IT IS difficult not to have at least a smidgen of admiration for anyone who commits to a life as a cleric in these pluralist, disinterested and unbelieving times.

ON A WEEKEND when two people were shot dead in Dublin — one reportedly an innocent bystander murdered just because he was a witness — any proposal that will strengthen the hand of the gardaí in the fight against crime is to be welcomed.

THE funeral of 105-year-old Dan Keating took place in Castlemaine, Co Kerry, yesterday. He was believed to have been the last survivor of the Irish War of Independence.

AS HOUSE prices soared members of the Construction Industry Federation made lots and lots of hay while the sun shone.

DR TONY RYAN was that rarest kind of man. Dr Ryan, who will be laid to rest today, had global and decades-long perspectives.

GARDA COMMISSIONER Noel Conroy yesterday announced a range of reforms designed to strengthen the force’s hand in its fight against crime.

THOUGH fans of slapstick may be entertained the rest of us should again ask ourselves what have we done to deserve them.

ALL TOO often paying into a pension scheme is a blind act of faith, like throwing pennies into a deep, dark wishing well.

THE Special Olympics opened in China yesterday.

Ireland has moved up the rankings in the European Consumer Health Index, which looks at the quality of healthcare across Europe from the consumer’s perspective.