The Irish Times - Ireland

FG embraces new, post-Georgian beginning

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:32:01 GMT

DÁIL REPORT:Baby Bruton faces the media with the fluency his boss pledged to master, writes MIRIAM LORD

Robinson says deal will fail if SF reneges on parades

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:16:26 GMT

FIRST MINISTER Peter Robinson told the Northern Assembly yesterday he would walk away from the Hillsborough Castle agreement if Sinn Féin did not meet its commitments on parading.

150,000 fine over exposure to asbestos

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:16:26 GMT

A developer and a demolition company have been collectively fined €150,000 at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for allowing workers to be exposed to asbestos.

€100,000 judgment over sex abuse

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:16:26 GMT

A WOMAN has obtained judgment for €100,000 and an apology from a neighbour over sexual abuse of her as a child.

Woman on indecent assault charges

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:16:26 GMT

A WOMAN charged with 87 counts of indecently assaulting a number of girls may face further charges.

Financial controller given suspended sentence

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:16:26 GMT

AN AUSTRALIAN woman who defrauded her lover’s company of €77,000 after she was appointed as financial controller has been given a suspended sentence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

Family settles action over death

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:16:26 GMT

THE FAMILY of a woman who died after surgery at St Vincent’s University Hospital, Dublin, has settled its High Court action over her death.

Jarveys challenge attempts to have dung-catchers imposed

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:16:26 GMT

A GROUP of jarveys have opened their High Court challenge to a ban on their driving through Killarney National Park unless they agree to attach dung-catchers to their horse-drawn carriages.

Birth disability case settled with €500,000 payout

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:16:26 GMT

A SETTLEMENT of €500,000, plus legal costs, has been approved by the High Court against consultant psychiatrist Prof Patricia Casey and consultant obstetrician Dr Mary Holohan in the case of a child born with disabilities allegedly caused by prescription drugs taken by her psychiatrically ill mother during pregnancy.

Shell to Sea protesters lose their appeals

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:16:26 GMT

A LEADING Shell to Sea campaigner lost his appeal at the Circuit Criminal Court sitting in Castlebar yesterday against a conviction for assaulting a garda at Glengad beach, Co Mayo, where gas from the Corrib field will be brought ashore.

Fungus strain puts potato crop at risk

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:16:26 GMT

THE POTATO crop is under severe threat once again from blight with the emergence of a new strain of the fungus Blue 13 which has arrived here from Britain where it was first detected in 2005.

Coroner warns over DIY motor care after car collapses on man

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:16:26 GMT

A CORONER has warned against people carrying out repairs under their cars using only jacks to support the vehicle following the death of a father of two.

Meteorite fragments unlikely - astronomer

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:16:26 GMT

DIRECTOR OF Armagh Observatory Prof Mark Bailey has said it is “highly unlikely” any fragments from a fireball seen by thousands of people last week will be found.

Site in Ballydoyle dispute fails to sell

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:16:26 GMT

A SIGNIFICANT agricultural property in the heart of Tipperary’s racehorse country failed to sell at auction yesterday.

Gardaí in Cork seize guns and cash

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:16:26 GMT

GARDAÍ IN Cork have seized more than €90,000 in cash, a handful of imitation firearms and a small quantity of cannabis during a series of raids targeting the activities of dissident republicans in the city and county.

Concern over end of trauma services at Navan hospital

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:16:26 GMT

THE IRISH Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) has expressed its “serious concerns” about the end of major trauma services at Navan hospital from this weekend.

Protection of data on travellers between EU states being examined

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:16:26 GMT

EUROPEAN AFFAIRS:THE EXCHANGE of data on travellers between EU member states and other countries was one of the issues examined by an EU agency, the Oireachtas Committee on European Affairs was told yesterday. This led to controls on the exchange of such data.

Minister should come to chamber and explain Nama discrepancy - FG

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:16:26 GMT

SEANAD REPORT:IT WAS a very serious matter that the Oireachtas had been misled by the Taoiseach and the Minister for Finance on the issue of the projected €54 billion National Asset Management Agency, Eugene Regan (FG) said.

