ireland.com - The Irish Times

Three found dead in fire-damaged house
Three people, a man, a woman and a four-year-old child were discovered dead in a fire-damaged house some four miles from Ardfert, Co Kerry yesterday. p

McDowell to propose establishing press council
An independent press council protected by law will be proposed by the Minister for Justice in his forthcoming legislation reforming the defamation law. This would have broadly similar status as that enjoyed by An Taisce, he said. "The same kind of recognition could be put in place without me creating it [the press council]." p

O'Leary accused of trying to bully Ahern
The Taoiseach has accused Mr Michael O'Leary of trying to bully him while Mr O'Leary has responded with further abuse as the row over the planned break-up of Aer Rianta continues without resolution. p

Other Stories

Household debt growth near peak - economist
One sixth of Irish adults view their debt levels as a heavy burden on their household finances, according to a survey of consumer perceptions of debt. p
Move to impeach may lead to court
The proposal to impeach Judge Brian Curtin may yet end up in court following the receipt of three letters from the judge yesterday. p
Academic hails 'feminine genius' at Trinity lecture
Women were able to challenge the socio-historical conditions of their identity and to that extent they were "feminine geniuses", Prof Julia Kristeva of Sorbonne University, Paris, said at a lecture in Trinity College Dublin last night. p
Wind farm plan rejected over fears for bird species
An Bord Pleanála has overturned planning permission for a wind farm in Co Cork in an area earmarked for Special Protected Area status for the hen harrier. p
Scientists to lobby UN delegates for a limited cloning ban
The Government has said it is committed to an outright international ban on cloning, despite a new campaign by an international group of eminent scientists to limit the ban to reproductive cloning. p
Board to prompt fall in insurance costs
Insurance costs could fall by as much as 40 per cent as a result of the bringing into operation of the Personal Injuries Assessment Board and other measures, according to the Tánaiste. p
Smoking rates 20% higher among poor
Smoking rates among the poor are up to 20 per cent higher than among the better off, the Irish Cancer Society has said. p
Council to monitor employees' Internet and phone use
Dublin City Council will introduce a powerful new computer system capable of monitoring all employee e-mails, Internet use and phone conversations shortly. p
Driver testing and standards body planned
The proposed driver testing and standards authority announced by the Minister for Transport yesterday is not likely to be agreed in its present form, according to the civil service unions involved. p
New authority to tackle driving test waiting list
The proposed Driver Testing and Standards Authority is unlikely to be dealing with the backlog of driving test applicants as soon as the Minister hopes, writes Tim O'Brien p
Taoiseach identifies with Joyce's talent for constructing Dublin
Two prominent Dubliners last night modestly declined to claim any expertise in the work of the city's most famous writer. p
Some prison officers on target to earn over €120,000 this year
Some of the State's prison officers are set to earn around €120,000 in salary, overtime and allowances this year, new figures have shown. This is despite a drive within the prison service to halve the €64 million annual prison overtime spending this year. p
Fire put out at TCD pharmacy department
Members of Dublin Fire Brigade fought a blaze at the pharmacy department of Trinity College Dublin yesterday evening. p
Ex-mayor of Limerick assaulted
A former mayor of Limerick was slashed with a knife outside his home at the weekend. p

Elections2004

Labouring against diehards and cynics
Campaign trail Labour's candidates in Dublin are as different as chalk and cheese, but share a taste for trying to turn around disillusioned voters, writes Róisín Ingle p
Head to head: Labour Party candidates
Bacik v De Rossa p
Beverley's helping hand for FF candidates in Mayo
Flynn joins the canvass The Mayo TD Ms Beverley Flynn has canvassed in recent days for Fianna Fáil local election candidates despite being expelled from membership of the party. p
Citizenship referendum fuelling racism, say doctors
Referendum: No campaign The citizenship referendum will give encouragement to those who are racist, a doctor and senator said yesterday in Dublin. p
Justice link removed from website
Referendum The Referendum Commission is to change its website this morning, following a complaint from the Labour Party that it encouraged people to view partisan information in favour of the citizenship referendum. p
Breastfeeding ad now said to muddy waters on referendum
The controversial advertisement to encourage voting in the EU elections, which features a woman baring a nipple, came under fire again last night when concerns were expressed that it may cause confusion between the referendum on citizenship and the European elections. p
Martin says opponents distorting the facts
Referendum: Yes campaign The Minister for Health and Children, Mr Micheál Martin, launched the Government's case for a Yes vote in the citizenship referendum yesterday. p
Two candidates have same name, but one doesn't want any votes
Local elections Voters in Longford will face the choice of electing one of two candidates with the same name, following a prank by a local architect. p
Opinions differ on practice of co-opting family
End of the dual mandate Many TDs and senators barred from standing in the local elections are being replaced by relative. Marie O'Halloran spoke to some of them p
No shortage of emotive issues
Council profile: Galway Long before the State's largest banks became embroiled in controversy, one of them provided some ideal pre-election material for aspiring local politicians in Co Galway. p
Repentant PDs are forced to retreat from St Stephen's Green
It may seem like there's no escape from elections in Dublin, but confirmation that St Stephen's Green is a haven for more than ducks was provided yesterday when the Progressive Democrats had their posters removed from its vicinity. p
'Colombia Three' offer criticised
The Taoiseach's efforts to free the three Irish republicans jailed in Colombia have been criticised by Fine Gael leader Mr Enda Kenny. p
Equal rights for large Russian community is key issue for Latvian left
Country profile: Latvia The battle for Latvia's nine seats in the European Parliament tracks the fault lines that riddle a society still grappling with the legacy of Soviet rule. p
Latvia: by the numbers
Facts about Latvia p

In the North

Murphy studies lessons of South Africa
The Northern Secretary has begun a fact-finding trip to South Africa to discuss that country's Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the lessons it holds for Northern Ireland. p
Loyalists linked to gun attack on house
A 29-year-old woman and her seven-year-old daughter escaped injury when four shots were fired into the living-room of their home at Bond Street in the Waterside area of Derry just before midnight yesterday. p

Regional News

Pupils at centre of sex assault inquiry
Gardaí are to interview Leaving Cert pupils at a mixed north Kerry secondary school following an alleged sexual assault of a student at a party after the school's annual graduation Mass. p
Rural Irish see a bright future, EU study shows
People in rural Ireland are more optimistic about the future than many of their EU rural counterparts, according to a new survey. p
Vandals ram schools with stolen digger
Classrooms at two national schools in Co Carlow were severely damaged on Saturday night when a digger from a nearby building site was used to ram them, knocking down walls and damaging windows and the schools' roofs. p
Coast Guard staff launch petition over closure plan
Staff at the Irish Coast Guard's control centre in Dublin have launched a petition to halt its closure under the Government's decentralisation programme. p
Warning over cuts to NI rail network
Any attempts to close part of the "non-core" section of Northern Ireland's railway network, including the stretch from Ballymena, Co Antrim, to Derry, would have a detrimental effect on the regional development of the north-west, a Donegal senator has warned. p
Centre for young mothers faces funds crisis
The future of a Galway project which supports young mothers to stay in or return to education is in jeopardy due to a funding crisis. p
'Jeanie Johnston' transatlantic voyage is called off
The Jeanie Johnston replica famine ship will not now attempt a transatlantic voyage this year, it has been confirmed. Instead, the ship will sail around Ireland. p

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