Bellshill saw off stable companion Djakadam to claim top honours in the Coral Punchestown Gold Cup.

Latest: "I wish to apologise to connections and to punters."

Willie Mullins has issued an upbeat report on Faugheen ahead of his intended appearance in the BHP Insurance Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown on Saturday week.

Independent Government ministers have demanded the delivery of 500 additional hospital beds by the end of this year.

Thistlecrack has been ruled out of the Cheltenham Gold Cup for the second year running following the discovery of a stress fracture in a leg yesterday.

The trip by Shane Ross, Finian McGrath and John Halligan to North Korea is definitely off — and it was only ever a project they had talked about and had never developed to a stage where they were going, according to the transport minister.

“Strong” disagreements between ministers over which welfare benefits should get priority in tomorrow’s budget have delayed its finalisation, it can be revealed.

Health Minister Simon Harris has again sought reassurances from his junior health minster over his stance on the HPV vaccine.

Health Minister Simon Harris has again sought reassurances from his junior health minster over his stance on the HPV vaccine.

Disabilities Minister Finian McGrath has been left isolated by an Independent Alliance colleague after remarks that have sparked an unprecedented public row and split among the government grouping.

Yesterday was to be the day. Those Fine Gael rebels who had vented their spleen last week about wanting rid of Enda Kenny had until 1pm to put down a motion of no confidence in time for tonight’s meeting.

The families of the 48 victims of the 1981 Stardust tragedy have welcomed a decision by the Government to appoint a judge to assess whether a new inquiry into the blaze is needed.

The Cabinet became embroiled in a “hot and heavy” row yesterday over whether to grant a fresh State inquiry into the 1981 Stardust tragedy at its weekly meeting yesterday.

A fresh stand-off has erupted between Fine Gael and the Independent Alliance over whether a fresh inquiry into the 1981 Stardust tragedy should be established.

In a rare interview, Shane Ross tells Political Editor Daniel McConnell about a fractious Coalition with Fine Gael, Enda Kenny waving the Constitution in his face, Micheal Noonan as peacemaker, and the issues that may divide the Government

What is seldom is wonderful, we are told. Given the treacherous nature of political life, politicians who are willing to give a straight answer to a straight question are as rare as pigs flying in the sky. writes Political Editor Daniel McConnell.

Update 13 July, 5pm: Finian Varden Kenny has been found safe and well.

The disabilities minister has said he has reached a deal to undo cuts to the respite care grant.

Is there any chance at all that, until he leaves his current post and you have an article and/or picture relating to him, you refer to Finian McGrath by his PROPER title, Minister For Smoking?

Labour leadership front-runner Alan Kelly has told new Disability Minister Finian McGrath to resign his cabinet position if he refuses to pay his water charges.

It is never easy, is it? writes Daniel McConnell

Tommy Steele tells Ed Power about playing the big band legend, and how he was nearly typecast as a leprechaun

Killarney Racecourse expects the possible appearances of Finian’s Rainbow and Simonsig to draw a crowd to their three-day meeting.

Nicky Henderson is considering giving Finian’s Rainbow and Simonsig surprise appearances at Killarney’s forthcoming three-day meeting.

Sire De Grugy attempts to get his season firmly back on track in the Rifles Handicap Chase Supporting Care for Casualties at Chepstow today. 

ASH WEDNESDAY was the day when foreheads were marked with ash and the words ‘Memento, homo, quia pulvis es’ were said (or, in English, ‘Remember, man, that thou art dust’). 

Michael Winters has busy summer plans for his two stable stars Missunited and Rebel Fitz, with both Royal Ascot and the Galway Festival on the agenda.

You’d have to say that last weekend was rather a good one for Irish racing, with over 16,000 at the National at Fairyhouse on Monday and 6,000 plus at Cork on Sunday.

Finian’s Rainbow is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering an injury in last weekend’s Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham.

Trainer David Pipe admits Ballynagour is a “hard horse to predict” ahead of the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham today.

Old Roan Chase hero Conquisto could aim to continue his excellent start to the season in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham on Saturday week.

The selection of Martin O’Neill and Roy Keane as managers of the Irish soccer team is inspired.

Today's Twitter pick comes from Finian McGrath, Independent TD for Dublin North Central.

Imperial Commander heads a list of 49 horses left in the John Smith’s Grand National at Aintree on Saturday following the five-day stage.

Independent TDs have rounded on Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan and called on the outspoken politician to leave the Dáil’s technical group because his penalty points shame is distracting from business.

A member of the Dáil's technical group, John Halligan, has said he would rather Luke 'Ming' Flanagan walked away from the arrangement.

Sprinter Sacre confirmed his superstar status with a stunning victory in the Sportingbet Queen Mother Champion Chase.

Nicky Henderson insists Grandouet remains on course for the Stan James Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham on Tuesday despite taking an alarming drift on the betting exchanges yesterday afternoon.