Conflating a man’s character with one episode of poor judgment makes idiots of us all, says Áine Carroll.

The consumer watchdog has warned parents to make sure they purchase safety- approved costumes for their children after confirming it has seized and destroyed more than 700 imported Halloween products which could pose a public risk.

People looking for a mortgage are being warned not to be tempted by special offers from banks which may be masking a higher interest rate.

Mortgage holders are being told there is a price war on the way that could dramatically cut their costs.

Financial advice from Grainne McGuinness

Mortgage switching seems to be a key priority for Irish providers, with sweeteners such as cashback when you switch on offer from all the main providers. But is the reality of switching different to the impression sold in advertising?

The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) is examining the toys to see if they meet EU safety standards

Dear Gráinne, I’m going to a wedding soon and am conscious that couples these days prefer cash as a gift. I feel that’s a bit too cold though and am thinking of getting a voucher. I’ve heard some voucher cards have fees and charges attached to them. Also, how much is the going rate for wedding gifts these days? It is the daughter of a close family friend. Can you give me some options? — M Coughlan, Tralee, Co Kerry.

Alarm bells should always ring if you are contacted out of the blue, writes Gráinne McGuinness.

As hospitals brace themselves for industrial action, the country’s largest nursing union has called on the public to join in a major protest outside the Dáil today to highlight emergency department (ED) overcrowding.

After a series of false starts, a stroke unit at Cork’s biggest hospital is now to begin seeing patients in the New Year — nearly three years after its original opening date.

A stroke unit due to open in Cork last month after two years of delays will remain closed until at least September.

We may be in a crippling recession, but we’re having more babies than the rest of the EU.

NICHOLAS O’LEARY (Royal Cork Yacht Club) has received the Irish Sailing Association’s prestigious Achievement of the Year Award.

THE number of consultants in rehabilitation medicine in Ireland falls well short of the recommended minimum, a medical chief claimed.

MOBILE speed cameras have been saving lives since they were introduced just over a month ago, a senior Garda official has claimed.

SIOBHÁN O’BRIEN who has an acquired brain injury following a road accident wants other road users to know that it only took a split second for her life to be turned upside down.

HOUSEHOLDS struggling to cope with the financial pressures of Christmas because of recent budget cuts are being warned to avoid resorting to unlicensed moneylenders by the National Consumer Agency (NCA).

KILLER behaviour on Irish roads will be tackled over the Christmas period, road chiefs warned yesterday.

JUST one in 10 people seriously injured in road accidents who are admitted to the National Rehabilitation Hospital are ever able to return to work.