Just over half of the 3,063 children placed in care in Cork and Kerry over a 10-year period were placed there against their parents’ wishes.

Almost 40 UCC academics last night welcomed the decision to withdraw an invitation to British far-right leader Nick Griffin to take part in a university debate on free speech.

THE Government’s immigration policy is still failing adults and children residing here, and upcoming legislation might only complicate matters further, a conference heard yesterday.