A New York Medical Examiner Office employee has been suspended after the body of a young Irishman was placed in a van full of rubbish after his tragic death over the weekend.

A 27-year-old woman found murdered in her rented home in Killorglin, Co Kerry, had been looking forward to returning permanently to her native Lithuania in the coming weeks.

FIRST lady of the United States of America Michelle Obama touched down in Dublin yesterday for an official visit to the Republic with her daughters Malia, 14, and Sasha, 12.

The bodies of a mother and daughter, who were believed suffered a violent death, were found in separate rooms of a house in Killorglin, gardaí revealed today.

Gardai have formally upgraded their investigation into the deaths of a mother and daughter in Killorglin, Co. Kerry to murder.

Gardaí are carrying out house-to-house inquiries in Co Kerry following the discovery of the bodies of a young mother and daugher in a house in Killorglin on Sunday.

A man who impersonated a garda to steal €28,000 from a pensioner fled to England two days before his trial but was arrested on a European warrant and brought to court.

A man has been killed after his car hit a ditch in Co Cork in the early hours of this morning.

RTÉ's John Murray will not be returning to the station until at least the autumn but bosses insist he is recovering from the illness which kept him off air for the past eight weeks.

A primary school in Co Kerry is trying to come to terms with the death of one of its students today.

A double murder investigation involving more than 50 gardaí got under way in Killorglin, Co Kerry, after autopsies confirmed a Lithuanian woman and her young daughter had died violently.

Pregnant women who were exposed to high levels of air pollution were twice as likely to have a child with autism as women who lived in low pollution areas, a US study shows.

Accused Boston mobster James "Whitey" Bulger and one of his associates shot dead a bar owner in a phone booth for bragging about helping the "Winter Hill Gang" with another killing, an ex-convict and confessed murderer has testified.

Pop star Katy Perry has revealed that Russell Brand told her he was divorcing her in a text message.

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.

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

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.

Rob Kearney might not have felt like putting his best foot forward today as the Lions continued to prepare for Saturday's all-important first Test against Australia but he is experienced enough to know that after this midweek defeat by the Brumbies, it is essential for the main mission of the tour.

Soul singer Charles Bradley found fame late in life, but is haunted by his past, writes Ed Power

Do it together and it's harmless, do it alone and it's criminal, says Suzanne Harrington

The photos of celebrity chef Nigella Lawson being grabbed around the throat by her husband are disturbing. He said he was just being 'playful'. It's not acceptable behaviour, says Barbara Scully

The noises coming from the Cork camp immediately after Sunday's Munster SFC semi-final win were of the usual kind.

Let him explain why... "I had a bad dose of pneumonia over the last couple of weeks and I only got out of hospital last week so unfortunately the Clare game has come too soon for me.

Cork will be captained by Bride Rovers' Brian Murphy in Sunday's Munster SHC clash with Clare.

I'm 57 and have lost interest in sex. My husband has given up making advances. I know it's unfair to him but I have no desire. I don't want to feign interest. I am afraid our zero sex life will drive us apart and I'll end up alone.

A New York Medical Examiner Office employee has been suspended after the body of a young Irishman was placed in a van full of rubbish after his tragic death over the weekend.

A BILL that stigmatises gay people and bans giving children any information about homosexuality won overwhelming approval last week in Russia's lower house of parliament.

SPECTATORS of the live dance-art show, Witches, will have to wake early or stay up late to watch it.

A 27-year-old woman found murdered in her rented home in Killorglin, Co Kerry, had been looking forward to returning permanently to her native Lithuania in the coming weeks.

Hundreds of children were left vulnerable to abuse because of inadequate services in parts of Cork City and county, it has emerged.