ireland.com - The Irish Times

Alcohol consumption increases 17%
Alcohol consumption in Ireland went up by 17 per cent between 1995 and 2006. And in the period 1995-2004 alcohol-related deaths doubled to 1,775, figures to be released today show. p

Halloween goes with bang
Halloween is traditionally one of the busiest nights for the emergency services, and last night Dublin's fire and ambulance service had to deal with three times as many call-outs as they would on an ordinary week night. p

Adams pays tribute to parents of murdered schoolboy
Two of the most devastating events of the Troubles were revisited in London's financial district last night when Gerry Adams apologised for the Warrington bombing at an event in Canary Wharf. p

Other Stories

Doubling in hospital bed days to treat illness linked to alcohol
In 2004, people with alcohol-related illness used 117,373 bed days in hospital, more than double the figure of 55,805 bed days in 1995, according to findings of the Health Research Board (HRB) published today . p
Most public drinking fines not paid
Three-quarters of those fined for illegally drinking in public places in Dublin city last year failed to pay the fine, at a loss of more than €30,000 to Dublin City Council. p
38,000 apply for driving test since rule change proposal
Some 38,000 people have applied to do their driving test since Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey launched his abortive bid to impose early curbs on provisional licence holders. p
Green Senators absent for pension Bill vote
Both of the Green Party's Senators failed to turn up for a vote in the Seanad yesterday on the Bill containing a provision that will give former Fianna Fáil minister Michael Woods a back payment of €75,000 on his ministerial pension. p
Fun and communication skills link Irish with Palestinian children
It had taken three years to bring them together, but all signs yesterday suggested it was time well spent, as 20 children from Moyross, Co Limerick, and the Palestinian West Bank carried on like old friends. p
Witness protection flexibility defended
The Garda Commissioner has objected to calls for the rules governing the witness protection system to be set down in legislation, arguing that they needed to operate flexibly. p
Manning attacks rendition record
The head of the Irish Human Rights Commission criticised the Government's attitude to the use of Shannon airport for the rendition of US military prisoners. p
Plan to fine labour law breaches approved
Employers will face fines of up to €250,000 for breaches of labour law, including abuses of migrant workers, under plans from the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Micheál Martin, cleared by the Cabinet yesterday. p
Half of overseas travel to UK, Spain
One-half of all Irish residents travelling abroad in the late spring and early summer months went to the UK or Spain, according to the latest figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO). p
Man's mother asks why garda was not tested at scene
The mother of a young man who died after he was run over by a car driven by an off-duty garda, wants to know why he was not breathalysed at the scene or at a nearby station. p
€52,500 grant for Shackleton base
The Government is to support conservation of an Antarctic base used by Irish explorers Sir Ernest Shackleton and Tom Crean which is under threat from the effects of global warming. p
Daughter tells in video how father abused her
The jury in the trial of a Clare man has viewed video recordings of his eldest daughter telling psychiatrists that he often sexually assaulted her and that she had told her mother. p
€30m children's A&E 'must be built'
An urgent care centre costing €30 million will have to be built in Tallaght to cater for A&E attendances by children on Dublin's southside before the new national children's hospital is opened on the Mater hospital site on the city's northside, according to a new report. p
RKW REPORT
Main points. p
Cancer study warns adults of risks of weight gain
Taking dietary supplements does nothing to protect people from cancer, according to a major new report published yesterday. p
Cancer and Diet
The good news and the bad news.... p
Irishman held by Ghana gang freed
A kidnapped Irishman has been rescued from a failed ransom attempt in Ghana. p
Five youths held after petrol bomb thrown at two gardaí in Bray
A petrol bomb was thrown in the direction of two gardaí who were on patrol in Co Wicklow yesterday. p
In Short
Other stories in brief. p

