Carol O’Callaghan takes a trip around the shops to see what discounts are on offer to finish off a home interior project.

Gangs of repeat burglars who target the vulnerable in rural areas could face up to 14 years in prison, the Court of Appeal has indicated.

The declaration of the Director for Public Prosecutions, at the Court of Appeal, that longer sentences should be imposed for burglaries, because people in rural areas “live in permanent fear or dread”, will win popular support.

A simple act of Christmas kindness has led to a life-changing home makeover for the family of a brave little girl.

Semen from a 57-year-old man, who denies sexually assaulting his 10-year-old niece, was found on the girl’s top on forensic examination, a judge and jury were told yesterday.

Willie Mullins has been second in the Cheltenham Gold Cup six times, writes Brendan O’Brien

The sentences handed down at Limerick Circuit Court on December 15 to two cousins, who were involved in a burglary in which the bachelor homeowner died of a heart attack when he went to challenge the intruders, is to be appealed by the DPP as unduly lenient.

The Christmas festivals are on the horizon but there’s plenty of good racing this weekend, and I’m really looking forward to riding Yorkhill on his chasing debut in the two-mile beginners’ race at Fairyhouse this afternoon.

Two criminals, both with long lists of previous convictions, ignored pleas for help from a dying man’s sister as they fled from his home which they had just burgled. They have now been jailed, but could be due for release within 16 months.

Two Galway club teams bet on themselves ahead of crucial fixtures in 2016, outgoing county board chairman Noel Treacy alleged last night.

Some of Cork’s favourite retailers explain how they create their famous Christmas windows, writes Ciara McDonnell

The niece of the Limerick bachelor who collapsed and died after he went to confront two burglars in his quiet rural home described how a few dark minutes on a beautiful day changed the lives of her family forever.

Still waiting for the season to get into full swing, but I’m a little bit busier on the track this weekend than in recent ones, with five rides at Wexford tomorrow.

Fergie O’Donnell last night stepped down as joint-manager of the Roscommon senior football team, which could pave the way for Kevin McStay to take over the position in a sole capacity writes John Fogarty.

His rides may be sparse at the moment, but amongst the carefully chosen mounts is ample opportunity for Ruby Walsh to shine in a manner which few, if any, could dream to achieve. 

It’s rarely mentioned now, but Ruby Walsh’s first ride at the Cheltenham Festival wasn’t exactly smooth.

If the decision to re-route Vautour from the Gold Cup to the Ryanair Chase was an unpopular one, all animosity towards the horse and connections had dissipated by the time the beautifully athletic gelding jumped the final fence and strode clear up the straight to record victory at a third consecutive Festival.

Three-times former champion jumps trainer Michael Dickinson feels he would need to write a book to fully explain what makes Willie Mullins so dominant.

It’s great to be back at the start of the national hunt season once more, and there’s so much to look forward to for the months ahead, writes Ruby Walsh.

“With the year I’ve had this is very special,” said trainer Mouse Morris after watching Rogue Angel battle back bravely to snatch victory in the Guinness Kerry National, when the Listowel Harvest Festival resumed yesterday afternoon.

Yesterday provided a well-deserved moment of joy in a year of heartache for trainer Mouse Morris as Rogue Angel fought back tenaciously to edge out Urano in a thrilling finish in the Kerry Grand National.

Hopes that some good might come out of the tragic death of a beloved man were expressed at his funeral yesterday.

A man told gardaí “I really am sorry for the death of that man” after he was charged with a burglary at a house in Co Limerick where a 62-year-old man died after discovering intruders at his home.

Lombardstown, Co Cork, trainer Eugene O’Sullivan took the featured Pat Woodbyrne Memorial Handicap Chase on the first day of Tramore’s August festival, when A Decent Excuse bounced back to form to post an impressive success.

Galway Plate-winning jockey Jonathan Burke teamed up with larger-than-life character Mick Winters to secure a very popular success aboard TheosWell in the Attheraces Handicap Hurdle yesterday afternoon at Cork racecourse.

Fresh from his Galway Hurdle exploits, trainer Tony Martin dominated day five at the Galway Festival, recording a near 144-1 treble with Vive La France, Tudor City and Dark Crusader.

Ryan Moore produced the Willie Mullins-trained Clondaw Warrior with a perfectly-timed challenge to land the Ascot Stakes.

On his first ride back, having been shaken in a fall at Limerick on Sunday, Paul Townend triumphed for his trainer/father Tim on Kala Brandy in the opening Ladies Free Admission This Evening Mares Maiden Hurdle in Clonmel last night.

Tony McCoy signed off his career in Ireland with two unplaced rides at Fairyhouse yesterday.

On His Own claimed a well-deserved return to winning ways with an emphatic success in the Grade 3 Imperial Call Chase yesterday afternoon at Cork.

I am happy to be riding Perfect Gentleman in the BoyleSports Irish Grand National on Monday. I think he has the right profile for the race and 10-10 is a lovely weight.

Fran Flood was thrilled to see Miss Xian narrowly oupoint Bothair Clei in a pulsating climax to the Woodlands Park 100 Club Leinster National at Naas yesterday.

Graham Dwyer’s semen and Elaine O’Hara’s blood were found on her damaged mattress.

A DNA profile matching Graham Dwyer was found in stains on Elaine O'Hara's mattress, the Central Criminal Court has heard.

AIB All-Ireland Club IFC Final: Ardfert (Kerry) 1-14 St Croan’s (Roscommon) 0-9: David Griffin recalls sitting in the Hogan Stand as a 13-year old boy, a proud spectator as Ardfert’s claimed the All-Ireland Club intermediate title in 2007.

Pat O’Driscoll pointed to David Griffin’s first-half goal as the decisive score in Ardfert’s latest All-Ireland intermediate triumph.

Cheltenham ante-post plunge horse Alvisio Ville puts his reputation on the line in Sunday’s Deloitte Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown on Sunday.