At half-time in tonight’s National Cup final, Irish basketball will warm itself in the glow of a glorious past, when an iconic Ballina side is introduced to the crowd 25 years on from the classic final victory over Neptune in Cork.

Hundreds of people queued to pay their respects as Christy O’Connor Jnr left his beloved Knocknacarra for the final time yesterday evening.

Are Travellers second-class citizens in this country?

Authorities knew about a possible kerosene contamination in a water supply five days before notices were issued advising residents not to drink the water, it has emerged.

A suicidal father who had taken the lives of his two sons was stopped from hanging himself by a motorist who forcefully struck him on the side of the head.

Politicians of all hues paid their respects to Albert the peacemaker as thousands gathered to say their final goodbye to the former taoiseach.

Campaigners have welcomed the breakthrough in the West Cork ambulance service reconfiguration saga which will see the region retain its four ambulances.

There are hopes of a breakthrough in the West Cork ambulance reconfiguration dispute.

Campaigners fighting to retain their region’s ambulance service have called on the HSE to engage in “meaningful” talks in a bid to ease concerns.

Ambulance campaigners who began a four-day protest march from West Cork yesterday have accused a Government TD of abandoning them in their hour of need.

Campaigners fighting changes to the West Cork ambulance service are planning a mass rally before taking their protest to the doors of Munster’s largest hospital.

A man’s heart stopped four times while he waited more than an hour for an ambulance, according to activists campaigning for the retention of a 24-hour ambulance service in Skibbereen, Co Cork.

The HSE says there will be full staff cover in place for one of West Cork’s busiest 999 ambulance bases this weekend.

The HSE has rejected claims that one of Cork’s busiest 999 ambulance bases has no emergency ambulance cover because of staff sick leave.

Galway County Council has launched an investigation after it emerged that taxi drivers can change traffic lights in the city using their GPS systems.

An investigation has been launched after it emerged that a computer system being operated by taxi companies can influence traffic lights.

THE head of the country’s ambulance service has urged the people of West Cork not to believe “false and misleading information” which he claimed is being “pumped out by vested interests”.

CAMPAIGNERS fighting proposed cuts to West Cork’s ambulance service have accused the health minister of ignoring their plight.

THE only ambulance available in west Cork last Friday night was stationed in Castletownbere, 85km from where 470 people gathered at a public meeting opposing cuts to the service.

A MOTHER whose daughter’s life was saved by a West Cork ambulance crew has backed a campaign fighting HSE plans to re-configure the service.

THE HSE is not commenting on claims that a special injuries assessment unit at Bantry General Hospital is to close overnight from next January.

TWO of the most high-profile candidates in the race for the presidency suffered setbacks yesterday when they were snubbed by local authorities.

WITH all the focus on the economy, it’s understandable that an event that could have profound consequences for the democratic process escaped scrutiny.

A CALL by Fianna Fáil TD Frank Fahy for a relaxation of labour law inspections has been condemned as raising questions about the Government’s commitment to workers’ rights and fairness.

Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary will appear before the Oireachtas Transport Committee later.

HOME repossessions are leading to suicidal tendencies among struggling mortgage holders and the break-up of couples’ relationships, an Oireachtas Committee has been told.

A Glasgow man became the first person to be given a prison sentence at the historic first sitting of the new €140m Criminal Courts of Justice at Parkgate St in Dublin today.

A 46-year-old father of two, who pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of a young Galway man, will be sentenced for the killing later this month.

A 45-year-old man will appear in court in Co Roscommon later today in connection with the death of Frank Fahy in Galway yesterday morning.

Tributes were tonight paid to a hard working young man murdered in a knife attack during an early morning brawl outside a pub.

SIGNIFICANT initiatives including the banning of traffic on central routes in Dublin will be needed before the “big dig” for the metro can begin in the capital in 2010, transport planners revealed yesterday.

AN ELECTRICAL fault is being blamed for the huge blaze at a furniture store in west Cork yesterday.

Last remaining seats in Galway West have been filled by PD candidate Noel Grealish and FF's Frank Fahy.

THE direct and brutal nature of domestic abuse is in stark contrast to the lackadaisical approach the Government takes to tackling the problem.

THE dismissal by Communications, Marine and Natural Resources Minister Noel Dempsey of Shell to Sea’s latest initiative is most disturbing.

AS a commercial salmon fisherman for the past 30 years, I believe I know what it was like for the native Indian population in America who were kicked off their land and put into reservations.

ACCORDING to a report in the Irish Examiner of October 5, Women’s Aid has called for an additional €70,000 annually from Government to fund their helpline.

A MULTI-BILLION euro childcare plan to tackle the financial crisis crippling thousands of parents will be launched today by the National Women’s Council of Ireland (NWCI).

EQUALITY Minister Frank Fahy yesterday rejected claims that the Irish Government has “an appalling record” on promoting women’s human rights and tackling discrimination.

The group advising the Government on new disability laws is threatening to break off links unless its point of view is heard.

A GOVERNMENT-appointed task force is needed to tackle the growing levels of sexual and domestic violence, the Labour Party said last night.