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.

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

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.

Reality TV star Kim Kardashian and boyfriend Kanye West have stuck with 'tradition' in their name choice for their newborn girl.

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.

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 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 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 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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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