MICHEÁL MARTIN was first out of the blocks after the Fianna Fáil leadership became vacant — announcing his candidacy for the position and then watching as a steady stream of TDs declared support for him.

Tánaiste Mary Coughlan said today that European funding for people in Limerick who lost their jobs in Dell will begin to be drawn down this week and next.

THE owner of South’s bar in Limerick last night offered to act as peace broker between Defence Minister Willie O’Dea and Shannon lobbyists John Fahey and Geraldine Morrissey following a verbal clash last Saturday over the minister’s absence from the recent Dáil debate on Shannon.

LIMERICK TDs yesterday called for greater communication between local gardaí and detention centres following claims that young offenders are causing havoc by committing crimes in the city while out on temporary release at weekends.