Three-year old Abi O’Donoghue had a big kiss and hug for her own pet dog Blackie on arriving home from hospital.

It may be a bone of contention, but even four-legged actors can get awards in Tinseltown - and six top dogs duly collected prizes at the inaugural Golden Collar Awards.

ROCK legend Eric Clapton parted with 70 of his guitars in a charity auction that drew hundreds of fans and aficionados, and broke sale estimates.

HOPEFULLY we can cease writing about the weather and concentrate on the racing side of things and this week sees the commencement of the Tyrur McGuigan Open 575 at Shelbourne and the Vetsearch Kennedy Cup at Limerick.

Anne Corcoran’s killer travelled to and from work with her husband for a number of months 20 years before attacking her.

Newcastle boss John Fletcher believes “any number of factors” will determine Jonny Wilkinson’s future at the Guinness Premiership club.

Highlanders and Otago captain Josh Blackie has continued the exodus from New Zealand after agreeing a deal to play in Japan.

Oscar-winning Western actor Jack Palance, who starred in Shane, Sudden Fear and City Slickers, has died.

Ireland endured a baptism of fire at the Rugby World Cup Sevens at Hong Kong's Happy Valley today.

The mayor of tiny Pitcairn Island – home to the descendants of the 18th-century Bounty mutineers – is among seven men accused in a string of sexual assaults in the isolated community dating back decades, court documents revealed today.

BRITISH rock star Eric Clapton’s treasured Blackie became the most expensive guitar to sell at auction yesterday, fetching a staggering £527,000 (€791,000).

Rock star Eric Clapton’s treasured "Blackie" became the most expensive guitar to sell at auction today, fetching a staggering €790,000.

A retired Zimbabwe High Court judge accused of corruption was freed on bail today by a magistrate who heard he was denied food, medication and access to lawyers and his family on the first day of custody.

In a showdown with the judiciary, the Zimbabwe government is to defy a judge’s order to jail the justice minister.

In a showdown with the judiciary, the Zimbabwe government is to defy a judge’s order to jail the justice minister.