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TDs: Has Shatter got access to secret files?Coalition TDs have demanded to know if Alan Shatter has access to secret files on prominent politicians, journalists and public figures, as the controversy surrounding the justice minister continued to escalate.
Yacht can be yours... for €700k per weekThe sleek white Lauren L yacht has become Cork's latest tourist attraction, and you have to admit, it definitely adds a touch of glamour to the place.
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Yahoo’s $1.1bn gamble on Tumblr Yahoo said it is acquiring blogging service Tumblr for $1.1bn (€850m) cash, a bold bet by chief executive Marissa Mayer to revitalise the struggling internet pioneer by co-opting a web property with strong visitor traffic but little revenue.
Hungary meets German pressure with Nazi tauntsTensions between Germany and Hungary have flared over remarks by the countries' leaders, including references to Hitler's occupation of the eastern European country in 1944 and an irritated German government response condemning Hungary's allusion to the Nazi era as "deplorable derailment".
- BUSINESS
Ryanair results help stock soar by €600m The value of Ryanair increased by more than €600m in one day's trading yesterday after the company reported stronger than expected results.
PTSB claims 60% increase in current accounts following fee-free offerPermanent TSB has reported a huge increase in new account openings since it launched its no-fee current account.
- SPORT
Limerick lose out again Limerick's Division 1B defeat by Dublin won't be revisited despite the question of Paul Ryan's eligibility in the game.
Paulie backs O’Gara coaching callPaul O'Connell has backed former Munster team-mate Ronan O'Gara to be a "great" coach after the fly-half announced he was retiring and taking a job on Racing Metro's backroom staff.
- LIFESTYLE
Time on Stewart’s side as album tops UK chartsRod Stewart said he was "over the moon" as he celebrated his 15th No 1 with a champagne toast.
Reunion sparks renewed synths of purposeANDY McCluskey has mellowed.
Breaking stories
Dingle despair as handsome Hugh fails to perform
After a testosterone-fuelled trip from the highlands of Scotland, he arrived with a macho reputation and a fanfare befitting a legendary gigolo.
By John O’Mahony, Dingle
But it now appears the handsome Hugh wasn’t all he was cracked up to be.When the existing penguin population at Dingle Oceanworld in Co Kerry was doing little in terms of boosting the succession stakes, the call went out for the swashbuckling Hugh, who had a record second to none in the mating game.
And quick as a flash after his arrival last April, the 23-year-old gentoo, on loan from Aberdeen Zoo, set his sights on the charming Candy.
The two-year-old fell for his well-rehearsed charms and they quickly became inseparable.
The dashing Hugh, one of a breed of the most powerful swimming birds in the world, was hailed a hero. Candy produced two eggs and it sparked a flurry of excitement at the aquarium.
But their love story turned to heartbreak this week when the incubation period drew to a close and it turned out that the eggs were hollow.
“The eggs were what are known as gluggers, so it turns out that our Scottish friend was firing blanks,” said marine biologist Kevin Flannery.
“We held out high hopes for him when he paired off with Candy, who is the youngest of our eight females, but it just wasn’t to be.”
Now, the team at Dingle are planning to import another four males to add a little spice to the lives of the brooding females.
“We’re not sure how Hugh will take it but he’s had his chance. Maybe the competition will spur him on a bit.
“Although it is disappointing, especially with all the care and attention Hugh and Candy gave to their eggs, we were always aware that they only had a small chance of hatching.
“Despite this, it is great progress for the group as a whole and it gives us hope for successful breeding in future years.”
As for humbled Hugh, well, where there’s life there’s hope and male gentoo penguins have been known to successfully breed up until the age of 30.
There’s plenty of life in the old bird yet.