The Central Criminal Court also heard today that accused Paul Wells Junior asked gardaí to handcuff him in the district court as he was afraid he would attack his father Paul Wells Senior.

One of two boys accused of Anastasia Kriegel’s murder claimed that he tried to be considerate and not hurt her feelings when declining her offer of a relationship on the evening he is alleged to have killed her.

Degrading and inappropriate comments on social media are being blamed for the cancellation of a Drag Story Time event in Dublin.

There is a call on the Sports Minister to reimburse the Ireland team who have made it to the women's Hockey World Cup final.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has heavily criticised frontline gardai for rejecting the "specific findings" of the false breath tests investigation and attempting to wash their hands of responsibility for the affair, writes Fiachra Ó Cionnaith.

By Peter O'Dwyer

A man who died following a farm related accident in county Meath on Friday has been named.

The Health Minister James Reilly would get more co-operation from consultants if he worked with them to improve inefficiencies in public hospitals, according to a top consultant.

Former Fianna Fáil TD Ned O’Keeffe was released without charge after being questioned by gardaí over suspected fraud offences.

Wexford 3-18 Offaly 2-20

A consultant surgeon has warned that children will die because of the closure of operating theatres.

The head of mortgages at AIB, Jim O'Keefe, has said 4% of its customers are having trouble paying back their loans.

Waterford County secretary Tim O'Keefe has called for the number of counties who compete in the Sam Maguire to be cut by half.

Clonoulty Rossmore's John O'Keeffe has been chosen to start for Tipperary in Sunday's Munster SHC quarter-final against Cork in Thurles (throw-in 4pm).

Outgoing Fianna Fáil TD Ned O’Keefe has predicted that his party will end up with just 22 seats after all the votes are counted.

There are fresh calls with Fianna Fáil for Taoiseach Brian Cowen to resign after Cork TD Ned O'Keeffe said he has lost the confidence of the public.

Government-backed agencies will create 30,000 jobs next year, Minister for Enterprise and Trade, Batt O'Keeffe has claimed today.

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation Batt O'Keeffe confirmed today that a property tax will not be contained in Brian Lenihan's next Budget speech.

One hundred new jobs have been confirmed for Cork over the next 12 months by Eli Lilly.

Enterprise Minister Batt O’Keeffe today strongly rebuffed Fine Gael's criticism of the Government's employment strategy in the wake of the latest Live Register figures showing a record 450,000 people on the dole.

AIB is making €500m available to lend to small businesses to support them through difficult economic conditions.

Pharmaceutical giant Pfizer today announced plans to shut down three of its Irish facilities and reduce operations at a fourth, with the loss of 785 jobs.

Enterprise Minister Batt O'Keefe has said job losses at Quinn Insurance are likely.

Representatives of the Small Firms Association (SFA) today met with Enterprise Minister Batt O’Keeffe to outline key priorities for the sector and stress the importance of a supportive environment for small business in Ireland.

The Enterprise Minister Batt O'Keeffe has said he is committed to assisting any workers at Quinn Insurance who are made redudant.

A Fianna Fáil backbencher - and former junior Minister - has today launched another stinging attack on the new Financial Regulator.

Up to 300 new jobs are to be created in Co Cork.

There has been another slight increase in the number of people signing on.

The Government's bank bailout plan was given the green light by the Dáil last night, despite the massive cost to the taxpayer.

As the Taoiseach confirms that he is to reshuffle his Cabinet this week, Fianna Fáil TD Ned O'Keefe has said that all Government deputies will be vying for a job - because of the money.

The Education Minister Batt O'Keeffe has confirmed in the Dáil that grade inflation took place in colleges and universities around the country.

The Education Minister Batt O'Keeffe has launched an investigation to ensure no taxpayers' money was spent by the University of Limerick to build a home for its president.

A €22m grant scheme has been announced for the provision of laptops and projectors in primary schools.

A Government Minister says it is not the right time for an inquiry into what went wrong in Ireland's banking sector.

The Education Minister Batt O'Keeffe has refused to back calls for bishops named in the Murphy report to be removed as patrons of schools.

Education Minister Batt O'Keefe has urged teachers intending to engage in strike action later this month to think again, for the sake of pupils and parents alike.

The Minister for Education Batt O'Keeffe has dismissed speculation that the Junior Cert is to be scrapped.

Education Minister Batt O'Keefe has announced that construction work will begin on six new schools next spring.

WATERFORD SHC FINAL:

The Minister for Education is seeking meetings with business group IBEC and their high-tech division ICT to discuss concerns over the low-level of take-up of maths and science at Leaving Cert.

A youth who viciously punched and kicked a man and then escaped from a garda and continued to beat him will be sentenced next week at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

More than 3,000 primary schools are set to receive grant payments totalling €26m in the coming days, according to Education Minister Batt O'Keeffe.

Education Minister Batt O'Keeffe says no increased funding will be made available for substitution cover for primary schools.

Education Minister Batt O'Keefe says schools should consult the school community when drawing up policies on uniforms.

Education Minister Batt O'Keefe has revealed that third-level fees may be reintroduced despite the Government's previous promises to the contrary.

There is real concern in the Irish athletics camp over Eileen O'Keeffe's knee injury - the Kilkenny hammer thrower admitted today that she faces 'a battle for time' to be fit for her first Olympics.

A knee injury has robbed Irish hammer champion Eileen O'Keeffe of the chance to compete in the strongest ever throwing event held in Ireland.