The Irish Times - Ireland

Biggest trout in 118 years caught in west

Mon, 28 May 2012 09:13:02 GMT

A MONSTER brown trout, weighing nearly 24lbs (11kg), was hauled from the waters of Lough Corrib on Saturday afternoon.

RNLI awards presented

Sun, 27 May 2012 23:47:21 GMT

ANGLING NOTES:THE GREAT HALL in the Royal Hospital, Kilmainham, Dublin, was packed to capacity last weekend at the annual presentation of awards for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) Ireland.

Population of feral cats at 'crisis levels'

Sun, 27 May 2012 23:47:21 GMT

Animal welfare

Long-hidden library with rare collection to open during festival

Sun, 27 May 2012 23:47:21 GMT

It sounds like the Cemetery of Forgotten Books from Carlos Ruiz Zafón’s best-selling Shadow of the Wind but a long-hidden library including works dating back to the 17th century will open its doors for free guided tours during next month’s Immrama Festival of Travel Writing.

Garda appeal after man dies in single-vehicle crash

Sun, 27 May 2012 23:47:21 GMT

Gardaí in Co Kerry have appealed for information after a single vehicle crash in the early hours of Sunday morning that claimed the death of a popular Castleisland taxi driver on the main Castleisland to Scartaglen road.

Radiothon set to raise €400,000 for cancer care

Sun, 27 May 2012 23:47:21 GMT

A three-day long radio marathon or “radiothon” for cancer services in Cork which concluded over the weekend is expected to raise more than €400,000.

Survivor of aircraft crash finishes charity cycle event

Sun, 27 May 2012 23:47:21 GMT

A British father-of-three who was fortunate to escape with his life in an aircraft crash at Cork Airport last year has completed a four-day charity cycle from Belfast to Cork for Children’s Leukaemia Association (Ireland) and Sports Relief in the UK.

Suspended care home owner gets post

Sun, 27 May 2012 23:47:21 GMT

THE OWNER of a Kilkenny nursing home who is accused of reckless abandonment of residents and theft of money from clients has received clearance to practise as a nurse in Australia.

Two in court over €1.5m drugs seizure in Limerick

Sun, 27 May 2012 23:47:21 GMT

TWO MEN appeared before a special court sitting in Limerick yesterday charged in connection with a large drugs haul on the outskirts of the city.

Midsummer dream as O'Donoghue finds a Yes spirit at home of Puck

Sun, 27 May 2012 23:47:21 GMT

REFERENDUM TRAIL: Former ceann comhairle John O’Donoghue finds majority on his side as he campaigns in Killorglin

The only grilling Enda got during his speech was a nation at the barbecues

Sun, 27 May 2012 23:47:21 GMT

Enda Kenny performed well in his TV address following Gerry Adams’s appearance, but was anyone watching?

Ross breaks his silence and calls for No vote

Sun, 27 May 2012 23:47:21 GMT

VOTING INTENTIONS:INDEPENDENT DUBLIN South TD Shane Ross has ended weeks of silence by declaring he will be calling for a No vote in the referendum.

Bad debt banks 'should go bankrupt'

Sun, 27 May 2012 23:47:20 GMT

RULES OF CAPITALISM:IF BANKS obey the rules of capitalism and make a bad debt they should go bankrupt, the outspoken US financial analyst and former stockbroker Max Keiser said at an event in Dublin yesterday.

Treaty a 'safety net' for future funding

Sun, 27 May 2012 23:47:20 GMT

THE EUROPEAN fiscal treaty was a “safety net” which would provide Ireland with an insurance policy for future emergency funding, Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore has said.

Gerry Adams's speech

Sun, 27 May 2012 23:47:20 GMT

The following is an edited version of Gerry Adams’s speech

Confident leader pledges party will make no promises it cannot keep

Sun, 27 May 2012 23:47:20 GMT

ANALYSIS:SF president reserved his sharpest comments for the party’s main left-wing rival, Labour

McGuinness insists 'the war is over'

Sun, 27 May 2012 23:47:20 GMT

DISSIDENT REPUBLICANS:NORTHERN IRELAND Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness has called on dissident republicans to engage in dialogue with Sinn Féin. But he said “the war is over” and the process of building a new future would continue with or without them.

Motion on abortion rejected

Sun, 27 May 2012 23:47:20 GMT

WOMEN'S RIGHTS:A MOTION from a Waterford cumann stating that women should have the legal right to elective abortion “whatever the circumstances” was rejected by the ardfheis on Saturday.

Consign €100 charge to 'rubbish bin of history'

Sun, 27 May 2012 23:47:19 GMT

HOUSEHOLD CHARGE:THE SINN Féin ardfheis on Saturday heard a call for Labour TDs in particular to support a Sinn Féin Bill to abolish the €100 household charge.

