- NEWS
Shatter: Garda chief told me about WallaceEmbattled Justice Minister Alan Shatter said the Garda commissioner gave him details about TD Mick Wallace escaping penalty points and that he publicly revealed it to defend the integrity of the force.
Panicked last minutes aboard the Tit Bonhomme revealed at inquest Rarely has a voice ever carried so much panic.
- WORLD
Horror and heroism as tornado wreaks havocThe search for survivors and the dead in the Oklahoma City suburb raked by a massive tornado was almost complete last night.
Chile miner happy to be played by Banderas in filmAntonio Banderas will star in a movie as one of the 33 Chilean miners trapped deep underground for more than two months in 2010, and the charismatic survivor he's playing couldn't be happier.
- BUSINESS
Smooth exit from bailout forecastIreland is heading for a smooth exit from the bailout programme as GDP grows — delivering a huge political and reputational reward for the country, according to the latest Ernst & Young Economic Eye.
Glanbia’s Talbot first woman to take helm at a major Irish food companySiobhan Talbot is set to succeed John Moloney as group managing director of Glanbia, at the end of this year — becoming the first woman to head up a major Irish food company.
- SPORT
Deegan in dock over advantage ruleArmagh's Jamie Clarke has cleared Paul Grimley of all responsibility for Sunday's defeat by Cavan, but questioned referee Maurice Deegan's decision not to allow him advantage in scoring his second-half disallowed goal.
One more year and that’s it, insists O’DriscollBrian O'Driscoll has ruled out extending his career beyond next June.
- LIFESTYLE
Tyranny of the majorityIn the play An Enemy of the People, one man stands for right, says Pádraic Killeen.
Opening a can of wormsThe UN thinks it's a good idea, but what do the Irish think of eating creepy crawlies, wonders Jonathan deBurca Butler.
Breaking stories
Petrol prices to hit record levels
Petrol prices are expected to hit an all-time high next week with the cost of filling a modest family car reaching €85, an increase of €2.50.
By Evelyn Ring
AA Ireland is warning that petrol prices will increase to €1.70 per litre for petrol and €1.60 for diesel, although prices will vary slightly across the country. According to the AA, the cost of filling a 50-litre tank in a family car will be €85 for petrol and €80 for diesel — a price hike of between €2 and €2.50.
An increase in the global demand for oil has been putting upward pressure on refined product prices, and this has not been aided by the declining value of the euro against the dollar.
One industry source said: “The current upward price pressure is due to factors beyond the control of retailers who would prefer to see prices fall to more affordable levels.”
He claimed the main reason for higher prices was the Government’s decision to increase taxation and Vat in the past three years.
AA Ireland director of policy Conor Faughnan said: “We could be looking at a 4c-5c per litre increase next week so it is a pretty severe one. Four cent is an extra €2 on a fill and 5c would be an extra €2.50. Four cent might not appear to be an awful lot but it has been death by a thousand price rises, with the cost going up and up over the last 12 months.”
Mr Faughnan said a combination of “super taxes” on fuels coupled with a rise in the cost of oil and a fall in the value of the euro was pushing prices to the highest ever.