THIS week figures showed that farmland bird populations in Ireland and across Europe are at their lowest levels since records began.

FIANNA FÁIL met their long-deserved Waterloo in February but even that denouement may not have prepared some of the party’s neanderthal hardcore for the idea that they would be wasting time and very scarce resources by nominating a candidate to contest October’s presidential election.

THERE have been more than a few red herrings thrown into the debate about what has become known as mortgage forgiveness — as if the people in trouble had committed a crime by trying to put a roof over their heads.

OUR inescapable economic crisis made its usual, disheartening contribution to the headlines yesterday.

POLICE forces around the world admit that, if they are lucky, they manage to intercept just 10% of the narcotics drug smugglers move across national borders.

EVERY revolution has its casualties and the fate of deposed tyrants may not always be a priority for those who deposed them.

THERE are 777,321 private residential mortgage accounts held in this state involving something around €115 billion.

HUNDREDS of thousands of young Irish citizens will return to primary or second level schools this week.

THE dramatic increase in the number of women seeking help for domestic violence is alarming.

AS parents know, the early days of a child’s education are important for their growing up and preparation for life.