The problem of homelessness in Ireland is getting worse as the year progresses, according to a leading homeless charity.

Forecasts of plummeting temperatures in the week ahead have caused concern for the wellbeing of homeless people sleeping rough on the streets.

There has been an 8% drop in the number of families in emergency accommodation.

The Government has billed the country's new budget as a national response to new risks and opportunities.

Defending champions Clonmel got their Munster Junior League campaign off to a winning start with a victory over one of their main challengers, Bandon.

A Wicklow solicitor has today been jailed for two years for stealing €130,000 from his clients.

WE may be at the very start of a World Cup cycle with three and a half years to shape an Ireland team to take on all comers in 2015 but the Six Nations squad unveiled by head coach Declan Kidney yesterday was very much in the ‘as you were’ mould.

ULSTER were dealt a major blow ahead of this afternoon’s must-win Heineken Cup trip to Bath, barnstorming flanker Stephen Ferris pulling out with a leg injury.

Armagh 3-23 Donegal 1-13, Letterkenny

AN injury picked up by BJ Botha in his surprise appearance for South Africa against Ireland last week has forced Ulster to make a change in the front row for tonight’s Magners League clash with Glasgow Warriors at Ravenhill (8 pm).

MUNSTER back-row forward Nick Williams faces at least six weeks out following knee surgery, but the Magners League champions will still have something to smile about for then new season.

Former Ireland skills coach Brian McLoughlin is set to be confirmed as the new Ulster head coach.

THE local authority does more than empty bins and supply water these days – it also hosts weddings.

IRELAND look certain to play as selected in tomorrow’s World Cup warm-up clash with Scotland at Murrayfield, despite a couple of slight injuries sustained in training yesterday.

Gavin Henson’s Test career will remain on hold for at least another six weeks as Wales are now certain to launch their RBS 6 Nations title defence without him.

GAVIN HENSON last night had his 72-day ban reduced by three weeks after a four-hour appeal hearing in Dublin.

Gavin Henson’s appeal against the ban he received for elbowing Leicester prop Alejandro Moreno will be heard by an independent committee on January 10.

Bus Eireann has been found to have indirectly discriminated against an employee, who has consequently been awarded €3,000.

A Dublin man died from multiple injuries three weeks after a motorbike crash while on holiday in Cyprus, an inquest heard today.

GLUM expressions in Donegal this week. Talk of the summer in ruins, that sort of thing. Psychic wounds re-opened as two players, Eamon Magee and Brian McLoughlin, were kicked off the panel for turning up ‘unfit to train’.

LAOIS have axed full-back Colm Byrne and right-corner forward Ian Fitzgerald for their Leinster SFC final replay with Westmeath at Croke Park on Saturday.

Donegal boss Brian McEniff has axed Eamon Magee and Brian McLoughlin from the Donegal squad following last Sunday's Ulster football final trouncing by Armagh.

All roads lead south today as Armagh and Donegal face off in the Ulster football final in front of a sell-out crowd at Croke Park.

Donegal have made one change from the side that shocked All-Ireland champions Tyrone in the semi-final for the Ulster final against Armagh on Sunday at Croke Park.

THE Cork selectors ended speculation of a major shake-up by making just one change in personnel from the team that lost to Waterford in the Munster final for Saturday’s All-Ireland SHC qualifier with Tipperary in Killarney.

Ilen Rovers, Cork 1-11 St Michael’s, Donegal 1-4

LEINSTER are considering taking legal action against the ERC (European Rugby Cup Ltd).

LEINSTER last night insisted they were within a few days of appointing a successor to Matt Williams after former England full-back Jon Callard turned down the opportunity to coach the province.

Three clubs – Saracens, Neath and Ebbw Vale – have been fined four-figure sums after breaching European Rugby Cup regulations relating to postponed games.

A three man ERC Disciplinary Committee will hear charges of misconduct brought against Neath, Ebbw Vale and Saracens at hearings in Dublin on Tuesday, April 8.

The man who died in a single vehicle road accident in Dublin yesterday evening has been named.