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A Defence Forces' convoy heading towards Shannon Airport. Some 4,000 gardai and 2,000 troops were deployed around the airport and at Dromoland Castle last night for Mr Bush's visit.

Photograph: Kieran Clancy/PicSure

McCreevy defends low tax as key to economic success
The Minister for Finance has rounded on backbench and Cabinet critics of his economic policies with a trenchant defence of low taxes as the engine of the Republic's economic prosperity, writes John McManus

Bush claims most of Europe backed him on Iraq
President Bush will arrive in Co Clare this evening for a major EU/US Summit meeting as efforts to repair the damaged transatlantic relationship continue to be overshadowed by violence in Iraq. Mark Brennock , Chief Political Correspondent, reports
System failures highlighted in Cavan girl's death
A report on how a Cavan girl died 36 hours after being sent home from hospital has blamed system inadequacies for the staff's failure to identify and treat her life-threatening condition, writes Eithne Donnellan , Health Correspondent, in Kells

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Finance

Fraud inquiry at Dublin credit union
Firhouse Credit Union has told its members that it has an unexplained cash shortage of €678,096 and bad debts totalling €3.6 million. In its annual report, the credit union said the cash shortage was a result of a breakdown in "internal control systems". p
Greencore investors shrug off worries over sugar reform
Shares in Greencore closed just one cent lower yesterday as investors shrugged off worries about the impact of EU sugar reform on the company's business. p
Commission says flouted budget rules are too strict
The European Union's much-flouted budget rules are too strict, the European Commission acknowledged yesterday, suggesting the scope of a crucial get-out clause could be widened to introduce more flexibility. p

Ireland

City council blames Luas test run for Dublin traffic congestion
Dublin City Council has backed Dublin Bus and blamed Luas for breaching agreed protocols and causing last Tuesday morning's unusually bad traffic congestion in Dublin City Centre. p
FG plan to register cohabiting couples
Fine Gael has pledged to introduce in government a civil registration system for cohabiting couples of the same or opposite sex, giving them most of the legal rights now available only to married couples. p
Book reveals murderer was abuse victim
One of the victims of a paedophile priest unmasked by the Bishop of Killaloe, Dr Willie Walsh, last weekend, was triple murderer Brendan O'Donnell, a new book is to reveal. p
Post-polio sufferers denied medical benefits
Sufferers of a debilitating illness caused by the late effects of polio were being denied medical cards and inclusion on the long-term illness scheme, an Oireachtas committee was told yesterday. p
Little evidence of sexual abuse in institutions
The secretary general at the Department of Education and Science, Mr John Dennehy, has said there was no significant evidence of sexual abuse at the State's residential institutions in files at the Department. p
Huge security operation swings into action
Security operation: Thousands of gardaí and members of the Defence Forces arrived in the Shannon area yesterday to take up duty as part of the huge security operation marking the visit of President Bush. p
20% increase in complaints to Equality Tribunal
Complaints about discrimination in employment were up last year, while those relating to services were down, according to the annual report of the Equality Tribunal. p
Council accused of not caring about deaf woman's safety
A group working with deaf people has strongly criticised a local authority for failing to provide secure accommodation for a profoundly deaf woman with no speech ability after she was attacked by an intruder who tried to sexually assault her. p
DPP considers charges over fatal bus crash
The DPP is expected to decide before November whether to charge anyone over the bus crash this year at Wellington Quay, Dublin, which killed five people, an inquest into the deaths heard yesterday. p

World

100 killed in Iraq raids linked to al-Qaeda
IRAQ: A group with links to al-Qaeda claimed responsibility for co-ordinated attacks in five Iraqi cities yesterday which resulted in the deaths of about 100 people, with over 320 injured. p
Release of British soldiers eases tensions with Iran
IRAQ: Eight British servicemen were freed yesterday after three nights in the hands of Iranian Revolutionary Guards, ending a diplomatic wrangle that had threatened to inflame tensions over Britain's presence in Iraq. p
Bombs not expected to disrupt Nato summit
TURKEY: A bomb on a crowded Istanbul bus killed three people yesterday, days before President George Bush visits Turkey and a Nato summit of heads of state convenes in the city. p

Sport

Lights go out in Lisbon
Portugal 2 England 2 After extra time. Portugal win 6-5 on penalties Lisbon's Stadium of Light became England's heart of darkness last night with Sven Goran Eriksson's men suffering a second night of heartbreak at the home of Benfica as Portugal marched on to the semi-finals of this tournament after a night of almost relentless drama that ended with goalkeeper Ricardo clinching victory for locals in a penalty shoot out. p
Germany the 'laughing stock' after defeat
Germans donned the sackcloth and just a handful of fans turned out at Frankfurt airport yesterday to welcome the German soccer team turned national disgrace. p
Browne back to bolster Waterford
Gaelic Games Team news Tony Browne is back in the Waterford team for Sunday's Munster hurling final in Thurles. The experienced Mount Sion player was unable to start in the semi-final win over Tipperary because of a hamstring injury, but with time that has sufficiently recovered. Browne takes his place at left-half back for the eagerly-awaited clash with champions Cork. p
Calm after the storm
Rugby Under-21 World Cup final countdown It was surprising to note the quiet satisfaction that quickly superseded what had been in the immediate aftermath of Ireland's 26-13 victory over Australia in the under-21 World Cup semi-final at Hughenden on Wednesday, a raucous celebration on the sodden turf. p