Rat infestations, blocked sewers, substandard housing, lack of play areas — a report on Traveller accommodation in Galway city and county paints a bleak picture of the living conditions.

Irish backpackers are being warned they face losing their visas because of a sharp rise in violence on the streets of Perth in western Australia.

Embattled Taoiseach Bertie Ahern started his General Election fightback from the steps of Dublin’s GPO today.