The Taoiseach will host an event to celebrate the life of the founder of the Special Olympics later today.

Taoiseach Brian Cowen has today paid tribute to US Senator Edward Kennedy, who died overnight following a battle with a brain tumour.

Ailing Senator Edward Kennedy has asked Massachusetts politicians to change the law to allow the governor to appoint an interim replacement for his US Senate seat, should he be unable to continue serving.

WHEN 86-year-old Rosemary Kennedy, sister of President John F Kennedy, died in January 2005, the New York Times ran a story saying she had been born mentally disabled.

Eunice Kennedy Shriver was celebrated by family members as a passionate humanitarian and a pious woman devoid of vanity, hours after thousands of mourners flocked to a church to pay their respects to the founder of the Special Olympics.

A book of condolence is due to be opened in Dublin today for the late Eunice Kennedy Shriver, who died on Tuesday at the age of 88.

A book of condolence is to be opened in honour of the late Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Special Olympics founder.

PRESIDENT Mary McAleese yesterday led tributes to Eunice Kennedy Shriver.

PRESIDENT John F Kennedy’s sister, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, who carried on the family’s public service tradition by founding the Special Olympics and championing the rights of mentally disabled people, died early yesterday surrounded by relatives at a Hyannis hospital. She was 88.

President John F Kennedy’s sister Eunice Kennedy Shriver, a champion for the rights of mentally disabled people and founder of the Special Olympics, died today aged 88.

JOHN F Kennedy’s sister remained at a Massachusetts hospital with her family by her side at the weekend.

The 88-year-old sister of President John F Kennedy was fighting for her life in hospital today.

THE Shriver family announced yesterday that Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the 88-year-old sister of Senator Edward Kennedy, is critically ill at Cape Cod Hospital.

The scramble to determine who will lead California went to the wire today with actor-turned-politician Arnold Schwarzenegger denying last-minute sexual harassment allegations and Governor Gray Davis pleading with citizens to give him another chance.

IF sharing the feeling was the theme of Special Olympics, holding on to it is the challenge for the organisers now the Games are over.

SPECIAL OLYMPICS CEO Tim Shriver has given the movement he heads the challenge of trying to live up to the example set by Ireland this week in future World Games.

THE distinguished founder and honorary chairperson of the Special Olympics, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, yesterday said people should never give up on seeking to learn more about her special friends.

By Ronan Mullen

Ireland picked up six gold medals out of a possible 19 at the Special Olympics today.

I WANT to suggest a compromise between what seems like two entrenched positions.

SPECIAL Olympics founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver gave her blessing to the idea of Ireland hosting the summer world games again in the near future.

FORMER South African president Nelson Mandela has spent a lifetime inspiring others and honouring with them with his presence but as far as he was concerned, he was the one under a compliment for being invited to formally open the Special Olympics World Games.

FOUR years of careful planning, 7,000 athletes, 85,000 spectators, a worldwide audience of millions and one unforgettable spectacle.

When former South African president Nelson Mandela officially opens the Special Olympic World Games in Dublin this evening, it will herald an occasion of remarkable human endeavour and achievement.

JFK's sister and founder of the Special Olympics Eunice Kennedy Shriver is set to come to Ireland this month.

A sister of assassinated US President John Kennedy had been admitted to hospital with a broken leg after a head-on car collision.