Call for outline on lord mayor proposal

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:16:26 GMT

LABOUR LEADER Eamon Gilmore has asked the Government to provide Opposition parties with the outline of legislation which would pave the way for the election of a lord mayor of Dublin.

North deal may help to settle parades issue, says Martin

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:16:26 GMT

THE AGREEMENT between Northern parties to move forward on an agreed basis had the potential to lift the stresses and pressure on communities arising from parades, Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin told the Dáil.

Halifax closure will not hurt BoSI clients - Cowen

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:16:26 GMT

BANK OF Scotland Ireland customers would not be affected by the closure of its Irish Halifax operation, Taoiseach Brian Cowen told the Dáil.

Lenihan says debate on U-turn on pay cuts for civil servants 'begrudgery'

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:16:26 GMT

MINISTER FOR Finance Brian Lenihan has described much of the debate about his controversial U-turn on pay cuts for higher level civil servants as showing a “great deal of populism and begrudgery”.

Finance Bill measures 'lack ambition', says Bruton

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:16:26 GMT

MEASURES to facilitate the development of Islamic finance in Ireland are included in the Finance Bill introduced in the Dáil by Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan.

Dublin South byelection date to be decided

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:16:26 GMT

TAOISEACH Brian Cowen told the Dáil yesterday that the byelection in Dublin South to replace George Lee would be held “in due course”.

Senior colleagues critical of Kenny performance but leadership secure

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:16:26 GMT

PARTY MEETING:FINE GAEL leader Enda Kenny faced “implicit criticism” from senior colleagues over poor public performances recently but the issue of his leadership was not directly broached during the course of yesterday’s meeting of the party’s front bench.

FG chief must 'come out of his corner fighting', says Bruton

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:16:26 GMT

PARTY SUPPORT:ENDA KENNY has to come out “fighting” following the resignation of George Lee from the party, a senior party frontbencher has said.

Kenny vows to lead Fine Gael from the front

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:16:26 GMT

FINE GAEL leader Enda Kenny said he accepted some people did not like him but he was going to “speak out from my heart” and lead his party from the front.

Apology to first-class passengers over lack of carriage

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:16:26 GMT

IARNRÓD ÉIREANN has apologised to passengers who bought first-class tickets for the Dublin to Galway train last Saturday morning, which did not have any first-class carriage.

Call to publish anti-torture group findings

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:16:26 GMT

The Government is being asked to make public the findings of a European anti-torture group that visited Ireland last week.

PSNI arrests three over murder

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:16:26 GMT

Two men and a woman have been arrested in Co Armagh over the murder of PSNI constable Stephen Carroll, who was killed by the Continuity IRA on March 9th last year.

Recycled phones to fund scholarships

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:16:26 GMT

Recycled mobile phones are to fund nursing scholarships for students from disadvantaged backgrounds at Dublin City University (DCU).

Appointment to President's office

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:16:26 GMT

THE CURRENT director general of the Anglo-Irish division in the Department of Foreign Affairs has been appointed as secretary general to President Mary McAleese. Adrian O’Neill’s appointment was announced yesterday and he will take up his duties in March.

Graduates to be offered work experience nationwide

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:16:25 GMT

GRADUATES WHO completed their studies last year will be offered the opportunity of work experience in companies around the country under an initiative launched by employers’ group Ibec yesterday.

Gormley sets out position on 'puppy farms'

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:16:25 GMT

FIANNA FÁIL TDs and Senators seeking to amend proposed legislation that would regulate so-called “puppy farms” said they were satisfied with the outcome of a meeting last night with Minister for the Environment John Gormley.

11,500 new homes approved by council beside Adamstown

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:16:25 GMT

THE FIRST phase of a new town of 11,500 homes at Clonburris, Co Dublin, less than 1km from Adamstown, has been granted planning permission by South Dublin County Council.

Ex-Guantánamo man thanks Ireland

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:16:25 GMT

THE GOVERNMENT has acted as a “beacon of light” in Europe for taking in two inmates from Guantánamo Bay, a former inmate turned human rights activist has said.

