Counselling is being provided to students at a rural Co Offaly school after an 11-year-old pupil died yesterday morning in a road accident.

Lugging stuffed schoolbags is uncomfortable and could even damage your child. Deirdre Reynolds gets some practical advice on lessening that load.

PROBLEMS like leaky roofs, backed-up toilets and missing slates may become a major issue for primary school principals following a decision to axe a special “repairs” grant from the end of this month.

The disgraced lecturer, Dr Niall McElwee, who resigned from his post after being charged with sexual offences against three teenage girls, worked part-time in a home for abused and disadvantaged children in Galway.