ireland.com - The Irish Times

All seven victims in murder inquiry, says PSNI
The PSNI was last night refusing to comment on continuing speculation that Arthur McElhill is the chief suspect for Tuesday morning's fire that claimed his life, and that of his partner and five young children. p

West Dublin gang targeted after gardai confronted in armed raid
A west Dublin criminal gang is believed to have been behind a raid on a hotel in Co Kildare early yesterday in which two unarmed gardaí were confronted by an armed gang. p

Rise in numbers driving to work, CSO finds
More people are driving to work in cars while the proportion of people using the bus is falling, census figures show. p

Other Stories

Key social issues a priority - Cullen
Minister for Social and Family Affairs Martin Cullen has warned anti-poverty campaigners that the Government will have to prioritise key social issues rather than trying to tackle all of society's problems at once. p
Commuting in Ireland
The numbers p
RTÉ's grip on top 10 loosens as second Today FM show makes list
RTÉ's grip on the top 10 most popular radio programmes has loosened further with Today FM nudging its second show on to the list. p
Dignity and tears as bodies of five children and parents removed
On a bitterly cold, damp night in Omagh last night the remains of the seven members of the McElhill family were finally recovered from the charred wreckage of their home in Lammy Crescent. p
Aer Lingus and Siptu to meet State mediator
Management and union representatives at Aer Lingus are to meet the National Implementation Body (NIB) today in a bid to avert a dispute which threatens to cause severe disruption to flights from next week. p
Call on HSE to improve management of cleaning
The managing director of a leading hospital contract cleaning company has called on the Health Service Executive (HSE) to significantly change the way it manages hospital cleaning. p
Dublin Bus due to meet unions at Labour Court
Dublin Bus and unions representing striking drivers are to meet at a special session of the Labour Court tomorrow to try to resolve the dispute that has disrupted bus services across a large part of Dublin. p
Dún Laoghaire marina plan aims for 1,700 berths
A plan to treble the number of marina berths in Dún Laoghaire harbour, making it one of the largest marinas in Europe, is to be announced by the harbour company in the coming days. p
Martin 'shocked' over Gilmartin six-figure charge
Mahon tribunal: Last June, Mr Gilmartin alleged in evidence that Mr O'Callaghan had told him he paid Mr Martin a six-figure sum. The claim was widely covered in the media, however Mr Gilmartin withdrew it four days later, saying he had intended to say a five-figure sum. p
Garda watchdog to investigate death
The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) has started an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of a 22-year-old man who became unwell while being arrested by gardaí during a drugs search. He subsequently died in hospital. p
Board cannot suspend rogue auctioneers
A new code of practice for estate agents and auctioneers provides for complaints from the public to be investigated by a disciplinary board. p
Murder victim's partner to get claim
The Eagle Star insurance company has offered to make an advance payment on a claim to a murder victim's partner who had been facing the prospect of having her home repossessed. p
Dr Brady calls for end to sport link with drink ads
The Catholic Primate Archbishop Seán Brady has said there must be an end to the link between sport and advertising alcohol, just as had occurred with sport and advertising tobacco. p
Garda, marshals out in record numbers
Gardaí have been gearing up for one of the biggest traffic policing operations in the history of the force. p
Lenihan queries sovereignty role
The "obsession" with questions of national sovereignty among European Union member states has hindered moves towards effective management of migration and must be overcome, according to Minister of State for integration Conor Lenihan. p
State body lost €700,000 due to lapse in controls
The State body responsible for school attendance matters forfeited close to €700,00 because of lapses in internal controls, according to a special report from the Comptroller and Auditor General published yesterday. p
Family worry at inquiry into 'spy' murder
The family of former senior Sinn Féin member Denis Donaldson has expressed serious concerns over the Garda investigation into his murder. p
Ice work as council saves rink
Dublin City Council can come in from the cold - Smithfield on Ice is back. p
Conference told of need to reunite migrant families
Migrant workers and refugees are suffering the heartache of being denied the right to live with their children, partners or spouses due to major inadequacies in Irish immigration policy and administration, a conference was told yesterday. p
Dr Hugh Gibbons dies, aged 91
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has expressed his sadness at the death of the former Fianna Fáil TD and All-Ireland football winner for Roscommon, Dr Hugh Gibbons, who died on Tuesday evening at the age of 91. p
Chad will support deployment of EU force, says Ahern
Chadian government officials have told Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern that they will co-operate fully with the forthcoming EU deployment to Chad's restive eastern region, saying they believe the troops will help stabilise the area. p
EU proposes to boost competition for phone services
Fixed and mobile telephone subscribers will be able to change operators within one working day and access freephone numbers from abroad under EU proposals to create a single market in telecommunications. p
Shell may retain road built without permission
An Bord Pleanála has permitted Shell E&P Ireland to retain a temporary road which had been built initially without authorisation at the landfall for the Corrib gas pipeline. p
Harsh words for RTÉ as licence ad translation goes awry
For the national broadcaster, it was a move into new territory - Polish and Chinese being spoken to a multicultural audience in a prime time TV slot. Or was it? p
Compassionate bail refused to teen on attack charges
Four teenagers alleged to have been involved in a Belfast greengrocer's murder ran off shouting and jeering as the victim lay dying in the street, it has been claimed in the High Court in Belfast. p
Nurses' union calls for universal health insurance
The Irish Nurses' Organisation (INO) has called for the introduction of universal health insurance and a single waiting list for treatment for all patients in its pre-budget submission. p
Asylum-seeking teens say they feel abandoned
Separated adolescents caught up in the Irish asylum process do not have a secure base and are in a kind of "limbo", a psychological conference was told yesterday, writes Anne Lucey in Killarney. p
Concern over cancer risk-assessment funding
Families with a history of cancer are being exposed because of the underfunding of cancer risk-assessment clinics, a conference was told yesterday. p
Mexican envoy says curbing drug demand crucial
Ireland can learn from Mexico in its ongoing battle against drug trafficking, according to the Mexican ambassador. p
In short
A round-up of today's other stories in brief p