Economy key in Lisbon Treaty vote, says Martin

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:16:25 GMT

A PERCEIVED link between Ireland’s economic prospects and a Yes vote on the Lisbon Treaty was a major factor in the second referendum, according to research commissioned by the Government.

Tender process for Dart Underground begins

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:16:25 GMT

THE PROPOSED “Dart Underground” line linking Heuston Station with Spencer Dock took a step closer to reality yesterday when Iarnród Éireann flagged it in the EU’s Official Journal.

Cabinet issues statement backing Gormley on waste

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:16:25 GMT

THE GOVERNMENT has formally backed Minister for the Environment John Gormley’s stance on incineration, saying the Green Party leader has its full confidence to develop proposals on waste management.

Thalidomide survivors to share £1.1m

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:16:25 GMT

NORTHERN IRELAND’S 18 surviving thalidomide sufferers are to receive £1.1 million in compensation, the North’s Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey, has announced.

Moves to tackle stigma of using mental health service

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:16:25 GMT

PROVIDING ALL the money in the world for the development of mental health services will be useless unless the fear people have of accessing these services can be addressed, Minister of State with responsibility for mental health John Moloney said yesterday.

Portrane chosen as site for Central Mental Hospital

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:16:25 GMT

A SITE has been chosen for the relocation of the State’s Central Mental Hospital.

Tuition fees must be addressed, says NUIG head

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:16:25 GMT

THE ISSUE of student tuition fees will have to be addressed in the near future despite the Government’s expressed opposition to them, Dr Jim Browne, the president of NUI Galway, has said.

Processing of over-70s medical cards criticised

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:16:25 GMT

THE NEW centralised system for the processing of medical card applications for those aged over 70 years was yesterday described as “completely and utterly dysfunctional” at a meeting of the Oireachtas health committee.

Cycling road race for Clare in August

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:16:25 GMT

IRELAND IS set to become home to an annual international cycling race which organisers say could attract thousands of participants and visitors and bring in as much as €10 million in revenue.

London Eye, Empire State Building and Opera House give green light to Irish tourism push

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:16:25 GMT

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS such as the Sydney Opera House, the London Eye and the Empire State Building will turn green to mark St Patrick’s Day, Tourism Ireland said yesterday.

Draft law to elect Dublin mayor approved

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:16:25 GMT

THE GOVERNMENT approved draft legislation for a directly-elected mayor of Dublin with “strong executive powers” at a Cabinet meeting yesterday.

Women beat men on life expectancy, education - CSO

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:16:25 GMT

WOMEN LIVE longer than men and have better educational qualifications but are more likely to be hospitalised with depression.

HSE directors may be in line for 5.5% rise

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:16:25 GMT

THE DEPARTMENT of Finance is to consider proposals for pay increases of up to 5.5 per cent for top-level managers in the health service.

Party basked in victory as 'celebrity' TD grew more discontented

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:39:21 GMT

POLITICAL CAREER:FOR WEEKS and possibly months after George Lee’s landslide victory in the Dublin South byelection last June, Fine Gael basked in the glory of its success in wooing RTÉ’s former economics editor.

Former economics editor plans on return to RTÉ

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:39:21 GMT

EMPLOYMENT:GEORGE LEE will be able to return to work with RTÉ on the same basic grade and salary he held previously, a spokeswoman for the organisation confirmed last night.

'I really thought he was going to change our country'

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:39:21 GMT

CONSTITUENCY REACTION:THERE WAS much criticism of Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny in George Lee’s Dublin South constituency, where shoppers were shocked at the deputy’s departure.

Planet Dáil in turmoil as Fine Gael's shooting star turns out to be an alien

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:39:21 GMT

George Lee was never a typical TD, which is why he got elected in the first place and why his early departure is not such a huge surprise

Interview: 'at The End Of The Day Being A Crowd-puller Can Be Quite A Hollow Thing

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:39:21 GMT

Edited extract from interview on RTÉsNews at One:

Profile of George Lee

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:39:21 GMT

THE MANNER of George Lee’s announcement bore striking similarities to the manner in which the previous chapter in his high-profile career ended.

