A man who claimed he could no longer carry out manual labour and was unable to raise his arm above his head without pain after his car was rear-ended has had his case for damages thrown out.

The judge was shown Facebook pictures of the plaintiff participating in a 10km obstacle course, and threw out the case.

Solicitors who handle what eventually turn out to be set-up accidents may be contributing to fraudulent personal injury claims, a judge said today in what is the strongest criticism yet by the judiciary of some members of the legal profession.

Insurance companies have been accused of making hundreds of millions of euro while putting small businesses at risk of closure.

A six-year-old schoolgirl, who will be scarred for life after being “savagely attacked by a neighbour’s dog,” was yesterday awarded €40,000 damages in the Circuit Civil Court.

The fall-out from financial and claim irregularities at the country’s largest insurer RSA contributed to the firm recording pre-tax losses of €171.26 million last year.

RSA Insurance chief executive Stephen Hester said that the company will attract bids from other suitors after Zurich Insurance Group abandoned its £5.6bn (€7.74bn) offer for the British insurer.

London’s Ftse 100 collapsed below the 6000 mark yesterday as volatility hit markets across Europe again after a concerted sell-off among miners.

Senior officials from the Department of Finance and the Central Bank are to meet to discuss measures to address weaknesses in the loss-making insurance industry.

RSA Insurance is to appeal against the €1.25m award by the Employment Appeals Tribunal to former chief executive Philip Smith, stating that it fundamentally disagrees with the judgment and will seek redress through the courts.

Executives at RSA Insurance’s Irish unit wept as they recalled how their former boss, Philip Smith, pressured them, an employment hearing heard.

RSA Insurance said it will fight a constructive dismissal case filed by the former head of its Irish unit, who stepped down more than a year ago amid an accounting scandal.

Financial and claim irregularities at the Irish arm of RSA Insurance contributed to the firm recording pre-tax losses here of €257.6m last year.

World Twenty20 champions Sri Lanka eased to a 79-run victory over Ireland in the first of the two-match RSA Insurance one-day international series in Dublin yesterday.

RSA Insurance has hired former Royal Bank of Scotland chief executive Stephen Hester to lead the UK insurer, as it seeks to restore its reputation after a scandal at its Irish unit.

The chief executive of RSA insurance has resigned over issues with the firm's Irish subsidiary.

Philip Smith has resigned as the chief executive of RSA Insurance in Ireland.

Irish customers at RSA Insurance will not be affected after the company was forced to inject up to €83m into its Irish operations.

Royal & Sun Alliance (RSA Insurance) saw a 5% increase to £348m (€398m) in premiums underwritten in Ireland last year compared with 2011, according to its latest financial accounts.

Bargain hunters helped shares in under-fire Olympic security firm G4S steady today as the wider market lifted thanks to gains on Wall Street.

Cricket Ireland have launched an ambitious set of initiatives aimed at fulfilling their dream of becoming a full Test nation by 2020.

London's leading shares index closed above the 5,700 mark for the first time in nearly three months today but global growth fears continued to spook investors.

GARDAÍ made special arrangements yesterday to ensure a beautiful bride got to the church on time.

IRELAND’S cricketers have earned a €100,000 bonus for their heroics in stunning England at the World Cup.

London’s blue-chip share index failed to make headway today despite a recovery from bank stocks as fears over capital raisings eased.

The FTSE 100 slipped into the red today as a surprise rise in US benefit claims took the gloss off decent half-year profits from insurer Aviva.

THE insurance market will see some jostling for pole position following the €65 million acquisition by RSA Insurance of 123 Money.

Concerns over the fragility of the US economic recovery sent stocks tumbling on both sides of the Atlantic today.

A rebound among blue chip banks failed to lift the FTSE 100 Index today as stocks fell in the wake of a shock plunge in US home sales.

Ireland have awarded six full-time contracts to home-based players, while giving assistance for county stars.

The FTSE 100 Index enjoyed its second straight day of gains today as City dealing rooms got into the Christmas spirit.

Better news from the UK jobs market and a strong session for financial stocks ensured the London market remained in positive territory today.

London’s blue chip share index pushed into positive territory today after the Bank of England held steady on its monetary policy and financial firms climbed.

A huge surge for mining stocks lifted the FTSE 100 Index more than 2% higher today as investors put recent recovery doubts firmly to one side.

British investors were given a jolt today after new research showed signs of a stalling in the recovery of the manufacturing sector.

IRELAND will host England in One-Day cricket international at Stormont, Belfast, on Thursday August 27 in what organisers expect to be a sell out.

The FTSE 100 Index edged back into positive territory today despite weaker-than-expected official sales figures putting pressure on retailers.

The FTSE 100 Index tumbled 5% to a six-year low today after HSBC and insurance giant AIG sparked another crisis of confidence for world markets.

Financial stocks surged today after the Government unveiled details of its scheme to insure toxic debts worth hundreds of billions of pounds.

Ailing banks RBS and Lloyds led gains for the FTSE 100 Index today as the Government unveiled plans to insure toxic debts worth hundreds of billions.

The FTSE 100 Index finished the session just 1% lower today after a bail-out of the US car industry helped Wall Street markets open on the front foot.

Insurers made strong advances on the London market today as blue chip stocks regained their poise in a less volatile session.

The rally on the London market continued apace today as strong gains from banks and oil majors saw the FTSE 100 Index advance another 5.4%.

The FTSE 100 Index posted its first winning session of the week today as renewed optimism over the Fed's massive bail-out plan drove financial stocks higher.

The FTSE 100 Index was heading for its first positive session of the week today with financial stocks setting the pace.

Strong gains for oil and banking stocks saw the FTSE 100 Index make good progress today and close at another two-month high.

The FTSE 100 Index overcame a tentative start to post further gains today.

The FTSE 100 Index reached its highest point for nearly two months today as better-than-expected US growth figures cheered traders.

The FTSE 100 Index slipped into the red today after a raft of insurance firms endured a difficult session.