Last Sunday they were in their local church, full of excitement and energy as they helped their grandmother collect leaflets and tidy up; yesterday they were buried side by side in the graveyard outside as their mother Kathleen, other family, friends, and community looked on.

Two young brothers who were so close they shared a bed were buried side by side today as their father appeared in court charged with their murders.

Ireland’s newest and youngest Catholic bishop has used his appointment to weigh into the abortion controversy.

A total of 18 allegations of sexual abuse were made against 10 priests in the Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin over the past 37 years.

The "spiritual Olympics" of the Catholic Church will be staged in Ireland next week, attracting thousands of pilgrims from around the world.

ONE of the country’s oldest newspapers faces “the proposed culling of half the total 24 jobs” after trade union Unite yesterday said its proposals “have been rejected by management”.

A senior Fine Gael minister has insisted that there has been no direction given to councillors to block David Norris' bid to get on the ballot paper for the presidential election.

LEADERSHIP distinction awards were presented to 54 Macra members during the Bank of Ireland-sponsored county officer training.

A Fianna Fail County Councillor, who has been threatening to quit the party, has said he has no faith in its leader Micháel Martin.

A POLITICAL appointee by Tánaiste Mary Coughlan to a state board has said he will not accept the €8,250 annual fee and suggests others should follow suit.

THERE are fears one of the country’s top provincial newspapers, the Limerick Leader, will have its operations scaled back if it is printed outside the country by its British owners.

A Dublin man stole €850 in an armed robbery at a supermarket minutes before he was stabbed to death the Central Criminal Court heard today.

Carlow lost for the first time in this year's Christy Ring Cup as Westmeath scored a 4-11 to 2-15 win over the Barrowsiders to qualify for the August 5 final at Croke Park.

Brendan Bolger's reign as London hurling manager got off to a losing start in Tralee this afternoon as Kerry took a 3-10 to 1-13 win in NHL Division 2B.

Down gained revenge for their Ulster SHC semi-final defeat at the hands of Antrim last month by beating the Saffrons in their Christy Ring Cup opener this afternoon.

Kildare 4-12 Kerry 1-17

Doon CBS 1-6 Coláiste Spioraid Naoimh 0-9

Doon C.B.S.1-12 Abbey C.B.S.2-7

BULLYING can be the sole factor in suicide among teenagers, a conference on the problem heard yesterday.

CARLOW have appointed former Kildare player Mick Condon as manager of their intercounty senior football side.

THE Taoiseach and Justice minister were among the guests at a special ceremony installing the new bishop of Kildare and Leighlin.