Delegates reject 2.5% levy on profits

Sun, 27 May 2012 23:47:19 GMT

CORPORATION TAX:SINN FÉIN has rejected a call for a temporary 2.5 per cent levy on corporate profits to increase the corporation tax rate to 15 per cent.

Adams says voting No 'patriotic and positive' action

Sun, 27 May 2012 23:47:19 GMT

IT IS A good, patriotic and positive action to vote No to the fiscal treaty, Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams told delegates at the party ardfheis in Killarney, Co Kerry.

Sinn Féin surges as leader of anti-treaty forces

Sun, 27 May 2012 23:47:19 GMT

ANALYSIS:It seems clear that the pro-treaty Irish political establishment has staked its future on a European solution to an Irish problem

Oxygen of publicity energises Sinn Féin but lack of airtime weakens Labour

Sun, 27 May 2012 23:47:19 GMT

ANALYSIS:Fine Gael still has more support in every region, among every age group and across all social classes – apart from the DE category – than any other party

Garda communications director to leave post for key role with Twitter

Sun, 27 May 2012 23:47:19 GMT

Garda Síochána director of communications Sinéad McSweeney is to leave her post to take up a key role with Twitter, the micro-blogging social media service.

Two motorway schemes to get European funding

Sun, 27 May 2012 23:47:19 GMT

Two stalled motorway schemes have received a boost with the Department of Transport confirming that the European Investment Bank (EIB) has provided loan approval in principle for the next phase of the Atlantic Corridor, the €530 million Gort to Tuam route and the €350 million N7 Newlands Cross/N11 Arklow – Rathnew.

Quinn retains textbook grants and praises rental schemes

Sun, 27 May 2012 23:47:18 GMT

Over three-quarters of primary schools operate a book rental scheme, according to a Department of Education survey.

Defence Forces and Air Corps fight forest fires

Sun, 27 May 2012 23:47:18 GMT

The Defence Forces deployed an Air Corps helicopter to assist efforts to fight forest fires in Donegal yesterday.

Body of man who drowned while swimming in disused quarry recovered

Sun, 27 May 2012 23:47:18 GMT

The body of a man who drowned swimming in a disused quarry in Co Kildare was recovered on Saturday night.

Palme d'Or for Haneke as jury falls in love with 'Amour'

Sun, 27 May 2012 23:47:18 GMT

While last year’s festival was seen as a classic, the 2012 hit list was a little less memorable

Logbook details controversial FF calls to Hillery

Sun, 27 May 2012 23:47:18 GMT

THE BITTER controversy over phone calls by senior members of Fianna Fáil to Áras an Uachtaráin in the early 1980s has been brought vividly to life with the online publication of the logbook kept by the Army officer on duty at the time.

High spirits and standards at weekend games

Sun, 27 May 2012 23:47:18 GMT

FROM IRISH dancers in electric pink tutus to sweaty, sporty teenagers, this year’s HSE Community Games finals offered the usual bustling mix of high-energy performances, stiff competition and giggling camaraderie.

Kenny may have known of O'Brien attending US event

Sun, 27 May 2012 23:47:18 GMT

TAOISEACH ENDA Kenny may have been aware that Denis O’Brien would be attending a breakfast event at the New York Stock Exchange in March, Government sources have accepted.

Labour Party cites 'security concerns' for cancellation

Sun, 27 May 2012 23:47:18 GMT

THE LABOUR Party has insisted that “security concerns” led to the cancellation of a commemoration to mark its centenary due to be held in the town where the party was founded.

Dressed to impress: African and NCAD fashions celebrated

Sun, 27 May 2012 23:47:17 GMT

THE SUN brought out a vivid display of African style on George’s Dock, Dublin, yesterday and also shone on the National College of Art and Design’s graduating fashion stars at the weekend.

Daily supply of prescription drugs 'just to get you normal'

Sun, 27 May 2012 23:47:17 GMT

JOE (30) from Rialto, Dublin, and his girlfriend Sally (33) each take about 15 Zimovane tablets in the morning “just to get you normal”. Zimovane is a sedative.

Seminary life should not be end in itself, warns archbishop

Sun, 27 May 2012 23:47:17 GMT

THE CATHOLIC Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin warned in Maynooth yesterday against “a narrow preoccupation” with day- to-day seminary life. That was often “an unhealthy sign”, tending “inevitably to be inward-looking, self-serving and individualistic, rather than focusing on the self-giving love of Jesus Christ”, he said.

Government drafting law on tranquillisers

Sun, 27 May 2012 23:47:17 GMT

IT IS to become an offence to possess tranquillisers such as Valium, Xanax or Zimovane without a prescription, under legislation being drawn up by the Department of Health.

