It was a dream come true for their proud parents as Ireland’s “little fighters” held hands and walked unaided into their first day at school.

The mother of the formerly conjoined Benhaffaf twins says she has an extra special reason to celebrate Christmas Day tomorrow — as just months ago she feared she would lose one of her ‘Little Fighters’.

Despite being one of the most sought-after spine surgeons in the world whose work has led to great advances in his field, Patrick O’Leary does not feel he is deserving of the alumni achievement award with which University College Cork has honoured him.

The mother of conjoined twins has told how her sons were reunited yesterday after being apart for the first time in their lives while little Hassan Benhaffaf underwent spine surgery.

THERE are occasions when even a monarch has to bow to the inevitable but it couldn’t have happened in a nicer way.

One of Ireland’s second most famous set of twin brothers after pint-sized pop duo Jedward missed his chance to mingle with royalty on the final day of the Queen’s visit to Ireland.

A MUSICIAN, a Supreme Court judge, the surgeon who led the team that separated Ireland’s conjoined twins, and a senior executive of a pharmachem giant will be honoured by their former college this week.

THE mother of Ireland’s favourite twins described yesterday how breast-feeding her little fighters was like playing a game of Twister.

HIGH winds and high rollers dominated the fifth day of Cork Week 2010 at Crosshaven yesterday, with as much excitement on land as offshore.

THE mother of Ireland’s little fighters has told how she believes their remarkable spirit will help them overcome their disability.

YOUNG twins Hassan and Hussein Benhaffaf who were separated in complex surgery in London in April are to receive a civic reception at Cork City Hall next week.

TWINS Hassan and Hussein Benhaffhaf could be home within days to begin leading a normal life.

The Taoiseach has welcomed the Benhaffaf family home after they returned to Cork today from London, where conjoined twins Hassan and Hussein underwent successful separation surgery.

Separated twins Hassan and Hussein Benhaffaf are expected to remain in hospital in Cork for several days after returning home today.

IRELAND’S miracle twins Hassan and Hussien Benhaffhaf are due to fly home today just six weeks after the successful operation to separate them.

Separated twins Hassan and Hussein Benhaffaf are to leave hospital tomorrow.

Five-month-old conjoined twins separated by surgeons will be released from hospital within days, doctors said today.

THE surgeon who successfully oversaw the operation to separate the conjoined twins, Hassan and Hussein Benhaffaf, has spoken of being humbled by the bravery of the children dubbed “Cork’s Little Fighters”.

IN THE midst of all the gloomy economic news, and the volcanic disruption of the travel and tourist industries, today’s interview with Edward Kiely, the surgeon who led the team that separated the conjoined twins, Hassan and Hussein Benhaffaf, makes inspiring reading.

IRISH twins Hassan and Hussein Benhaffaf, who were separated in a 14-hour operation a fortnight ago, are stable and making progress every day, doctors in London said last night.

THE parents of Irish twins Hassan and Hussein Benhaffhaf have appealed to the media for privacy as their babies continue their recovery after last week’s separation surgery.

THE parents of Ireland’s little fighters have paid an emotional tribute to their twins’ “courage and strength” after the operation to separate them was declared a success.

Conjoined twins who were seperated after a 14-hour operation at London's Great Ormond street hospital are said to be in a stable condition this evening.

An operation in London to separate conjoined twins from Cork is due to be completed today.

THE parents of Ireland’s conjoined twins maintained a bedside vigil into the early hours this morning as surgeons continued the complex procedure to separate their “little miracles”.

Conjoined twins Hassan and Hussein Benhaffaf from Cork are undergoing separation surgery at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London.

THE Bishop of Cork and Ross will lead the nation in prayer today for Ireland’s conjoined twins as they begin their longest day.

The family of conjoined twins Hassan and Hussein Benhaffaf have confirmed that the operation to seperate them is planned for later this week.

THE mother of Ireland’s conjoined twins has asked for “one more miracle” for her boys who undergo high-risk separation surgery in London tomorrow.

IRELAND’S conjoined twins underwent the first of several tests at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) in London yesterday ahead of their separation surgery.

THE mother of Ireland’s youngest conjoined twins has asked the nation to pray for them as they face major surgery within weeks to separate them.

IRELAND’S Two Little Fighters, conjoined twins Hassan and Hussein Benhaffaf, slept blissfully in the arms of their mother Angie yesterday in spite of being surrounded by up to 1,000 bikers who were preparing to undertake a charity race on their behalf.

MEET Ireland’s “two little fighters” described by their mum as a “gift”.

IT’S a tale of two cities, two babies, three hospitals and a single fertilised egg that split to form twins, who refused to separate, leaving them conjoined but doing well.

Fifteen-month old Indonesian conjoined twins Anggi, left, and Anjeli, right - fused at the stomach and hip - are recovering after separation surgery in Singapore.

BOTH St Flannan’s and Doon CBS will be at full strength for Sunday’s Irish Examiner Dr Harty Cup semi-final at Dolla (2.30pm).

AN eight-month investigation into how a mother of seven died after contracting Legionnaire’s Disease while in hospital recommends that air, water and surface environments in hospitals should be regularly monitored.

Doon CBS 2-13 Our Lady’s, Templemore 1-9

Midleton CBS 2-12 Doon CBS 2-11

Doon CBS 1-18 Douglas CS 1-10

A marvellous goal by full-forward Paudie McNamara 10 minutes from time proved decisive for Doon in this highly entertaining Irish Examiner Dr. Harty Cup quarter-final at Tipperary Town yesterday.