Newspapers are being inhibited from investigating and publishing on issues of public importance due to the Government’s failure to reform defamation laws.

Although he has made no public pronouncements, former Dublin star Paul Bealin is expected to remain in charge of the Wexford senior footballers for next season.

EMPLOYEES of 27 regional newspapers have shelved plans to strike this weekend. The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) confirmed yesterday that the strike action had been averted following the conclusion on Tuesday of their conciliation meeting at the Labour Relations Commission (LRC) with the Regional Newspapers Association of Ireland (RNAI) in a dispute over pensions.

Adrian Fenlon has confirmed the worst kept secret in Wexford GAA - that he has played his last game for the county's senior hurlers.

Seamus Murphy has confirmed that the 2006 season will be his second and final year in charge of the Wexford senior hurlers.