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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.
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Government must not back-pedal on proposed alcohol strategy
The reports that Government ministers are back-pedalling on the proposed alcohol strategy are very disappointing and I hope untrue.
Staff who work in student support services in higher education are seeing at first hand the impact of the widespread availability of cheap alcohol.In particular, staff who work in student health centres, counselling services or as chaplains, are witness to the serious harm that many young people do to themselves, or others, as a result of drink-related incidents.
The problem does not appear to be improving.
A recent, excellent piece of research by the Student Health Centre in University College Cork showed that alcohol consumption by female students has now caught up with that of their male counterparts.
This will have long-term damaging effects to their physical and mental health.
I think that ministers have to understand that alcohol companies are not sponsoring sporting and music events from a sense of community spirit. Sponsorship of these events is a clear way to target young people.
Increasingly, our alcohol companies are using social media to target our young people.
A report from 2010 showed that four of the top ten Irish Facebook pages were for alcohol brands.
By reducing the amount of alcohol consumption in Ireland, the Government have an opportunity to significantly improve the health and well-being of Irish people, reduce the caseload in our A&E units, and at the same time to address one of the major causes of anti-social behaviour on our streets.
I sincerely hope they make the right decision.
Brian Gormley
Chairperson Confederation of Student Services in Ireland
DIT
Rathmines
Dublin 6