ireland.com - The Irish Times

Woman questioned over shotgun death at cottage
Gardaí in Co Cork were last night continuing to question a 38-year-old woman about the fatal shooting of a 42-year-old father of two at a remote cottage near Millstreet in north Cork on Monday night. p

Murdered pensioner may have known killer
Gardaí investigating the murder of an 80-year-old man in Dublin city centre believe the victim, pensioner Vincent Plunkett, may have brought a man back to his home at Robinson's Court, off Cork Street in the south inner city, late on Sunday and that this man may have killed him. p

Homeless Tralee man dies after being found lying in pool of blood
Gardaí in Co Kerry are examining security camera footage from Tralee town centre in the hope of establishing who assaulted a 50-year-old homeless man, who later died in hospital from his injuries. p

Other Stories

Bill to benefit juries and gardaí
Judges will have the power to send a jury home for the evening rather than keep the jurors in a hotel if they fail to reach a verdict at the end of a criminal trial, under new legislative changes unveiled last night. p
Muslims condemn allegations of Islamic cleric
Muslim representatives in Ireland have condemned comments from an Islamic cleric who said that radicalism was rife among young Muslims living here. p
HSE looks at idea of 'hospital at home' teams
The Health Service Executive (HSE) is considering the introduction of "hospital at home" teams in response to treatment delays at A&E departments. p
Minister wants Garda visibility on lesser roads
Minister for Transport Martin Cullen has said the Government wants the majority of Garda traffic personnel deployed near dangerous black spots rather than on motorways. p
Blackrock rugby club may sell part of grounds
Land worth an estimated €15 million at Blackrock College rugby club in south Dublin could be redeveloped for residential development, The Irish Times has learned. p
Dunphy shows may not all be live
A new hour-long weekly show on RTÉ Radio 1 hosted by Eamon Dunphy is likely to be a mixture of live and pre-recorded programmes when it gets under way in the autumn. p
On Radio 1's dial:
Presenters on their new programmes p
Information sought on kidnapped oil worker
Efforts are continuing at the Irish Embassy in Nigeria and with the Nigerian authorities to seek information about an Irish oil worker who was kidnapped on Sunday only 24 hours after he arrived in the country. p
Dell recalls 4.1m laptop batteries over fire risk
Thousands of Irish customers are affected by the decision of Dell Computers to recall 4.1 million of their laptop computers because of a risk that the batteries could overheat and catch fire. p
Taxi unions meet to discuss dispute
The three main taxi drivers unions are to hold a national meeting of drivers in the National Stadium, Dublin, tonight ahead of a possible escalation of their dispute with taxi regulator Ger Deering. p
Entry to Clinton seminar to start at €750
Entry to a seminar by former US president Bill Clinton in the Burlington Hotel, Dublin, will cost a minimum of €750, according to the organisers of next month's event, Celebrity World Events. p
Concern for internet teenagers
Minister for Education Mary Hanafin has expressed her concern about the "hurt" caused to young people who use online discussion boards but who subsequently find that their private thoughts are open to abuse. p
UCD does not plan to change policy on results
University College Dublin (UCD) has defended its decision not to supply a detailed breakdown of degree results to the State body that oversees the higher education system here. p
Report on Curtin computer ready 'by end of week'
An expert report commissioned by an Oireachtas committee on the computer of Judge Brian Curtin is expected to be completed this week, amid mounting speculation that the judge will be eligible to retire on pension before the Dáil inquiry into his behaviour is completed. p
Staunton offered an apology
A man who threatened Ireland soccer manager Steve Staunton with a replica firearm has asked gardaí to apologise to him on his behalf. p
Sailor reunited with an old sea friend
A lone sailor plucked from the Atlantic almost a year ago was yesterday reunited with the boat he was forced to leave behind. p
Vintage Irish posters go on sale at Christie's
Vintage Irish travel and tourism posters dating from the 1920s are expected to fetch strong prices when they go under the hammer at Christie's auction house in London next month. p
Mountjoy governor challenges public's hunger for punishment
Parnell Summer School: There is no public support for the rehabilitation of prisoners and most people are only interested in prisoners being punished, the governor of Mountjoy Prison, John Lonergan, said yesterday. p
Society failing to teach children about justice
One of society's greatest shortcomings has been its failure to teach children about justice, the Parnell Summer School was told yesterday. p
Irish bridge team's morale restored
Ireland had a reversal of fortune at the Prokom European Bridge Championships in Warsaw yesterday when they beat Greece 16-14 in round six and followed up with a 17-13 win over Israel in round seven. p
In Short
A round-up of today's other news stories in brief p

In the Courts

Judge questions identity of Afghan asylum seekers
A judge has revoked bail for two Afghan asylum seekers after he spotted that they had signed different names on court documents to those which they had given gardaí. p

In the North

IRA dissidents wedded to use of violence
The Real IRA returned to the headlines in recent weeks, writes Dan Keenan, Northern News Editor p
A man of wealth and prestige
Profile: Dr Edward Haughey: Dr Edward Haughey is one of the wealthiest businessmen in Northern Ireland. His fortune, estimated at about £350 million, has been built largely on Norbrook Laboratories, the pharmaceuticals business he established in 1969. p
Plan to combat prescription fraud in North
A new computer system is being introduced in an effort to stop medical prescription fraud in Northern Ireland. p
Changes proposed to taxi system in North
It will soon be possible to hail a taxi on the streets of Belfast without making a booking under new proposals outlined yesterday. p

