Gardaí had an unusual situation in Dublin on St Valentine’s night when they were called out to sort out an awkward bird.

Dublin manager Jim Gavin was magnanimous in defeat as he reflected on his side's surprise 3-14 to 0-17 All-Ireland SFC semi-final loss to Donegal.

One of the country’s biggest suspected drug importers is being questioned in connection with the third largest heroin seizure in the history of the State.

Six hundred workers in South Dublin County Council are downing tools today in a row over pay cuts.

Jim Gavin has been confirmed as the new Dublin senior football manager tonight at a meeting of the Dublin County Board.

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

Senior drug workers have praised gardaí in seizing 15kg of heroin in the largest haul of the drug in almost four years.

A WEST Cork retail store has been ordered by the Equality Tribunal to pay €15,000 compensation to an employee for failing to accommodate her return to work following an illness.

ONE outraged member of the public has put the phrase “you can’t put a price on happiness” to the test by bidding a massive €5,200 for the right to destroy Seán FitzPatrick’s repossessed BMW.

IT’S an opportunity too good to miss — a once in a lifetime, couldn’t-pass-it-up chance to get back at one of the bankers who broke the country.

NEARLY six out of 10 parents who underwent a positive parenting course did not see their children’s behaviour as a problem six months later, new research has shown.

A single mother who agreed to pick up a drugs package from her local An Post sorting office for €200 has been given a six-year sentence which will be suspended from December on strict conditions.

CRH AMERICA, the US unit of Clondalkin based building materials maker CRH, plans to sell 10-year notes in a benchmark offering as soon as this week, according to a person familiar with the transaction.

COMMUNITY activists yesterday expressed delight following the seizure of a massive heroin haul in Dublin and the arrest red-handed of a wholesale drugs supplier.

Six catering businesses were served with Closure Orders last month because of sub-standard hygiene, food safety officials confirmed today.

The draws have been made for the 2007 RE/MAX Towns and Metropolitan Cup competitions.

Today will see Ballyboden clubman Stephen Hiney pull on a Dublin jersey for the first time since July 2005, as the capital side take on the Dubs Stars in the annual end-of-year clash.

ST VINCENT’S, with the Nivea for Men SuperLeague trophy in the bag, will be chasing the double this weekend when the Division One league champions take on Clondalkin Lakers on Sunday with their sights on a place in the Easter Monday final.

Laois' 2003 All-Star defender Tom Kelly has ended his stint with Dublin club Rounder Towers, Clondalkin, and is returning to his native county to re-join St. Joseph's.

Young wing forward Eoin Moran has been ruled out of Dublin's opening NHL Division 2A clash with Derry on Sunday.

Paul Curran is to manage Round Towers Clondalkin for the 2006 season, in what will be the former Dublin defender's first full-time coaching role.

Dublin midfielder Darren Homan is a doubt for next Saturday's All-Ireland SFC quarter-final replay with Tyrone due to a back spasm.

Government officials are investigating allegations of bullying, harassment and intimidation of workers at an IT firm in Dublin, it emerged today.

Schools need to become more involved in personal education to reduce teenage pregnancies, a community group said tonight.

MERGERS and acquisition deals involving Irish companies soared in 2004 to €10.4 billion, up 33%.

Irish packaging group Clondalkin has sold a €170m high-yield, 10-year bond which will give a yield of 8%.

Mardyke UCC Demons 76 Dart Killester 67

MARDYKE UCC Demons are rated as one of the best junior teams ever to come out of Cork and if they cross paths with either the defending champions, Shamrock Rovers, or Dart Killester in the final of the ESB Men’s Junior Cup at the ESB Arena tomorrow night, then they could provide the game of the weekend.

Heiton, building materials and owner of home improvement outlet Atlantic Homecare, has acquired Waterford-based plumbing firm Paddy Power and Company for a reported €5m.

Forthcoming club and schools fixtures from around Leinster.

This weekend's junior rugby fixtures in Leinster