UNDER pressure fromanti-abuse campaigners, the Catholic Archdiocese of Boston has been forced to confirm that three Irish priests accused of abusing children, including the notorious Brendan Smyth, worked there in the past.

Handel’s Messiah will come to life in Dublin’s historic cultural quarter where it was first performed more than 260 years ago, it was revealed today.

Bus Eireann said today it would not be held to ransom by private school bus operators who are threatening to strike at the start of the new term.