A survival plan for Ladbrokes bookmakers in Ireland has been approved by the High Court.

Fianna Fail will focus on childcare policy ahead of the party’s Ard Fheis this week, Munster’s Anthony Foley has dismissed claims that Paul O’Connell has been linked to French side Toulon, and woman opens fire in a McDonald’s when staff failed to give her bacon in her burger.  These are some of the latest and most read news stories on irishexaminer.com this morning.

Ladbrokes Ireland has been placed into examinership, throwing the future of hundreds of jobs into doubt.

A sparkling reappearance from Ladbrokes Ireland Fortria Chase winner Twinlight was the highlight of trebles for the formidable combination of Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh at Navan yesterday.

Henry de Bromhead aims two classy performers at the Ladbrokes Ireland Fortria Chase at Navan on Sunday as he bids to continue his flying form.

The economic recovery has so far failed to generate a positive bounce in the fortunes of Ladbrokes here, with increased competition in the betting market contributing to a 60% annualised drop in its Irish profits in the first half of the year.

Big payouts to punters betting on soccer results dragged first quarter revenues, at Ladbrokes Ireland, down by nearly 13%.

THE Irish division of British bookmaker Ladbrokes slumped into the red last year recording a pre-tax loss of just over €4.2 million according to accounts recently filed with the Companies Office.

BRITISH bookmaker Ladbrokes has reported significant year-on-year gains in third-quarter operating profit and revenue, but has said the performance in its Irish division has remained flat.

BRITISH bookmaker Ladbrokes hasn’t ruled out the prospect of further expansion in the Irish market, with the group’s new management happy with its under-performing operations here.

A WAR of words broke out in Leinster House yesterday when leading horse trainer, John Oxx, accused the chief executive of bookmaking firm Paddy Power plc, Patrick Kennedy, of ‘disdain’ towards the Irish racing industry.

IT HAS been a highly encouraging week in the face of the economic recession, with the Irish Derby sponsorship secured and the continuation of two other classics confirmed.

CONOR COUNIHAN is to be reappointed as Cork senior football coach at tonight’s Cork County Board meeting.

Following a flurry of bets on Michael Bond becoming the new Galway hurling manager, bookmaker Ladbrokes has closed the book on the market.

Ladbrokes plc today announced its full year results for the year ended 31 December 2007, revealing an increase in operating profit of 43.6% at €26.3m.

Ladbrokes has become the largest bookmaker in the North following the acquisition of Eastwood Bookmakers for a consideration of £117.5m (€157.5).

Investment in services and reputation management will be key factors for Irish companies wishing to sustain profitability in the future, a UK customer services expert says today.