Lee rejected Kenny offer of job on front bench

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:39:21 GMT

GEORGE LEE rejected the offer of a frontbench position from Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny last week because it was offered to him “under duress”.

Man gets two years for attack on woman

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:39:21 GMT

A YOUNG man who beat a woman to the ground in front of her young children has been sentenced to two years in prison with the final year suspended.

Dublin firm regains possession of jet

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:39:21 GMT

A DUBLIN-BASED aircraft leasing company has regained possession of a Boeing jet at the centre of a dispute with a Spanish airline, the Commercial Court has heard.

Investor owing €8m to EBS has five properties repossessed

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:39:21 GMT

A MAN who borrowed almost €8 million from the Educational Building Society to develop a site in Co Tipperary has had it and four other properties repossessed.

Drugs courier escapes jail after 'dramatic turnaraound'

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:39:20 GMT

A TAXI driver who helped criminals distribute “vast amounts” of cocaine around Dublin has been ordered to carry out 240 hours of community service in lieu of six years in jail.

Victim tore off receipt bearing driver's registration number

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:39:20 GMT

THE CENTRAL Criminal Court heard that the young woman had been placed in a taxi after she got separated from a friend that night.

Taxi driver gets seven years in jail for rape

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:39:20 GMT

A LIMERICK taxi driver who raped and sexually assaulted a passenger two years ago after driving her to an isolated area has been jailed for seven years.

In Short

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:39:20 GMT

A round-up of today's regional news in brief

Drink-driver gets jail and 15-year ban

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:39:20 GMT

A MAN has been jailed for eight months and disqualified from driving for 15 years in what a judge described as one of the worst drink-driving cases he had ever seen.

Opening date for rail corridor

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:39:20 GMT

INTERCITY PASSENGER rail services are to recommence between Limerick and Galway for the first time in 30 years next month.

Medical inquiry told of delay in treating septic shock

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:39:20 GMT

THERE WAS undoubtedly delay in diagnosing and treating a woman who developed septic shock after a procedure at the Galway Clinic in 2005, a Medical Council fitness to practise inquiry was told yesterday.

Civic reception for Kilfenora band

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:39:20 GMT

CLARE COUNTY Council’s high-tech chamber last night provided a platform for the Kilfenora Céilí Band to showcase its talents.

Council still awaits new details on wind farms

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:39:20 GMT

DONEGAL County Council is awaiting further details on contentious plans for a wind farm near Glenties, with up to 35 turbines that would be higher than the Spire in Dublin’s O’Connell Street.

Boston Scientific to cut 175 jobs in Galway

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:39:20 GMT

THE LARGEST multinational in the west yesterday announced it is reducing its workforce, with 175 jobs to go at the Boston Scientific plant in Galway.

NI party leaders to discuss justice position

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:39:20 GMT

NORTHERN PARTY leaders are due to meet today to discuss who should be the North’s minister of justice, as a working group to consider how to tackle contentious parades was formed at Stormont.

Extremist group born out of bloody feud

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:39:20 GMT

BACKGROUND:The INLA has a long history of extreme violence and vicious internal feuding

Disposal of weapons by NI groups welcomed

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:39:20 GMT

THERE HAS been a broad political welcome for the decision of three paramilitary organisations – the Irish National Liberation Army, the Official IRA and the south east Antrim brigade of the Ulster Defence Association – to dispose of illegally-held weaponry.

In Short

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:39:20 GMT

A round-up of today's Irish news in brief

No demand for €27m of affordable housing

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:39:20 GMT

A SOUTH Dublin local authority has said it has been unable to sell “affordable housing” valued at €27.5 million.

Mourners pay tribute to Mac Giolla

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:39:20 GMT

TOMÁS MAC GIOLLA gave confidence to people whose only experience was accepting their second-class status because they saw no other way, Workers’ Party president Michael Finnegan told mourners at his funeral in Dublin yesterday.