A woman of my acquaintance remembers lying in the hospital labour ward in the aftermath of a particularly difficult birth — elated and exhausted.

The Health Minister has asked his department to engage with the HSE to establish how four consultant obstetricians at a Kilkenny hospital have “decided unanimously” that their unit is not a suitable location for abortion services.

Four consultant obstetricians at St Luke’s Hospital, Kilkenny, among them an anti-abortion campaigner, have written to GPs in the region to advise that termination services are not available in the hospital.

Republic of Ireland Under-18s lost 4-0 to Turkey in Istanbul today in Andy Reid's first game in charge.

A woman who was in labour drove her car into a roundabout to grab the attention of motorists.

A convicted killer and registered sex offender whose sexual assault of his former partner was likened to a rape with a machete has been jailed for 13 years.

A convicted killer and registered sex offender whose sexual assault of his former partner was likened to "a rape with a machete" has been jailed for 13 years.

Having a baby can be a wonderful experience, but it often brings a whole new range of medical issues for the mother, writes Naoise Coogan.

THE family of a disabled Kerry man have issued a heartfelt plea for the return of his quad bike, taken from outside a Killarney apartment on Sunday night.

Kildare give competitive starts to 2002 minor captain Michael Foley from Athy at midfield and his 2003 counter-part, Moorefield’s Ross Glavin, at full forward for Sunday’s Allianz NFL tie against Derry in Newbridge.