One of the big challenges facing the next mental health minister will be to select a team to devise a new blueprint for mental health services and to ensure community services are resourced, said a leading clinical director in mental health services.

Infertility can provoke stress which in turn can make conceiving even more difficult. Helen O’Callaghan talks to a cognitive behavioural therapist who has some helpful insights.

Wesley Burrows, the creator of RTÉ’s long-running series Glenroe, has died.

Clonlara 3-11

Clare SHC quarter-finals. Champions Cratloe are out of the Clare SHC, defeated yesterday at Cusack Park by Sixmilebridge, 1-20 to 1-19.

Tipperary confirmed last night that they will appeal Seamus Callanan’s red card from Sunday’s Allianz Hurling League quarter-final victory against Offaly.

Offaly 2-13 Leitrim 1-16

Longford 1-12 Waterford 1-10

The “irresponsible” selfie stunt on Cork’s landmark Shandon steeple could force the closure of its public viewing platform if a copycat craze develops.

Allianz FL Division 4 Round 2: Offally 0-13 Waterford 1-4: Waterford’s early season momentum hit the buffers in foggy and damp conditions at O’Connor Park yesterday afternoon as an early red card for midfielder Shane Ahearne left them hugely disadvantaged.

London 1-2 Offaly 0-9: Allianz Football League Division 4: New Offaly manager Pat Flanagan expects the Faithful County to embark on a promotion-winning campaign after holding off a spirited London revival at Ruislip to claim a perfect league start in Allianz NFL Division 4.

Dublin 0-17 Offaly 0-13: A magnificent seven points in a row from resurgent Dublin secured victory at Parnell Park and pole position in Group A of the O’Byrne Cup.

It began with a story this autumn on these pages — but no-one could have imagined the treasure trove of photographic memorabilia the Irish Examiner would help unearth.

With Netflix’s purchase of ‘Love/Hate’ for European audiences further cementing the success of Nidge and the gang, Ed Power looks back at the other great characters of Irish television.

A hurling association was founded in Australia in the decade before the GAA was formed according to an Irish historian.

A Co Meath mother has expressed health fears for her asthmatic daughter arising from her own brother’s plans to build a pet incinerator close to their family home.

IF your partner or child is depressesd, it can be tough to continue supporting someone who’s looking at life through such a dark lens.

Crescent College Comprehensive 21 Ardscoil Rís 7

Colin Keane, arguably the most talented young rider in the country, enjoyed the biggest success of his fledgling career when guiding Brendan Bracken to victory in the Topaz Mile Handicap at Galway last night.

Tyrone 1-27 Offaly 0-8

Offaly 1-11 Laois 1-8

In three separate, unrelated cases yesterday, gardaí arrested and charged three Corkmen with possession of child pornography.

St Vincent’s (Cork) 1-12 Moycarkey-Borris (Tipperary) 0-06

Accepting the use of donated eggs brings on a classic conflict between head and heart, reports Helen O’Callaghan

A FAMILY are desperately seeking to stop the forced administration of electric shock therapy on a 40-year-old man who is being involuntarily detained at Lakeview mental health unit in Naas, Co Kildare.

Nato has denied a Libyan government charge that it is intentionally using its air strikes to help rebel advances, saying it is sticking to its mandate to protect civilians.

A MUCH-maligned Offaly side produced one of the shocks of the All-Ireland SFC qualifier weekend with a deserved victory over Division One opponents Monaghan in Tullamore.

MAYFIELD’S eye for goals proved the difference at Riverstown yesterday where they scored three to see off the challenge of Glenville in a free-ridden second round Cork Premier IFC clash.

THE first national multi-disciplinary service dedicated to adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has opened in Dublin.

PSYCHIATRISTS in certain areas of the country are “ECT enthusiasts” who are using the treatment in cases where alternatives could be considered, it has been claimed.

Charlie Flanagan of Fine Gael is ahead of Brian Cowen's brother Barry after the first count in the Laois-Offaly constituency.

Dublin 3-13 Offaly 0-7

PEOPLE with mental health problems are “so out of it on drugs” that they cannot function properly or tap into therapeutic care, psychiatrist Dr Ivor Browne has said.

A 75-YEAR-OLD woman who remains in a psychiatric hospital 58 years after she was involuntarily detained following a rape has spoken out about her life in a mental hospital.

DOCTORS need to sit down with people who feel they have been abused and harmed in the mental health system and see how it can be changed for the better, the clinical director of the West Cork mental health service has said.

IRISH nationals in Haiti yesterday told of the horrific impact of the massive earthquake.

THREE penalties from James Arlidge were enough to earn the Dragons a valuable Magners League victory in Edinburgh.

Tullamore man Peter Bracken has signed a four-month, contract with Newport-Gwent Dragons.

Galwegians 15 Dungannon 13

KYRAN BRACKEN believes England’s discipline problem stems from a lack of on-field leadership – and he warned it is not a problem that can be addressed overnight.

FORMER Ireland A prop Peter Bracken is hopeful that his career can be relaunched by a mid-season move from Bristol to Harlequins.

SOME of the country’s most vulnerable children may be left without vital healthcare and support services as a result of HSE budget cutbacks.

Nathan Bracken’s five-wicket haul inspired Australia to a comfortable 128-run victory over an out-of-sorts Sri Lanka at the Sydney Cricket Ground.