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.

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.

Proceedings between Bank of Ireland and former Irish rugby star Frankie Sheahan with his brother Joseph has opened before the High Court today.

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

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

The kind of excuses people make for failing to pay their television licence would probably make for good reality TV show.

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 man who carried out a violent and unprovoked attack on a random stranger has avoided jail today.

Investigations are continuing this morning into the double murder of a mother and daughter in Kerry.

Justice Minister Alan Shatter said today that the practice of slopping out at Mountjoy Prison in Dublin will be phased out by the end of the year.

A 1,000-strong congregation burst into spontaneous applause last night after hearing heartfelt tributes to a mother and daughter brutally murdered at the weekend.

Children living with a mother who suffers from depression are more likely to miss school.

A 13-year-old boy has been charged with second-degree murder over the death of his five-year-old half-sister after he told investigators he repeatedly struck her with wrestling moves imitated from TV.

North Korea has angrily denied a report its ruler used Adolf Hitler's memoir as a leadership guide, threatening to kill the authors of the report.

The head of the Irish Bank Officials Association claims that bonuses to senior executives are distorting CSO statistics which indicate rises for financial workers.

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.

Four counties have been warned they risk having funding withheld if they don't devise a managers' charter.

SUDDENLY, Jake White's prediction of doom for the British & Irish Lions should they lose Saturday's first Test against Australia possesses extra foreboding.

Human rights themes are again to the fore at the ICCL awards, writes Pádraic Killeen

The Treaty City is hoping for a financial bonanza if it lands the 2018 event, writes Jonathan deBurca Butler

Cork forward Stephen Moylan says he and his teammates intend to "step up to the plate" following a devastating run of illness and injury.

Designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana have been found guilty of massive tax evasion in Italy.

Six out of 10 employees have been bullied at work but most are too frightened to report it, it has emerged.

Proceedings between Bank of Ireland and former Irish rugby star Frankie Sheahan with his brother Joseph has opened before the High Court today.

Did you hear the one about the pimp, the prostitute and the war criminal? It's a national joke, according to left-wing TD Clare Daly.

A goalkeeper who was shot in the head during a match only realised he'd been hit by a bullet after finishing the match.

For primary school principal Michael Daly, news of more cuts to special needs provision appears to impact like an axe taken to the household budget.

Designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana have been found guilty of massive tax evasion in Italy.

Swimming has been banned at a former blue flag beach in Co Cork due to excessive E.coli levels while the public has been warned of "potential risks" at three other bathing spots, including two current blue flag beaches.

Do it together and it's harmless, do it alone and it's criminal, says Suzanne Harrington