Some 220 Magdalene laundry survivors from as far away as Australia and the US are set to attend a historic two-day event next month to enable them to meet and talk to each other.

Cliff Richard and X Factor judge Louis Walsh have offered support to the brother of singer Dana Rosemary Scallon as he threatens legal action against police and the media for their handling of sex abuse allegations.

Former presidential candidate and Eurovision song contest winner Dana Rosemary Scallon has denied claims by her sister and a niece that she defamed them when asked about allegations of sexual abuse made against Ms Scallon’s brother John.

It is accepted that ‘best practice’ for the wellbeing of a child, its parents and society is for that child to be raised in a family with its biological parents.

Eurovision Song Contest winner and former Irish presidential candidate Dana Rosemary Scallon broke down in tears as her brother walked free from court after he was cleared of historic sex abuse charges.

John Brown, the brother of Dana Rosemary Scallon, has been cleared of two charges of historic sexual abuse.

A jury is continuing to consider its verdicts for a third day in the sex abuse case against the brother of Eurovision Song Contest winner and former presidential candidate Dana Rosemary Scallon.

A jury is continuing to consider its verdicts in the sex abuse case against the brother of Eurovision Song Contest winner and former presidential candidate Dana Rosemary Scallon.

A jury has been sent out to consider its verdicts in the sex abuse case against the brother of Eurovision Song Contest winner and former presidential candidate Dana Rosemary Scallon.

Eurovision Song Contest winner and former presidential candidate Dana Rosemary Scallon covered up her brother’s sexual abuse of two under-age girls for decades, a court has been told.

Former presidential candidate and MEP Dana Rosemary Scallon broke down in tears in a London court as she refuted allegations she had covered up sex abuse allegations made against her brother 30 years ago.

The people of Ireland are being dispossessed of democracy and our Constitution. While claiming to protect the Constitution, Taoiseach Enda Kenny is crushing the democratic rights of elected representatives and voters.

The referendum to enshrine children's rights in the constitution looks set to pass, early results have indicated.

Counting has begun of votes that will determine whether Government plans to enshrine children's rights in the constitution should be accepted.

Voter turnout in the referendum on children's rights is expected to be low.

Justice Minister Alan Shatter has predicted a victory for Government plans to enshrine children’s rights in the constitution.

Politicians are concerned that the results of the forthcoming Children’s Referendum could be influenced by a storyline in a soap opera.

Politicians are concerned the results of the forthcoming Children’s Referendum could be influenced by storyline in a soap opera.

None of the candidates in last year's presidential election overspent on their campaigns, according to figures released this evening by the Standards in Public Office Commission.

Michael D Higgins will be Ireland’s ninth president after one of the most remarkable political comebacks in the history of the state.

Counting in the presidential election has been adjourned until 9am tomorrow morning.

Dana Rosemary Scallon has not ruled out running for president in seven years’ time.

Michael D Higgins was tonight celebrating his imminent election as the ninth President of Ireland after the first official nationwide count gave him 40% of first preferences, well ahead of Seán Gallagher on 28.5%.

Dana has become the last of the six unsuccessful presidential candidates to concede defeat to Michael D Higgins.

Presidential candidate Martin McGuinness has extended his congratulations to Michael D Higgins on his election win.

Seán Gallagher has conceded defeat in the presidential race and offered his congratulations to Michael D. Higgins

Veteran Labour Party politician Michael D Higgins is on course to be named Ireland’s ninth president, early reports suggest.

There have been reports of voter confusion in some polling stations over the two referendums – one on judges’ pay and another on more powers for Oireachtas inquiries.

Counting in the election for Ireland’s ninth president is underway.

The overall vote turnout to elect Ireland's ninth president is understood to have been just under 50% when polls closed tonight.

Polling stations across the country are reporting a "steady flow of voters", but turnout is so far down on the General Election earlier this year.

Presidential front-runner Seán Gallagher has admitted asking a convicted criminal and fuel smuggler for €5,000 in a fund-raising drive for Fianna Fáil.

Presidential candidate Martin McGuinness of Sinn Féin has gone on the attack against Independent Seán Gallagher accusing him of being "up to his neck in Fianna Fáil".

A garda investigation into an incident in which a campaign car belonging to Dana Rosemary Scallon suffered a tyre blowout, has found no evidence of any criminal damage.

With just days to go until the Presidential election, it is looking increasingly likely that Seán Gallagher will become the next President of Ireland.

Independent presidential candidate Dana Rosemary Scallon has claimed she is lucky to be alive after her campaign car suffered a tyre blow-out on a motorway.

The presidential campaign resumes again today after suggestions that the two leading candidates in the presidential race will square up in a one-to-one debate have been dismissed.

IN response to my letter concerning Dana Rosemary Scallon and the powers and functions of the President, Eric Conway (Letters, October 15) suggests that conscience should play an over-riding role when the president is considering legislation for signature.

Dana Rosemary Scallon has confirmed that she will take part in tomorrow's presidential debate in TG4.

Labour candidate for the presidency Michael D Higgins has blamed volatility in opinion polls for his dramatic drop from front-runner to second in the race for the Aras.

Presidential race front-runner Sean Gallagher has said he takes nothing for granted, despite a substantial advantage in the latest opinion poll.

Presidential hopeful Sean Gallagher has taken the lead in the race for the Áras, according to a new poll.

Dana Rosemary Scallon is expected to be canvassing in the Galway area today as she re-enters the race to be the next President.