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Cllr Michael Fahy leaving Loughrea courthouse yesterday. The charges on which he was convicted involved misappropriating council funding to have fencing erected on his farm.

Photograph: Joe O'Shaughnessy

Procter and Gamble to detail staff cuts at Nenagh
Multinational consumer products group Procter and Gamble is preparing to make a significant number of its 500 staff redundant at its cosmetics plant in Nenagh, Co Tipperary.

New Garda agency has concerns over force's training
A new agency appointed by the Government to advise on the development of the Garda has expressed serious concern for the safety of gardaí tackling siege situations and a growing gun culture.
Former White House official found guilty in CIA leak case
A former top White House aide has been convicted of perjury and obstructing justice in a trial that highlighted the Bush administration's use of classified information to discredit critics of the war in Iraq.

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Ireland

Paisley should have the numbers to do deal
You wouldn't sense it and you wouldn't hear it out on the streets - although you'd see it with the posters - but today's Assembly elections are big, critical and vital in terms of the future of Northern Ireland as a locally, politically governable state. p
New law closes 'child soliciting' loophole
Emergency legislation to ensure that adults can be prosecuted for soliciting sexual acts from children was passed by the Dáil last night following the Labour Party's highlighting of a loophole last week. p
RTÉ and broadcasting watchdog differ over Trócaire ad
The Broadcasting Commission of Ireland (BCI) and RTÉ have differed in their interpretation of legislation governing the broadcasting of a Trócaire advertisement with a perceived political end. p
Bishop has 'no difficulty' with civil divorce
A prominent Catholic bishop said yesterday he had no difficulty with the State providing civil divorce for couples whose marriages break down. p
O'Brien snr aware of claim Lowry was paid for licence
Denis O'Brien snr said he was well aware of the suggestion that Michael Lowry may have been paid for the State's second mobile phone licence. p
Children not left vulnerable - McDowell
Dail Report: Minister for Justice Michael McDowell rejected claims that a loophole in the law had left children vulnerable to sexual predators. p
Senior officer to oversee implementation
Garda Commissioner Noel Conroy has appointed a senior officer to oversee the implementation of 84 recommendations contained in the Garda Inspectorate's first full report. p
Bus Éireann pleads guilty over fatal crash
Bus Éireann has pleaded guilty to two charges arising from the school bus crash at Kentstown, Co Meath almost two years ago which claimed the lives of five girls. p
New standards for mental services
A set of standards which all mental health services ill have to meet in coming years was published yesterday. p
Minister says no to fees despite plan urging more college places
The Minister for Education, Mary Hanafin, has insisted the reintroduction of college fees remains off the agenda, despite a new skills report that proposes much wider participation at third level. p

Finance

Eircom move to aid broadband switchers
Eircom has moved to facilitate broadband customers who want to switch providers using its "local loop". Executive chairman Pierre Danon said the move would bring the business of some 390,000 broadband customers into "play" in the market between broadband operators. p
CRH profits increase 25% to €1.6bn in 2006
Profits at building materials giant CRH grew 25 per cent to €1.6 billion last year, the group said yesterday as chief executive Liam O'Mahony signalled that the group planned to hand back a greater share of its profits in dividend payments to shareholders from this year. p
AIB upbeat as earnings for 2006 grow 25%
AIB reported a better than expected 25 per cent increase in earnings last year, but warned that growth this year would be lower. p

World

'Scooter' verdict reopens debate on case for war
US: The conviction of a former White House aide is a blow both to his former boss, Dick Cheney, and to George Bush, writes Denis Staunton in Washington p
Suicide bombers kill 115 Shia pilgrims in Iraq attack
IRAQ: Insurgents killed 149 Shia pilgrims heading for the holy Iraqi city of Kerbala yesterday, including 115 when two suicide bombers blew themselves up in one of the deadliest attacks of the war. p
Levy claims he is a victim of anti-Semitism
BRITAIN: Police in the cash-for-honours inquiry are examining details of meetings attended by Lord Levy, the British Labour Party's chief fundraiser, at which the question of political honours may have been discussed. p

Sport

O'Sullivan does not fix what's not broken
RUGBY/Six Nations: As selection meetings go, Eddie O'Sullivan and co wouldn't have had time to burn a match, much less the midnight oil, given the starting XV had emerged unscathed and been well rested after perhaps the most complete all-round performance of O'Sullivan's reign and in the most memorable of pressure-cooker occasions. "Same again? Okay. Pass the sugar," was probably the gist of it. p
Liverpool eliminate Barca
SOCCER Liverpool 0 Barcelona 1 (Agg 2-2)/Liverpool win on away goals rule: This was a fixture of such stature that it was perhaps natural that nerves should have shrieked all around Anfield. p
Sherlock back in for Dublin
GAA: Ciarán Whelan and Jason Sherlock are both back in the Dublin team for Saturday's crunch National Football League tie against Cork. With only one win from the previous three games, Dublin need the victory to keep alive any hopes of reaching the play-offs and manager Paul Caffrey has reacted accordingly with some sweeping changes. p