A High Court judge has found a female captain in the Defence Forces was excluded from a promotions process as a result of being on maternity leave in breach of equality implementation requirements of a European directive.

Windsor Park, winner of bumpers at Leopardstown and Galway, justified odds-on favouritism in last night’s finale, the Gowran Park Santa Train Maiden to complete a first and last double for Dermot Weld and Pat Smullen.

Aidan O’Brien’s American import Darwin got his career back on track with victory in the feature Belgrave Stakes at Fairyhouse yesterday.

Stephen Cadogan reports from the National Dairy Show at Millstreet.

HE was a man with towering intellect, who believed in duty, honour to his country and devotion to his family.

HISTORY books will chronicle the meeting of Queen Elizabeth II and President Mary McAleese on Irish soil as momentous, but for fashion watchers it was their outfits which grabbed all the attention.

THE old dear must have wondered if there had been a mix-up in scheduling.

Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary today branded Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny’s plans for a second international airport in Dublin as insane.

The battle to modernise the Defence Forces will continue this year with the delivery of new armoured personnel carriers and training aircraft, its chief of staff is expected to say today.

SIPTU’s Aer Rianta branch are refusing to withdraw the threat of strike action aimed at deliberately disrupting next week’s meeting of EU justice and home affairs ministers in Dublin.

The 75th anniversary of the first east-west crossing of the Atlantic by air will be marked this weekend by a repeat flight in a modern-day propeller aircraft.

CAPTAIN Kenny Cunningham insisted yesterday that he cannot understand the level of pessimism and negativity aimed at Mick McCarthy.

Plans for the visit of Prince Charles to Ireland tomorrow and Friday have been finalised.