Regional News

EPA says water quality must be protected
An unacceptable level of polluted waterways and the number of fish kills in rivers require remedial measures if valuable resources are to be protected, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has warned. p
EPA report: water quality
Rivers and streams with seriously polluted stretches in 2003-2005: p
Gardai seize vehicles in bid to stop poaching
Gardaí in co-operation with officials from the Eastern Fisheries Board and local anglers have seized a number of vehicles in the past few days as part of an investigation into poaching of fish from several lakes in the northeast. p
Stock levels of coarse fish diminishing because of theft
Yesterday's developments that took place in the northeast in relation to poaching of fish are part of an ongoing problem that extends across the whole of Ireland, writes Derek Evans , Angling Correspondent p
Investigators find no abnormalities with death-crash plane
An initial inspection into an air crash in which two men died in Co Westmeath in May did not reveal any abnormalities with the aircraft, according to a preliminary report. p
School bus row may lead to legal action
The mother of two Catholic students denied access to a State-funded school bus is planning to issue legal proceedings against the official at the centre of the row if her children are not allowed to use the service. p
County manager calls for rezoning to move Ennis school
Clare county manager Alec Fleming has recommended that councillors rezone 85 acres owned by the diocese of Killaloe for school and housing development on the outskirts of Ennis. p
Mourners told of disbelief at sudden death of Limerick hurler
A Co Limerick rural community came to a standstill yesterday for the funeral of a talented GAA player who died at the weekend from suspected Sudden Adult Death Syndrome. p

August Live

Pilgrims defy the rain as they flock to Knock
Despite heavy rain, an estimated 8,000 people attended afternoon Mass at the basilica in Knock yesterday, feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary to heaven and generally one of the busiest days of the year at the shrine. A further 10-15,000 were expected at Masses there last night. p
The gift of the Blarney - at a price
Daytrippers: Splash around in an adventure park, inhale some history, watch the birds, or just lean back and think of Ireland. The highs and lows of some of our top visitor attractions p
Experiment thrives as master musicians spread their wings
Bantry House is a theatrical place, full of drama and character, commanding views across the waters of Bantry Bay to Whiddy Island and the Caha Mountains. p
Wind-up cockerels lead Borris Fair 'invasion'
"They're a tough crowd here," said Tom Battles, a street trader from Killarney who had travelled to this south county Carlow village hoping to sell wind-up toy chickens imported from China. p
Tourism drive at US festival
Tourism delegations from Clare and the west will promote "the real Ireland" at the Milwaukee Irish Fest, which opens today in the US state of Wisconsin. p
Waterville all abuzz for father and son golf tournament
Round about now, the helicopters are whirring over Waterville, depositing the first of some 85 father-and-son teams for a unique golfing event. p
So many in-laws in close proximity, so few rows
It's A Dad's Life: Adam Brophy on family ties p
SUMMER SHORTS
Holy well drive Water from 25 Irish Holy Wells will help build life-saving projects in Malawi if a unique two-week charity event achieves its aim, writes Niall O'Connor. p

College 2006

Prospects bright for class of 2006
The future looks good for the 50,000-plus students who received their Leaving Cert results today, writes Seán Flynn , Education Editor p
Hanafin urges students to consider hi-tech courses
The Minister for Education, Mary Hanafin has advised Leaving Cert students "to think carefully about choosing courses in the science, engineering and technology sectors'.' p
How to appeal
Unhappy with your grades? If you feel you deserve a higher mark you can appeal, writes Brian Mooney p
Second time lucky: repeating exams
Soem students relate the trials and tribulations of deciding to repeat their exams and how much more confident they now feel about their exams, Writes Grainne Faller p
Results present mixed bag
This year the Leaving Cert results present different trends: higher level students did well but there is concern about standards at ordinary level in some subjects, writes Áine Kerr p
Good grades in "new languages"
Non-nationals secured very good marks in a range of languages offered in the Leaving Cert this year, writes Áine Kerr p
Homing in on finding a place to stay
The rental situation has improved in the past 10 years, partly because of the colleges' own building projects, writes Gráinne Faller p
What to look out for when renting a home
No matter what kind of accommodation you choose, there are certain rules you should follow before deciding on a place to live: p
Studying abroad: the UK option
The Leaving Cert makes its debut in the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) Tariff in the UK this year, writes Áine Kerr p
The sum total of third-level education
The cost of food and socialising can eat heavily into a student's budget, with drinking often outweighing the food budget, reports Louise Holden p
What grants are available?
The special rate of maintenance grant, or top-up grant, for students from disadvantaged backgrounds has been raised by 22.5 per cent to €5,970. The annual income threshold for the top-up grant is up seven per cent to €16,748. p
College is not the only way to go after school
With so much attention surrounding the CAO offers, students could be forgiven for thinking that if they don't get an offer it's the end of the world. The fact of the matter is that there is a wealth of careers accessible outside the CAO, and the range and variety of options available can often be overlooked. p
Riding high in the racing field
Irish success in the horse-racing industry is remarkable considering the size of the population. Jockeys and trainers are becoming household names and the bloodstock industry is going from strength to strength. p
An arresting career choice for new recruit
Ronan Quinn always wanted to be a garda. He decided not to apply initially, opting instead to do a diploma in international hotel management. While working in the hotel industry, he had contemplated going back and training with the Garda Síochána, but, with an age limit of 26 for new recruits, he was too old to apply. p
Increase your options
Further education (FE) courses could provide the best option for you, writes Janet Stafford p
Pyro's technical hitch first time around
Mik Pyro from Republic of Loose retook his Leaving Certificate to get the points needed for arts at UCD. He tells Louise Holden how it went p
A beginner's guide to the CAO process
Confused about the whole CAO process? Relax. Brian Mooney explains how it works and (below) answers your key questions about what to do next p
Deciphering your results and examining your options
Brian Mooney answers your key questions about what to do next p

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