When gardaí called to the scene of a late-night disturbance at a Kerry hotel, they found a man in an injured state in a corridor with what appeared to be his guts hanging out of his torso.

It’s meant to be a landmark religious occasion, but First Holy Communion could double as a milestone in a child’s economic education if canny parents intervene.

Shoppers made a beeline for retailers Aldi yesterday as Holy Communion dresses went on sale for just €24.99.

On a picture perfect spring day in 2009, Spain’s Princess Cristina and her husband held a First Communion celebration bash at their modernist Barcelona mansion with drinks and nibbles served from huge party tents on the sprawling grounds. The cost: €4,591.

One way to break the ‘big day out’ mentality is for the parish to play a big role in celebrating our sacraments, says Fr Paddy Byrne

The average family amount spent on First Holy Communions has fallen by one-quarter to €744, according to a survey.

A Fine Gael TD has said it was “legitimate” to table a Dáil question asking if a drug dealer would be granted compassionate release from prison to attend a niece’s Communion.

A WICKLOW native who raped a 13-year-old girl at a First Communion celebration after plying her with alcohol has been jailed for nine years.

THE opportunity to create a greater choice of schools for parents was lost during the boom, a Catholic education leader has claimed.

CHILDREN celebrating their First Communion are likely to receive more money than their counterparts last year, while the day will end up costing parents more, despite the recession.

GARDAÍ in Limerick are closely monitoring a major regrouping of the leadership of the notorious McCarthy Dundon gang.

IT’S a huge day in any child’s life. But First Communion has suddenly become an even bigger event for all the wrong reasons.

EDUCATION Minister Mary Coughlan has said she has no plans to issue guidelines or direct schools to make uniforms less expensive despite the pressures on some families to meet the costs.

A GROUP of Limerick students are getting an early taste of the business world and reaping the rewards of a greeting card venture — all through Irish.

Sinn Féin’s new official role in policing in the Republic of Ireland is another sign of the party’s intention to back Northern Ireland’s police, it was claimed today.