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TJ Farragher (3) on the flooded road at the Neale, near Ballinrobe, Co Mayo, yesterday. Members of familes from the area were taken to safety in a boat after their home was flooded. They were in emergency accommodation last night.

McDowell and Ahern to meet over use of bail
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and Tánaiste Michael McDowell are to meet on Monday amid growing Government concern at the frequency with which bail is being granted by judges to defendants in serious gun and drug-dealing offences. Miriam Donohoe and Barry Roche report
Local flooding as colder weather forecast
The persistent rain that caused serious flooding in some parts of the country yesterday is expected to clear over the weekend and make way for drier, colder weather next week, writes Mark Rodden
VHI to resist any attempt to break up company
Management and staff of the VHI are preparing to strongly resist any attempt to break up the State-owned health insurance company, write Martin Wall and Mark Hennessy

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Ireland

Hospital bug killed patient, inquest hears
A Dublin man contracted MRSA in hospital and died as a result, an inquest has heard. Thomas Murdiff (53), Butterfield Grove, Athboy, Co Meath, died on December 14th, 2004, at the Mater hospital after contracting MRSA. p
Nally says he prays for man he shot dead
As he packed his bags in a Dublin hotel yesterday, Pádraig Nally said he often thinks of John Ward, the man he shot dead more than two years ago, and regularly prays for him. "I think of what happened all the time. It is always on my mind," Mr Nally said at O'Shea's Merchant Hotel. p
Daughter of woman murdered 13 years ago appeals for help to find her mother's killer
The daughter of a woman who was murdered 13 years ago in the midlands has launched an appeal for help to find her mother's killer. p
Hassan pleads guilty to abducting children
The former partner of Latvian woman Baiba Saulite, who was shot dead at her home in Dublin in November, will be sentenced next week at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for the abduction of their children. p
80,000 Irish-made frozen products withdrawn
An estimated 80,000 frozen ready meals prepared by an Irish company have been withdrawn from shops and supermarkets in Ireland and Britain after some were found to be contaminated with glass. p
Graduation of first 36 reservists 'a new chapter' for Garda
The establishment of the Garda Reserve marks the commencement of a new and exciting chapter of policing in the Republic, said Minister for Justice Michael McDowell yesterday as he congratulated the first 36 members of the reserve force to graduate. p
Taoiseach's date with tribunal delayed
The date for the Taoiseach's appearance at the Mahon tribunal, to respond to allegations made by developer Tom Gilmartin about payments in the early 1990s, has been put back, following a hearing before three Supreme Court judges yesterday. p
Big rise in use of cocaine - drug group
An increasing number of drug treatment centres are seeing clients for whom cocaine is the main problem drug, according to the umbrella group Citywide. p
HSE finds syringes in open area of nursing home
Health Service Executive (HSE) officials who visited a nursing home in Co Wicklow in October found that syringes were stored in an open area and fire escape doors on the building's top and middle floors were not locked. p
Son and daughter-in-law deny killing pensioner
The son and daughter-in-law of a pensioner murdered earlier this year near the Border yesterday denied the killing. p

Finance

O'Leary urges take up of Ryanair offer
Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary has again urged Aer Lingus shareholders to accept the €1.4 billion takeover offer for the former State airline, saying that on its own the company has little chance of increasing shareholder value. p
An Post applies for rise in cost of stamps to 55c
An Post has applied to increase the cost of stamps from 48 cent to 55 cent. The State company is seeking permission from communications regulator Comreg to increase the cost of posting a standard letter within Ireland to 55 cent from 48 cent. Barry O'Halloran reports. p
October spend rises at fastest rate in five years
Retail spending in October rose at the fastest rate in five years, boosted by a pick-up in motor trade sales. Caroline Madden reports. p

World

Summit judged a success despite divisive debates
EU Summit Analysis : EU leaders decide stricter conditions will apply to englargement, writes Jamie Smyth in Brussels. p
Rice rules out plea to Iran and Syria over Iraq
Iraq: US secretary of state Condoleezza Rice has rejected a call for Washington to seek help from Iran and Syria on Iraq, warning that the price demanded for such co-operation could be too high. p
Ipswich police looking at number of suspects
Britain: Ipswich police now investigating the murders of five women were "looking at a number of interesting people" last night after confirming that the last body discovered in woodland on Tuesday was that of Annette Nicholls. p

Sport

Humphreys taps into Ulster's potential
Rugby/ Ulster 29 London Irish 13: From just six minutes into this win-or-bust Heineken European Cup match the nature of what the Ulster team were asking of themselves became clear. p
Barca have point to prove
Soccer/ Champions' League: Barcelona and Liverpool, the last two winners of the Champions League, will face each other in the first knock-out round of the this season's competition following the draw made yesterday. p
Harrington puts himself back into contention
World Target Challenge : Padraig Harrington mounted a thrilling comeback in the Target World Challenge last night with a sensational, five-under-par 67 at sun-splashed Sherwood Country Club. p