The Former members of Boyzone have joined forces for the first time in five years to raise funds for two leading Irish charities.

STUDENTS and disability groups in Galway presented a petition to Minister Éamon Ó Cuív last night demanding the Government introduce rights-based legislation for people with disabilities.

TWO children with a language disorder are at school for the first time, thanks to the generosity of a local school principal.

STARS from Coronation Street and a host of well-known Irish personalities came together at the weekend to help ex-Boyzone singer Keith Duffy raise €80,000 for autistic charities.

DISABILITY groups protested last night in the room where the first Dáil affirmed the “equal right and equal opportunity” of every citizen.

I WISH to highlight for your readers the apparent lack of concern which the Government is currently displaying with regard to the needs of the intellectually disabled people.

DISABILITY groups yesterday called on the Government to provide an extra €20 million in emergency funding to tackle the growing crisis in services for the mentally handicapped.

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern was yesterday accused of gross hypocrisy by providing millions of euro for the Special Olympics while the Government is failing to meet the basic needs of disabled people.

The Taoiseach Bertie Ahern is expected to face protests at the Mansion House in Dublin later today when he launches the European Year for People with Disabilities.

GROUPS representing the mentally handicapped are to stage a protest outside Taoiseach Bertie Ahern's launch of the European Year of the Disabled tomorrow over cutbacks in services.

MORE than 600 parents are expected to have their children vaccinated with single doses of the controversial measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccines when a private company holds its first clinic in Dublin over the coming months.

Government attempts to rush through the Education for Persons with Disabilities Bill have been described as 'an insult'.