The developer behind Dublin’s Convention Centre and the head of Chadwick’s hardware are among those who have made personal donations to politicians.

Michael Chadwick is to leave Grafton Group — the Dublin-based international builders merchanting business he led for nearly 30 years — at the end of this year.

Grafton, the Dublin-headquartered builders merchanting and DIY retail group, is actively reviewing opportunities to expand its operational presence in western Europe.

FA Cup Fourth Round Replay

FA Cup Fourth Round

A man who stabbed to death his girlfriend and their six-year-old son will learn today whether his legal bid to inherit her estate has been successful.

Football star Lionel Messi and his father were ordered by a Spanish court today to appear for questioning in September as part of an investigation into tax fraud allegations.

From the old barracks in Ballincollig VMware is plotting to become one of the world’s largest companies by annexing a large portion of the $50bn (€38.8bn) cloud and virtualisation markets in the near future.

QPR 1 MK Dons 0

QPR manager Mark Hughes named a strong line-up for tonight’s FA Cup third-round replay against MK Dons.

MK Dons 1 QPR

NORWICH suffered a stunning 4-0 home defeat at the hands of npower League One leaders MK Dons as the three newly-promoted Premier League clubs exited the Carling Cup at the second-round stage last night.

Norwich 0 MK Dons 4

The Premier League will pay out record sums in TV money this season with the bottom club guaranteed at least £37m and the champions earning more than £57m.

Building materials and DIY group Grafton today posted pre-tax profits of €25.6m for full-year 2010, up 88% on the previous year.

Builders providers Grafton Group has announced the appointment of a new group CEO to succeed Michael Chadwick.

ALEX FERGUSON could splash the cash next month as he attempts to stiffen Manchester United’s bid for a fourth successive Barclays Premier League title.

RAFAEL BENITEZ has confirmed Liverpool will prioritise their bid to make a swift return to the Champions League over a tilt for Europa League glory.

Liverpool could offset the multi-million euro impact of their Champions League exit with an extended run in the Europa League.

MANCHESTER UNITED or Barcelona would cash in on a €110m windfall by becoming European champions in Rome tonight, according to football finance experts.

GRAFTON, the builders merchants and DIY group, said in the first four months of this year it was confronted with “the most challenging trading conditions in decades”.

THE deteriorating property markets and economic conditions in Ireland and Britain have severely affected financial performance at the Dublin-headquartered building materials/DIY group Grafton.

Building materials group Grafton has seen a 50% plunge in profits for the first half of the year, down from €106.4m to €53.4m.

A government minister said today Japan’s whaling fleet was heading towards New Zealand-controlled waters in Antarctica, in breach of an agreement to remain in Australian waters during this year’s whale hunt.

DEAN ASHTON found his scoring boots in stoppage-time as West Ham squeezed past Plymouth and into the fourth round of the Carling Cup last night.

Brand Beckham launches its first major United States advertising campaign this week, but experts have warned America could prove a tough nut to crack for the most marketable face in football.

The ISEQ index of Irish shares continued its downward trend this morning, falling 53.99 points to 9,457.98.

At today's Annual General Meeting of the Grafton group in Dublin, chairman Michael Chadwick, is set to announce a strong start to 2007.

DANNY HAYNES came off the bench to score twice as Ipswich beat their East Anglian rivals Norwich at Portman Road for the first time in eight years.

Stoke 2 Sunderland 1

Stoke 0 Birmingham 1

British MP George Galloway – favourite for eviction from the Big Brother house – was spared a Big Bill today when the Daily Telegraph newspaper lost its appeal over a libel action.

COCA-COLA Championship leaders Reading have completed the signing of Scott Golbourne for an undisclosed fee from Bristol City.

Stoke have agreed a permanent £100,000 (€146,000) deal for on-loan West Ham winger Luke Chadwick.

Building group Grafton has confirmed trading in the first four months of the year has been in line with expectations.

THE directors of building materials and DIY group Grafton received a 27% pay hike last year.

Everton striker James Beattie returns his old stomping ground on Sunday when the Toffees take on Southampton at St Mary’s.

Tonight's Premiership team news.

A knee injury will stop Everton’s new Spanish loan signing Mikel Arteta making his debut against Norwich in the Barclays Premiership tomorrow.

Everton midfielders Steve Watson and and Li Tie are unavailable for the FA Cup fourth-round clash against Sunderland.