Laity to set up church reform groups

Sun, 27 May 2012 23:47:16 GMT

FOLLOWING THE Toward an Assembly of the Catholic Church gathering in Dublin’s Regency Hotel three weeks ago, which was attended by over 1,000 Catholic laity, priests and nuns calling for dialogue in the Irish church, two further events are planned for this coming week.

Union defends lecturers' holidays

Sun, 27 May 2012 23:47:16 GMT

A TEACHING union has defended the summer holidays and working hours of lecturers in the institutes of technology and accused critics of “mischievous inaccuracies”.

Council not aware of takeover plans for dockland body

Sun, 27 May 2012 23:47:16 GMT

DUBLIN CITY Council has said it has not been made aware of any plans for it to take over the powers of the Dublin Dockland Development Authority.

Families reject attempt to 'denigrate' Michaela

Sun, 27 May 2012 23:47:15 GMT

THE FAMILIES of John McAreavey and his late wife, Michaela, have said they are distressed and dismayed at any attempt to “denigrate” the memory of Mrs McAreavey, the 27-year-old Co Tyrone teacher killed in Mauritius last year.

Novelty value wears off as Jedward come to a watery end

Sun, 27 May 2012 23:47:15 GMT

FINISHING 19TH out of 26 competing countries, with a final points total of 46, was probably not the Eurovision outcome that Jedward were looking for this year, but it seems unlikely that this low result will slow down the Dublin duo’s career trajectory.

Twins put brave face on Baku defeat

Sun, 27 May 2012 23:47:15 GMT

THEY CONTROVERSIALLY let their hair down for the final but, while their fringes flopped, Jedward insisted they had not failed as they arrived home from Baku after a disappointing night in the Azerbaijani capital.

Two Dubliners reach Everest summit

Sun, 27 May 2012 23:47:15 GMT

IN SPITE of one of the worst seasons for fatalities on Everest, two Dubliners have separately managed to reach the summit of the highest mountain and return safely to base camp.

Soccer squad shows it's bigger than leprechauns for Euro 2012

Sun, 27 May 2012 23:47:14 GMT

DUBLIN AIRPORT was a leprechaun-free zone for the Republic of Ireland soccer team’s latest departure to an international soccer tournament.

Two held over Irish student's death in Tokyo

Sun, 27 May 2012 23:47:13 GMT

TOKYO POLICE have charged two US men in connection with the death of an Irish student, Nicola Furlong (21), and the assault of an Irish woman friend.

Gardaí investigate as two die in rally crash

Sun, 27 May 2012 23:47:12 GMT

A GARDA investigation is under way into how two spectators were killed and seven others injured after a car taking part in a rally in Co Cavan went out of control.

Auction results

Sat, 26 May 2012 12:54:17 GMT

May 21st:Whyte’s Irish Art Auction, Dublin: Set of 20 tapestries illustrating The Táin by Louis le Brocquy, €245,000 (€250,000-€300,000); Cottages, West of Ireland by Paul Henry, €56,000 (€60,000–€80,000); The Pontoon by Jack B Yeats, €49,000 (€50,000-€70,000); Past Definite, Future Perfect by Seán Keating €42,000 (€25,000–€35,000); Florence by Daniel O’Neill, €41,000 (€25,000-€35,000);The Soko, Tangier by Sir John Lavery, €29,000 (€20,000-€25,000); Maam Valley, Connemara by Paul Henry, €27,000 (€20,000-€25,000); Study for Portrait of Pope Innocent X, 1989 (lithograph) by Francis Bacon, €25,000 (€6,000 –€8,000). Pedro Barba – Isla Graciosa by Tony O’Malley, €22,000 (€20,000–€30,000).

From Thurles to Peking

Sat, 26 May 2012 12:54:16 GMT

MEALY’S TWO-DAY Summer Fine and Decorative Art auction next week features jewellery, paintings, and furniture from the late Matty Ryan’s home at Liberty Square, Thurles, Co Tipperary.

Portrait of comedian Jimmy O'Dea for sale in London

Sat, 26 May 2012 12:54:16 GMT

READERS OF A CERTAIN age will recall, with great fondness, Jimmy O’Dea, a Dublin actor and comedian who died in 1965. He was especially popular for his roles in revue and pantomime at the Olympia and Gaiety theatres during the mid-20th century and was best-known for creating the character “Biddy Mulligan, the Pride of the Coombe”. Following his death, the then Taoiseach Seán Lemass described him as a man of “quite exceptional talents” who had “brought joy and laughter to thousands of people”.

Bathing nuns and a Brittany pub scene

Sat, 26 May 2012 12:54:16 GMT

A William Leech bought for £150 in the 1950s has an upward estimate of €400,000 at Adam’s