IT is a considerable achievement that last year’s death toll on our roads was the lowest since records began more than 50 years ago. Though 240 people tragically lost their lives, and many, many more were seriously injured, the 2009 figure was a considerable reduction on the previous year’s toll of 279.

THE 92 years of Cardinal Cathal Daly’s life touched both extremes of the influence of the Catholic Church in Ireland.

THERE can be few situations more distressing than the prospect of losing your home. Being turned out on the side of the road, put out of the house where you and your partner planned to build your family’s future might unnerve the best of us.

MUCH of the last decade was as enjoyable and as fulfilling as anyone could wish. Then reality called.

At this time of year, the State Papers inevitably fill much newspaper space. Such material is 30 years old, but it is news because it has only just been released.

In the first 10 months of this year, 3,366 people were jailed for failing to pay fines. This is a 56% increase on the 2,154 people who were jailed for defaulting on fines during all of 2008.

The year 1979 was one of great historical significance, but that is hardly apparent from the State Papers released today.

Since the downturn in the economy, the level of welfare fraud has increased alarmingly.

IN our editorial of 24 December we stated that in 1993 Bishop James Moriarty had “learned the priest identified as Fr Edmondus in the Murphy report was sexually abusing children in the Dublin diocese.”

Cork County Manager Martin Riordan has warned that his overtime budget has been cut by 50% and this has resulted in cutting the grit that would normally be put on the roads in icy conditions.