The jury in the trial of a Louth woman accused of murdering her boyfriend in a drunken row on New Years Eve have been told that they have "ample scope for doubt" when considering their verdict.

The jury in the trial of a Louth woman accused of stabbing her boyfriend to death in a drunken row on New Years Eve has been told that she was a woman with a temper, prone to acts of violence.

A Waterford Councillor has hit out at the lack of Garda resources in the area following a petrol bomb attack on a house on New Year's Eve.

Fraudster businessman Breifne O’Brien has been jailed for seven years for running a Ponzi scheme which costs his victims millions.

The Ulster Unionists tonight rejected proposals by Dr Richard Haass to find a settlement on flags, parading and dealing with the North’s troubled past.

The resignation of Limerick City of Culture artistic director Karl Wallace and two of his team may be a “blessing in disguise”.

A new suspect is being questioned by murder squad detectives investigating the death of Monaghan teenager Jason McGovern, it was disclosed today.

Wayne Rooney has sensationally been dropped to the bench by Sir Alex Ferguson for Manchester United’s Premier League encounter with Fulham at Old Trafford.

It is feared the number of people killed on the roads will rise in the next few years, as Budget cuts are set to have an impact on road maintenance and repair work.

Water restrictions are set to be eased on some businesses for New Years Eve.

Further water restrictions were imposed across the country overnight as local councils struggled to cope with continued water shortages.

Homes across the country face another night of restricted water supplies as local authorities struggle to cope with burst mains and leaking pipes.

One of the men on trial in a €2.28m "tiger kidnapping" robbery case told gardaí he knew one of his co-accused and was buying a car from him at the time.

Searches are ongoing in Co. Wexford for a missing teenager.

A Dublin man who systematically raped and sexually abused the daughter of a family friend while she was aged between six and 12 years old has been given a 15-year sentence by Mr Justice Barry White.

A Dublin man has been found not guilty of killing his friend in a New Year 's Eve fight a jury in the Central Criminal Court has found.

Cocaine and champagne were consumed by New Years Eve revellers the night a man was murdered at Jurys Inn Hotel, Croke Park, a court has heard.

A man accused of murdering his friend at a New Year’s Eve celebration sent a text after the stabbing saying his friend had jumped on him and his "rat bird" had started it all.

Minutes before Karl Breen inflicted the three stabs wounds, which killed Martin McLaughlin, he was pictured on CCTV hugging and embracing his friend, a court has heard.

The Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) has given a qualified welcome to today’s High Court judgment in the 'Mr G' case, which recognised that an unmarried father has inherent rights in relation to his children.

TRAVELLER sisters Maria and Teresa Connors yesterday staged a spectacular double-wedding at a Limerick church.

IT is too early to talk of Chelsea’s renaissance, but on a day warm enough to suggest that spring is stirring the green shoots of recovery are beginning to peep through for Jose Mourinho.

Connacht have announced their squad ahead of their European Challenge Cup round six match against Bath Rugby at the Sportsground on Friday (KO 7pm).

Almost 350 people were arrested for drink-driving during the first week of the new year, according to figure published by the Gardaí today.

Connacht have today announced their side to play Munster at the Sportsground on New Years Eve (kick off 4pm).

Jude Law is so busy planning Christmas in South Africa that he only wants socks from family and friends.

Connacht have today announced the squad to face Magners League champions Ulster on St Stephen’s Day.

Boookmaker Paddy Power have made ex-Big Brother housemate Ray Shah their 2/1 favourite to dance his way to victory in a one-off charity showing of Jigs ‘n’ Reels on New Years Eve.

The Connacht Branch offices have sold out their allocation of tickets for New Years Eve Magners League clash with Munster (KO 4pm), but a limited number are still available from www.ticketmaster.ie.

The Leinster squad to face Munster in Thomond Park on Wednesday December 27th (KO: 3pm) has been announced.

Michael Cheika has announced an extended 27-man Leinster Squad to prepare for their Magner's League date with Munster on St Stephen's Day at Thomond Park.

Connacht have deferred their selection for Sunday's Magner's League clash with Munster in Thomond Park.

Singer Letoya Luckett was devastated after leaving r n'b group Destiny's Child - because she felt abandoned by her former bandmates.

GRAEME Souness’ uncertain position as Newcastle manager has become increasingly precarious after Scott Parker became the second key player in two days to go under the surgeon’s knife.

John Lennon’s Imagine has been voted England’s number one song – 25 years after his death.

Coach Michael Cheika has added Ronan McCormack, Adam Byrnes and Niall Ronan to the Leinster squad to travel to Bourgoin for their Heineken Cup return match on Saturday.

Singer songwriter Paddy Casey has just announced an extra Dublin date for New Years Eve in Dublin.

Subscribers of O2 sent a record seven million texts and picture messages on New Years Eve compared to 2.7 million sent last year according to the company.

The trial of a Dublin man accused of raping his niece several times has reached its closing stages in the Central Criminal Court.

A 36-year-old security guard who had a relationship with a 13-year-old girl and fathered her child has been jailed for two years by Judge Des Hogan at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

The search for two girls missing from he North has been called off after they turned up in the capital.

There are warnings that up to one in five bank machines could be switched off at the stroke of midnight on New Years Eve as the Euro currency arrives.

There are fears of mass confusion over the introduction of the Euro at midnight on New Years Eve next.