Accumulated profits at the promotions firm owned by one of Ireland’s top rugby stars, Johnny Sexton, raced ahead last year to €225,188, new figures show.

France’s retirement protest strikes turned violent today as youths clashed with riot police in cities across the country.

French commuters squeezed on to limited public transport and fought for rare parking spots today as a second round of strikes against President Nicolas Sarkozy's plan to raise the retirement age from 60 to 62 hobbled trains, planes and schools across France.

French union members protested throughout the country today at the government's latest effort to encourage people to work more than the standard 35-hour week.

Transport networks in France began returning to normal this morning, after striking workers ended a nine-day walkout protesting president Nicolas Sarkozy’s retirement reform plans.

Long-awaited negotiations with striking transport workers began today, the eighth full day of a walkout which has paralysed train services throughout France.

French unions are mounting a sixth day of nationwide transport strikes today, despite signs the movement is running out of steam and heading towards negotiations.

French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin has been sidelined. President Jacques Chirac has been forced into a subtle switch of loyalties to save face. And the two leaders’ mutual rival, Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy, is now at centre-stage.

FRANCE’S beleaguered leadership last night received a boost after rail unions raised hopes that a crippling strike would end.

French union leaders said they were satisfied with concessions offered by the national rail operator SNCF, raising hopes for an end to a strike that disrupted train services today.

PARIS’S bid to host the Olympics was yesterday overshadowed yesterday by a massive strike which hit public transport.