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Minister for Health Mary Harney during a press conference in Farmleigh House, Dublin, last night. She said she had not been aware of the review of ultrasound scans in the Midland Hospital in Portlaoise.

Photograph: Aidan Crawley

Harney 'unaware' of further cancer checks
Minister for Health Mary Harney and chief executive of the Health Service Executive (HSE) Prof Brendan Drumm have said they were unaware until Wednesday of the review of ultrasound scans carried out on women with suspected breast cancer at the Midland Regional Hospital in Portlaoise. A total of 97 women have so far been recalled for further surgical review after doubts emerged about the scans. Martin Wall and Mark Hennessy report.
Ahern gave FF cheque to associate on day of 'dig-out'
Bertie Ahern issued a Fianna Fáil cheque to his associate Des Richardson on the same day Mr Richardson wrote out a cheque for Mr Ahern as part of the Christmas 1993 "dig-out", the Mahon tribunal heard yesterday. Colm Keena and Fiona Gartland report.
AIB error led 15,000 customers to get details of other accounts
A significant error at AIB bank earlier this month led it to send 15,000 notifications to its customers containing the private bank account details of other individuals. A total of 11,000 AIB customers are affected by the move, writes John Downes

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Ireland

Murder inquiry after teenager's body found
Gardaí have begun a murder investigation after the body of a 19-year-old father of one was found on waste ground in a Limerick housing estate yesterday morning. Conor Lally and Kathryn Hayes report. p
EPA issues draft licence for incinerator at Poolbeg
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a draft licence to Dublin City Council to operate its proposed Poolbeg incinerator. p
Mother in breach of abduction convention
The Supreme Court has declared that a mother's decision to keep her three-year-old twin sons in Britain contrary to the wishes of their unmarried father is a breach of the Hague international convention on child abduction because it breaches the rights of custody of the District Court here. p
Libel action halted after newspaper article
A High Court action by RTÉ broadcaster Paddy O'Gorman for libel in a newspaper article was suddenly halted yesterday after complaints that another newspaper article about the first day of the case was prejudicial. p
Authority given initial findings on RTÉ cocaine programme
RTÉ Authority members were yesterday briefed on the circumstances surrounding the broadcasting of the documentary High Society. Ronan McGreevy reports. p
Advice for the seasonal shopper
The National Consumer Agency (NCA) has advised consumers to shop sensibly for Christmas to ensure the festive season remains as trouble-free as possible. Paul Cullen , Consumer Affairs Correspondent, reports. p
Ireland 'bottom of league' in wealth-sharing
Ireland is "bottom of the league" in Europe when it comes to giving workers a share of national wealth, Prof Kathleen Lynch of UCD's Equality Studies Centre told a conference on equality yesterday. p
Goodbye cheques, hello balances
Many Irish farmers are bound to be unhappy with the news that the cheque-in-the-post era will come to an end next year, writes Seán Mac Connell , Agriculture Correspondent p
Ryan gives chilling warning on global warming
Minister for Energy and Natural Resources Eamon Ryan has issued a stark warning of climatic Armageddon unless there is a dramatic reduction in global emissions. Marie O'Halloran reports. p

Finance

Airtricity for sale at potential price of €1bn
Wind energy group Airtricity is up for sale with a potential price tag of €1 billion, just weeks after the company sold its North American division for a similar sum, writes Barry O'Halloran . p
Lending to building sector slows sharply
Lending to the construction sector slowed to its lowest level in four years in September, while property lending growth is at its lowest level in five years, according to the latest statistics from the Central Bank, writes Simon Carswell , Finance Correspondent. p
Sale of 'Sligo Champion' could fetch €15m for its owners
The Sligo Champion newspaper has been put up for sale by the Townsend family. It is understood that the title could fetch up to €15 million for the owners, Niall and Michael Townsend, writes Ciaran Hancock . p
Solicitor takes case against Lynn
A Dublin solicitor has brought High Court proceedings alleging that failures by solicitor Michael Lynn to honour undertakings relating to 10 apartments in Carrick-on-Shannon, Co Leitrim, have left him unable to register ownership of the properties, writes Mary Carolan . p

World

Heathrow expansion creates turbulence
Britain: A coalition of environmentalists, politicians and Londoners accused the British government of betrayal yesterday after it unveiled plans for a third runway at Heathrow airport. p
Musharraf likely to drop army role after judgment
Pakistan: Pakistan's supreme court, stacked with judges friendly to President Pervez Musharraf, yesterday threw out a final challenge to his re-election and paved the way for him to quit as army chief. p
Arab states in a bind over peace conference
Middle East: In the more than seven years since President George Bush took office, Arab states have repeatedly called on the White House to throw itself into Middle East peacemaking. p

Sport

No more Jewell in the FAI's crown
International Soccer : Paul Jewell is out of the running to succeed Steve Staunton as Republic of Ireland manager. The 43-year-old had been considering whether to put his name forward for the job since last week when he met with Johnny Giles to discuss the situation but has apparently decided against it. He said afterwards that he was both "flattered" to be mentioned in connection with the vacancy and "impressed" by what Giles had said to him. p
Shambolic reign ends sadly for McClaren
International Soccer: Steve McClaren grinned almost involuntarily through the shortest tenure of any England manager, though, at the last, he had been reduced to a picture of misery. p
Duffy signals a new direction
Gaelic Games: The appointment of GAA director general-designate Páraic Duffy signals a change in emphasis within the organisation. p