- NEWS
Appeal for public help in double murder probeA 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.
Ronan kicks off portraits initiativeHe's kicked a record number of penalty kicks, drop kicks and conversions over the bar. But Irish rugby legend Ronan O'Gara, 36, hit the side of a bar yesterday as a very special photographic exhibition was unveiled across Cork City.
- WORLD
Brand divorced me by text, says Perry Pop star Katy Perry has revealed that Russell Brand told her he was divorcing her in a text message.
Ex-hitman: Bulger’s FBI dealings ‘broke my heart’A former criminal associate of James "Whitey" Bulger told jurors at the accused mob boss's trial that he agreed to testify against his old friend after learning that his former gang pals had begun co-operating with law enforcement.
- BUSINESS
Aircraft leasing firm buys 10 Boeing jetsShannon-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.
20% of rich see value of assets halved Nearly 20% of Ireland's wealthy people have seen the value of their assets halved as a result of their over-reliance on property.
- SPORT
GPA may get involved over Friday night championship dictatThe 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.
Kearney keeps eyes on main prize 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.
- LIFESTYLE
Bradley bares his soul Soul singer Charles Bradley found fame late in life, but is haunted by his past, writes Ed Power
Body of evidence: do we fear nudity or nakedness?Do it together and it's harmless, do it alone and it's criminal, says Suzanne Harrington
16-19C
Breaking stories
Greece takes centre stage in Brussels
By Ann Cahill, Europe Correspondent
Eurozone finance officials have been told to study what a possible Greek exit from the eurozone would mean for their economies, according to diplomats.
EU leaders meeting in Brussels last night discussed the growing crisis in Greece as the country waited for its second general election in weeks and the euro fell to a 22-month low.Taoiseach Enda Kenny, on his way to the meeting, said of Greece: “Quite clearly this is a matter of quite considerable concern in the EU and the eurozone.”
They were due to issue a short statement after the meeting saying that Greece had the full support of the eurozone and it was up to the Greek people to decide at the ballot box.
The Greek finance ministry issued a statement denying that eurozone officials had agreed that each country should prepare contingency plans in case Greece left the euro. However, several officials said they had agreed to “reflect” on what an exit would mean as a precaution.
The meeting was to concentrate on a growth and jobs pact to go with the stability treaty. French president François Hollande brought the battle to Germany’s chancellor, Angela Merkel, insisting that eurobonds must be considered. Ms Merkel has made it clear she will not consider this system for sharing debt, which would see German borrowing costs rise and those of other countries fall.
They barely acknowledged one another as the leaders mingled and discussed issues of common interest before sitting down.
Mr Hollande, who is a member of the Socialists, set the scene by meeting his Spanish counterpart, Mariano Rajoy, in Paris beforehand and supporting him in pushing for funds to be made available to bail out the crisis-hit Spanish banks — something Germany and the Netherlands are steadfastly against.
Negotiations are under way behind the scenes about setting up a banking union with a single bank resolution fund and a single banking regulator for all eurozone banks. Germany is in favour of such an idea which would mean EU funds would no longer have to be lent to the Government, adding to their debt. However, it could be some time before this is in place.
The Taoiseach said Ireland “would be exceptionally interested in” using the ESM bailout funds to capitalise banks directly, which would mean changing ESM rules.
He was due to speak to the meeting about growth and employment and lay the foundation for getting their political support at the June summit for a whole raft of Irish plans to leverage money and invest it in job creation projects.
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