Locnamon Bridie, trained by Paul Hennessy for Bill Chawke, came out on top in a thrilling finish to the final of the Christmas Oaks at Shelbourne Park on Saturday night.

The Rubberbandits, Pat Shortt and Edinburgh Festival-winner David O’Doherty are just three of the headline acts set to take to the stage later this month for the sixth Bulmers Comedy Festival in Clonmel.

When Owen McKenna’s Confident Rankin went around Curraheen in 28.25 in a trial last Friday he sent out a message that the Red Mills Irish Laurels is not going to be easily won.

UP TO 1,500 pubs have closed since 2001 due to Government taxation and regulation policies, publican bodies said yesterday.

A man accused of killing a drug dealer had kidnapped a Tallaght gang member on his behalf, the Dublin Central Criminal Court heard today.