary McAleese said she had learned of his death "with deepest sadness".

President, Taoiseach lead tributes to Hillery
19:33 President Mary McAleese and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern led tributes today to former president Dr Patrick Hillery, who has died aged 84.
Gormley hopes tribunals will 'root out all corruption'
20:33 Green Party leader John Gormley said tonight it was his party’s “fervent hope” that all the tribunals of inquiry will “root out forensically every last morsel of corruption from Irish political life.
Southern Africa nations begin Zimbabwe summit
18:26 Southern African nations began an emergency summit on Zimbabwe's election deadlock today but South Africa's Thabo Mbeki said there was no crisis.
Cooney to be next GAA President
16:50 Christy Cooney is to become the next President of the GAA after delegates at Congress 2008 in Sligo gave him their vote ahead of Liam O'Neill and Sean Fogarty.