In the Courts

Man (23) charged with murder of woman
A Laois man has been charged with the murder of Ciara Ní Chathmhaoil in Carlow last Monday. p
Solicitors claim they were libelled by RTÉ
Two solicitors have sued RTÉ for damages for alleged libel in an RTÉ Prime Time programme about bogus and exaggerated compensation claims. They contend that during the programme, their practice's letterhead was visible. p
Law Society takes case against unnamed solicitor
The Law Society has initiated court proceedings against a solicitor who has given an undertaking not to practise and who has surrendered his chequebooks. The proceedings were briefly before the High Court yesterday but the solicitor was not named. p
Case of boy disabled at birth finishes
A marathon action for damages for alleged negligence in the circumstances of the birth of a seriously mentally and physically disabled five-year-old boy at the National Maternity Hospital in Dublin has concluded at the High Court after 54 days with legal costs estimated at €4 million. p
Forensic scientist casts doubt on evidence
A British forensic pathologist has described as "unsafe" evidence given by the former State pathologist Prof John Harbison at the trial of a Co Galway man who was convicted of the murder of an elderly woman over 25 years ago. p
Court orders extradition of Irishman to UK
The Supreme Court has made an order for the extradition of an Irishman wanted in the UK on charges of allegedly indecently assaulting his then nine-year-old granddaughter. p
Court told garda feared removal over hearing loss
A member of the Garda Dogs Unit who is suing for damages for alleged hearing problems because of the dogs' "constant barking", told the High Court yesterday he sought legal advice after a Garda surgeon found significant damage to both his ears and he feared he might be removed from his position as a dog handler. p
In short
A round-up of today's other stories in brief p

Fitzgerald murder trial

Limerick man gets life term for murder
A man has been given a life sentence for the murder of a Limerick bouncer by a jury at the Central Criminal Court. p
Doubts about reliability of witness were not dispelled
Analysis: The jury in the Brian Fitzgerald murder trial clearly took to heart the judges warning about uncorroborated accomplice evidence, writes Carol Coulter , Legal Affairs Editor p
Cruel drug gang that traded in killing and torture
Background: The men convicted of the murder of Brian Fitzgerald are members of what is arguably Ireland's most dangerous criminal gang, writes Conor Lally , Crime Correspondent p
Brian Fitzgerald murder
Profiles by Conor Lally p

In the Dáil

Cowen denies bid to intimidate Mahon inquiry
Tánaiste Brian Cowen rejected Opposition claims that the Government intended introducing legislation to intimidate the Mahon tribunal. p
Regan asks if statement is bid to target 'Irish Times'
Seanad report: Fine Gael spokesman on justice Eugene Regan asked if a statement in a Government briefing document about the Tribunals of Inquiry Bill amounted to an attempt to target The Irish Times and an attempt at some form of retaliation against it. p
Electricity supplies may be tight this winter, Ryan warns
Electricity supplies could be "tight" this winter and everyone must be careful in the use of energy to ensure supply meets demand, Minister for Energy Eamon Ryan has warned. p
Call for charity permits update
Dublin North FF TD Michael Kennedy called for the extensive use of permits for those involved in collecting for charities. p
Alleged plots and maths lessons all part of the life of Brian
Dáil Sketch: Sinister Government plots, maths lessons for economists, and passionate demands to press the nuclear debate button and "get it out of the way" - the Dáil's a quare place with some potent stuff. p

Regional News

Report calls for plans for forest biodiversity
All non-urban local authorities should be required to prepare forestry strategies and compile countrywide habitat surveys and biodiversity plans, a major new report has recommended. p
Concern over gas terminal's effects on estuary
Concerns are being raised about the effects of the country's first ever liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal on the environment of the Shannon estuary and its dolphin population in particular. p
Iarnród Éireann accused of damaging Wicklow wetlands
Iarnród Éireann has been accused of damaging The Murrough wetland on the Co Wicklow coast by erecting a fence topped by barbed wire along the seaward side of the Dublin-Rosslare railway line. p
In short
A round-up of today's other stories in brief p

ScienceWeek

Audience hears of poteen's hidden benefits
A little bit of poteen is good for what ails you, but not, unfortunately, if you drink it. It is a powerful disinfectant and can be used in a poultice, but don't expect it to cure colds. p
Science Week
What's on today and tomorrow p

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