The Dublin-based sports agency Horizon Sports which represents Shane Lowry had a positive swing in its fortunes last year even before the Clara, Co Offaly man’s runaway victory at the British Open.

A Pakistani takeaway delivery driver was shocked when he arrived at his destination to find a man standing beside the open boot of a car wearing a balaclava and pointing a gun at him.

Farmers descended on Co Offaly from IFA branches all over the country to hear the last IFA presidential and deputy presidential election debate.

A judge has warned warring members and former members of the Church of Scientology to “sit down and be reasonable” with each other if they want to avoid a massive legal costs bill.

In-form Shane Lowry returns to the US Open arena this week, no longer just happy to be there as he was on his debut three years ago but confident that he can compete in a major championship.

The families of four babies who died in one hospital in similar circumstances over several years suffered poor and appalling treatment by health chiefs.

Mourners who gathered in “sadness, shock, and revulsion” for the funeral of a murdered Co Offaly man were asked to check in on elderly or vulnerable neighbours.

Gardaí have said a man found dead in Edenderry, Co Offaly was last seen alive at around 11am last Thursday morning.

They look lovely and last so long — well looked after dairy show cows come up shining year after year, with top winners from 2010 taking the red rosettes again last Sunday at Tullamore Show.

Following the performance of our boxers at the Olympic Games, particularly Katie Taylor winning gold, we are all proud of them for their achievements.

An 80-year-old Co Offaly great-grandmother of 17 has proven it’s never too late to sit your driving test.

A LETTER printed recently in your paper suggested that the game of Gaelic football was too robust to be enjoyed.

SATURDAY

THERE were chaotic scenes at the traditional Smithfield Horse Fair in Dublin yesterday after the sound of several gunshots triggered a stampede among horses and members of the public.

WE are beyond petty party politics The current economic crisis is obviously a mess made by this government and by past governments alike. Now there are deafening calls for an immediate General Election in the best interest of the Irish people.

FORESTRY farmers have received approval for 1,500 hectares of new forestry planting for the current autumn planting season.

One of two brothers on trial for the murder of a Co Offaly farmer told gardaí he hit the dead man with the handle of a shovel, when he made a remark about his daughter who has Down's Syndrome.

The main witness in the trial of two brothers accused of murdering a Co Offaly farmer, has told the Central Criminal Court that he was “afraid” and “terrified” of the two accused.

The main witness in the trial of two brothers accused of murdering a Co Offaly farmer has told the Central Criminal Court today that they “turned on” the deceased after they “invited” him onto their land to get his heifer.

Ireland's newest golf star Shane Lowry is determined to make the right impression on and off the course in his new career.

THE problems confronting people with literacy difficulties were highlighted at the ploughing championships through the case histories of two men.

A 56-year-old Co Offaly woman is recovering in hospital this morning after being rescued from Croagh Patrick.

EU ministers hailed an emerging global trade deal last night, as compromise proposals revitalised deadlocked talks at the World Trade Organisation in Geneva.

Newly-elected Taoiseach Brian Cowen was tonight close to tears as he paid tribute to his family and his late father whose Dáil seat he inherited.

A Co Offaly farmer has been given a 30-month sentence by Mr Justice Peter Charleton at the Central Criminal Court for sexually assaulting his niece over a decade ago.

CATTLE breeders from Kerry, Roscommon, Clare, Cork, Donegal and Offaly were honoured at the 2007 RDS Champion of Champions awards presentation.

A Co Offaly farmer faces jail after being convicted by a jury at the Central Criminal Court on nine charges of sexually assaulting his now 29-year-old niece more than a decade ago.

A Co Offaly farmer faces jail after being convicted by a jury at the Central Criminal Court on nine charges of sexually assaulting his now 29-year-old niece more than a decade ago.

A Co Offaly woman has denied at the Central Criminal Court that she willingly had sex with her uncle when she was 17 years old.

Marts: A 22-month old Belgian Blue X bullock that produced a carcase weighing over 409kgs (900lbs) and grade “E” has been judged Supreme Steer champion in the 2007 Slaney Foods Carcase Competition — which had a prize fund of €5,600.

THE all-singing, all-dancing, fun loving members of the Abbeyknockmoy, Co Galway and Kilcloon, Co Meath clubs came out on top in the National Talent Competition in the Helix Theatre in Dublin last weekend.

Busy modern living is killing community spirit around the country, the Progressive Democrats claimed today.

Christmas could come early today for tens of thousands of people forgotten by Ireland’s Celtic Tiger boom when Finance Minister Brian Cowen unveils his first Budget.

NEARLY everybody seems to have a mobile phone these days.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Brian Cowen, says any settlement between Israel and Palestine will have to be a negotiated one.

A Co Offaly man used a homemade shotgun to shoot dead a 20-year-old man at a cider party in Birr, a prosecution lawyer alleged at a murder trial today.

I AM appalled at the treatment of some of our sports stars at present.

A German businessman has been sentenced to three and a half years for sexually abusing a six-year-old Co Offaly girl in 1985.

The man arrested in connection with last week’s murder in Belmont, Co Offaly is due to appear before a special sitting of Nenagh District Court this afternoon.