In the Dáil

Dempsey to stay on if driving test targets 'not met'
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said he will not sack Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey if deadlines on driver testing are not met. p
Ahern says most pay rises 'small enough'
The vast majority of public sector employees who got pay awards got "small enough" rises, according to Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, who acknowledged that he got a "huge increase" following the report by the body which reviews senior public servants' pay levels. p
Bill legalising civil partnership proposed
A scheme for a Bill legalising civil partnerships will be brought forward no later than March 31st next, Minister for Justice Brian Lenihan told the Dáil. p
Bertie's celebrated driving skills give him inside track
Dáil Sketch: Lucky Bertie always lands on his feet. In the unlikely event of him getting the elbow after July of next year, he will not have to join a queue of driving test applicants hoping to cast off the fetters of provisional licence status, writes Miriam Lord . p
Group set up to inquire into Social and Family Affairs leaks
A high-level group has been established to review access to confidential information, following leaks from the Department of Social and Family Affairs, the Dáil was told. p
Change of title for Conor Lenihan to be considered
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern is to consider changing the title of Minister of State for Immigration Conor Lenihan to include integration. p
Ahern urged to call US senator
US senator Ted Kennedy has been waiting "a number of weeks" for the Taoiseach to phone him about a bilateral agreement to benefit illegal Irish immigrants in the US, Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny has claimed. p

In the Courts

O'Reilly appeals wife murder verdict
Convicted murderer Joe O'Reilly has lodged 11 grounds of appeal against his conviction for the murder of his wife Rachel at their home in The Naul, Co Dublin. p
Dublin mangets life term for Charlie Chawke shooting
A Dublin man has been sentenced to life in prison for shooting publican Charlie Chawke during a robbery. p
McBreartys get €3m in their action against State
Donegal publican Frank McBrearty (63) expressed relief and satisfaction in Castlebar, Co Mayo last evening after he and his wife Rosalind had settled a personal action against the State and the Garda Commissioner for €3 million. p
Chief trial witness tells of flashbacks and voices
The chief prosecution witness in the trial of four men accused of shooting a Limerick nightclub doorman has told a jury at the Central Criminal Court that he had flashbacks after the murder and could hear screaming in his head. p
Kerry footballer says his jaw was fractured by punch during game
A single punch to the face left a former Kerry footballer with a fractured jaw and four dislocated teeth during a challenge match on Valentia Island over a year ago, the Circuit Criminal Court heard in Tralee yesterday. p

Mahon Tribunal

Dunlop says O'Callaghan paid £15,500 to Gilbride
Developer Owen O'Callaghan paid former Fianna Fáil councillor Seán Gilbride £15,500 in the months before and after a vital vote on the Quarryvale development in 1992, the Mahon tribunal was told yesterday. p

Regional News

HSE suspends up to 40 electrical staff Executive claims action follows refusal to obey Labour Court
Up to 40 electrical and technical staff have been suspended by the Health Service Executive (HSE)from their duties at acute hospitals in the south and southeast. p
Background to the dispute
The dispute between the HSE and the TEEU has been simmering for some time and has been before the Labour Relations Commission on a number of occasions. p
Delay to incinerator challenge sought
Campaigners opposed to the State's first hazardous waste incinerator want to put their legal challenge to the project on hold until separate proceedings before the European Court of Justice are concluded. p
EC denies Brazilian beef cover-up
The European Commission has denied it is involved in covering up a report on beef production in Brazil as alleged by the Irish Farmers' Association (IFA), which staged a 24-hour sit-in at the commission offices in Dublin. p
Amnesty calls for closure of Guant ánamo Bay
Some 25 shackled and blindfolded "prisoners" were led by armed "guards" through the streets of Galway yesterday as part of an Amnesty International call for the closure of Guantánamo Bay and other US detention centres. p
€250,000 worth of computers stolen
Gardaí in east Cork are continuing to search for a gang who stole up to €250,000 worth of computer equipment from a warehouse early yesterday. p
Parents call for diabetes services
The parents of 270 children with diabetes held a picket at Cork University Hospital (CUH) yesterday to highlight what they claim is a lack of vital local services. p
Fishing vessels set to be salvaged
Salvage of two fishing vessels which sank within five kilometres (three miles) of each other off the southeast coast may take place this weekend, weather permitting. p
In Short
Other stories in brief. p

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