- NEWS
Martin wades into abortion debateAs the Dáil committee hearings continue on the abortion bill, Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin has waded into the debate saying it is important that Christian believers "be, and seen to be, on the side of life, especially when life is most vulnerable".
Payment cuts see families pay rent shortfallLimits on rent supplement payments set by the Government are forcing thousands of families to make undeclared top-up payments to landlords to secure places to live.
- WORLD
Anger as North Korea launches another missileNorth Korea fired a short-range missile from its east coast, a day after launching three more of these missiles, a South Korean news agency said.
How Star Trek predicted the futureWHEN Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry first dreamed up the concept of a television show based in the unexplored universe of Outer Space in 1964, the world was a very different place.
- BUSINESS
Warnings over future of eurozoneThe eurozone is heading towards a break up unless there are moves towards much closer political and fiscal union, according to chief economist with State Street Global Advisers, Chris Probyn.
Bruton defends corporate tax rateIreland will be able to maintain its current corporation tax code in the face of international pressure to prevent multinational corporations avoid paying their fare share of tax, Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton said yesterday.
- SPORT
Mayo’s statement of intentGalway 0-11 Mayo 4-16 Five minutes to go in Salthill yesterday and James Horan was still cajoling his men to sew it into Galway.
Wilkinson inspires Toulon to gloryASM Clermont Auvergne 15 Toulon 16 Not for the first time this season, a matchday performance and the result have made a mockery of the statistics.
- LIFESTYLE
What Lenny Abrahamson did nextLENNY Abrahamson has directed three feature films: Adam & Paul, Garage and What Richard Did.
Why do women love to dress up?Trying on clothes, said Ewart, produced "sensations which bring deep peace and perfect contentment" to the female mind.
15-18C
Live Blogs
- We have no upcoming events at the moment. Please check 'Recent Events' tab for past events
Breaking stories
Chelsea’s Lampard signs deal — to write children’s books
Footballer Frank Lampard has finally signed a new deal — unfortunately for Chelsea fans it is with a publisher to write children’s books.
By Robert Dex
The midfielder, who is out of contract at the west London club at the end of this season, is writing a series of books, called Frankie’s Magic Football, for children aged five and over. Publishers Little Brown said the books will follow the adventures of school boy Frankie, his football-loving friends, and pet dog Max.
Lampard said: “I first had the idea of Frankie and his Magic Football when reading stories to my own children.
“Sport and reading are two essentials for us at home, so I decided to make up my own football stories and adventures.
“The characters are loosely based on friends and team mates I’ve played with over the years.
“I am delighted that Little Brown liked the stories as much as my children and will be publishing the Frankie’s Magic Football series.”
The first book, Frankie Versus The Pirate Pillagers, will be published in June followed by two more this year and another two in 2014.
Lampard’s publishing deal was handled by agents Neil Blair and Zoe King who also represent JK Rowling.
They said the books were “full of loveable characters on wacky adventures” and destined for “great things”.
Lampard is not the first footballer to venture into writing fiction. Arsenal star Theo Walcott has written a series of children’s books and former England manager, Terry Venables, co-wrote a series of crime novels.