THE first time I covered a sexual assault case I remember sitting in the court room and being stunned by the evidence — when I realised that I had experienced the same abuse that was being outlined by the victim.

Children with special needs face further cuts to resource teaching as the Government forces schools to cater for more pupils without increased staffing levels.

Cork manager Jimmy Barry-Murphy says his team have "worked very hard" on fitness since losing their relegation play-off with Clare.

The West Cork region is "bleeding to death" due to Government cuts, protesters claimed yesterday.

A major security operation is being planned to prevent protests disrupting the election of the new lord mayor of Cork on Friday night.

Designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana have been found guilty of massive tax evasion in Italy.

The Seanad is in need of reform, but the bill launched last week demonstrates that reform is attainable.

The GPA could yet act on the behalf of the Carlow and Laois football panels as they have confirmed neither they nor the players were consulted about Friday week's All-Ireland round one qualifier.

A goalkeeper who was shot in the head during a match only realised he'd been hit by a bullet after finishing the match.

The Minister for Health James Reilly says threats to burn him and his family out of their home have gone much further than they should have.

In the 1980s I was a big fan of Europe. The EU Commission came across as a strident advocate of competition, open markets and progressive economics.

Nearly 20% of Ireland's wealthy people have seen the value of their assets halved as a result of their over-reliance on property.

Shannon-based aircraft leasing firm GE Capital Aviation Services have bought 10 new Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners for an estimated $3bn (€2.24bn) at list price.

Ireland is to introduce a new registration and training regime for sprayer operators to comply with EU pesticide regulations.

The High Court has heard the proposed takeover bid for the Sunday Business Post is lower than hoped for but sufficient to ensure the newspaper's survival.

Ryanair chief Michael O'Leary does not expect that the airline will have to sell any of its near 30% stake in Aer Lingus when Britain's Competition Commission rules on its findings next month.

Irish airline Ryanair confirmed today it would be buying around £10bn-worth of new planes in a move that will create more than 3,000 jobs.

An environmental lobby is to appeal the granting of 34 aquaculture licences in a Kerry harbour designated as a special area of conservation.

Following the overturning of a receiver at Foley's Bar, the holding company and owners are to sue a range of financial firms and individuals for trespass, negligence, and breach of contract.

The High Court will be asked to approve a survival plan for the Sunday Business Post newspaper today.

A 1,000-strong congregation burst into spontaneous applause last night after hearing heartfelt tributes to a mother and daughter brutally murdered at the weekend.

The husband of murdered Jill Meagher says the man who raped and murdered his wife is "unrepentantly evil".

A 13-year-old boy has been charged with second-degree murder over the death of his five-year-old half-sister after he told investigators he repeatedly struck her with wrestling moves imitated from TV.

North Korea has angrily denied a report its ruler used Adolf Hitler's memoir as a leadership guide, threatening to kill the authors of the report.

The head of the Irish Bank Officials Association claims that bonuses to senior executives are distorting CSO statistics which indicate rises for financial workers.

Shannon-based aircraft leasing firm GE Capital Aviation Services have bought 10 new Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners for an estimated $3bn (€2.24bn) at list price.

Four counties have been warned they risk having funding withheld if they don't devise a managers' charter.

SUDDENLY, Jake White's prediction of doom for the British & Irish Lions should they lose Saturday's first Test against Australia possesses extra foreboding.

Human rights themes are again to the fore at the ICCL awards, writes Pádraic Killeen

The Treaty City is hoping for a financial bonanza if it lands the 2018 event, writes Jonathan deBurca Butler