A townland in Kerry where 14 families have been marooned six times in the past two years will not be designated an area of fur-ther assessment under the new flood-risk survey by the OPW.

This is the insidious Japanese knotweed, one of the fastest-growing and most destructive of our adverse invasive plants and weeds.

Former finance minister Brian Lenihan was “very strongly” of the view Anglo Irish Bank should be nationalised and left out of the €440bn blanket bank guarantee, before a crunch private “chat” with then- taoiseach Brian Cowen caused a dramatic change of mind.

The man who was secretary general of the Department of Finance at the height of the boom has since earned almost €500,000 from an institution saved by the controversial bank guarantee.

Former taoiseach Brian Cowen “already had a preference” for a “broad” bank guarantee before the infamous September 29, 2008, meeting which led to the multi-billion euro deal — and overruled then finance minister Brian Lenihan’s concerns.

Former taoisigh Bertie Ahern and Brian Cowen, along with senior officials from the Department of Finance during the Celtic Tiger era, will be grilled by the Oireachtas banking inquiry in July.

Up to 90% of the “€100bn plus” debt and “hardship” heaped on Ireland after the economic crash was destined to happen, regardless of the bank guarantee.

The Government should have nationalised Anglo Irish Bank and Irish Nationwide in September 2008, replaced the management teams, and put in place a much more limited guarantee for the two banks, Central Bank governor Patrick Honohan has told the Oireachtas banking inquiry.

Looking to meet a Prince Charming sets unreal standards for men, and can leave women unhappy, says Deirdre Reynolds.

Funding is unlikely to be provided for roundabouts at three dangerous junctions, where numerous accidents have occurred, on the N22 road between Cork and Tralee, it emerged yesterday.

Thousands of Irish investors have been left counting the cost after the company behind Banners Broker, a suspected online pyramid scheme, was wound up owing millions.

A lethal combination of drink and speed led to the deaths of three brothers and their friend in Co Offaly last year, Coroner Brian Mahon told an inquest in Tullamore today.

Ballymena tasted victory in Division 1B for only the second time this season as they overcame fellow strugglers Bruff on a 29-14 scoreline at Eaton Park.

Ballynahinch showed no mercy to a demoralised Bruff team as they took another step closer to Division 1B honours with a 52-point victory in Limerick.

Terenure College 13 Belvedere College 7

The four men killed in yesterday's horrific road crash in Co. Offaly have been named.

Favourites Terenure held out for a narrow win over Blackrock in a frantic Leinster Schools Senior Cup first round tie at Donnybrook.

IRELAND U20’s hammered a Leinster Development side 40-15 in the annual challenge at Donnybrook yesterday.

Ballymena took the spoils in a hotly-contested Ulster derby at Eaton Park, holding on to beat Ballynahinch 6-3 and leapfrog them at the top of Ulster Bank League Division 1B.

KEVIN Cardiff faces public scrutiny before his position as the Irish representative at the European Court of Auditors is confirmed.

IN A less civilised country, Michael Fingleton might be “doing time”, but in lawful Ireland — where rights seem paramount compared to responsibilities — the former boss of the now defunct Irish Nationwide Building Society gets to watch time instead on a €11,000 time-piece presented to him as a going away present in 2009 by his fellow directors.

IRELAND U-20s 24 WALES U-20s 38

The Ireland Under-20 team to face Wales in their final game of the IRB Junior World Championship has been named.

South Africa 57 Ireland 15

SCOTLAND are understood to be ready to join Ireland in withdrawing their Under-20 sides from future Junior World Championships, it emerged yesterday.

The Ireland Under-20 team to face South Africa in the Junior World Championship has been named.

IRELAND U20’s head coach Mike Ruddock saluted an improved defensive display as his side secured their first win in this year’s IRB Junior World Championship with a 30-13 defeat of Scotland in Rovigo onSaturday night.

Ireland U-20s 30 Scotland U-20s 13,

Although the Ireland Under-20s have failed to register a point in Pool C of the IRB Junior World Championship, head coach Mike Ruddock has been pleased with their performances so far.

The Ireland Under-20 team to play South Africa has been named by coach Mike Ruddock.

Ireland U20 15England U20 46

IRELAND U20 coach Mike Ruddock’s hand has once again been forced by provincial call-ups, leading him to make four changes to the side that takes on England in their final RBS Six Nations clash with England at Dubarry Park tomorrow (7.45pm).

The Ireland Under 20 Team has been named for the final game of the RBS 6 Nations Championship against England Under 20 in Dubarry Park.

IRELAND U20 missed a chance of victory as Paddy Jackson struck the post with an injury-time conversion at Parc Y Scarlets.

IRELAND’S U20 team will launch its Six Nations title defence against Italy in Parma tomorrow night (6pm) with captain Niall Annett one of five surviving players from last year’s championship winning side amongst the squad members.

New Irish U20 coach Mike Ruddock has named his side for Friday’s opening Six Nations Championship game against Italy in Parma, kick-off 6pm.

NOTHING Bruff achieve these days ranks as a surprise and certainly UCD won’t land at Kilballyowen Park tomorrow with any expectations.

THE poster boys for our financial crisis have been well established: Seánie Fitz, ‘Fingers’ Fingleton, Eugene Sheehy, Patrick Neary, Bertie Ahern, Charlie McCreevy, Brian Cowen.

NEW Ireland U20 coach Mike Ruddock got off to a winning start, as his new-look side saw off Italy in a friendly at Donnybrook yesterday.

HERE’S the real, frightening and ugly truth about NAMA. Its bosses say they will diligently chase all developers for the full repayment of their loans, totalling more than €70 billion.

TAOISEACH Brian Cowen has stood over the bank guarantee scheme, despite the fact the Government was warned of the major risks in taking such an approach just days before it was implemented.

The Public Accounts Committee is releasing documents relating to events in the lead-up to the Government's decision to impose a banking guarantee in September 2008.

Ireland Under-20s 53 Scotland Under-20s 23

Ireland Under-20s 37 Samoa Under-20s 10, Parana