Like some animals which previously graced its famed cobblestones, the first staging of the historic Smithfield Horse Fair under a new bylaw regime in Dublin yesterday was a bit lame.

Garda representatives said the closure of 100 stations will “sever” connections between communities and local gardaí.

High gates and walls, along with large trees, attract burglars rather than acting as a deterrent, Garda experts have warned.

An application for an off-licence in a Cork suburb has been refused due to Garda concerns it would be impossible to police an anticipated increase of teen drinking in a neighbouring woodland.

Commemorations to the victims of the 911 attacks will be taking place across the country today.

Queen Elizabeth II has thanked the people of Dublin for their warm welcome during last month’s ground-breaking State visit.

Cork County Council and Dublin City Council are the big spenders, but the overall cost has been reduced, writes Orla Walsh.

"I think he was the most honest politican we've ever seen…I don't think we'll ever see the likes of him again," said one man who paid his respects to the late Dr Garret FitzGerald today.

THE Europa League trophy was officially handed over to the city of Dublin yesterday, the ceremony in the Royal Hospital Kilmainham a reminder that the finals of Europe’s premier club competitions are now only two games away.

Dublin's Lord Mayor Gerry Breen is unveiling a new arts programme for the city today.

Three Irish authors - Colum McCann, Colm Toibin and William Trevor - have been shortlisted for the world’s richest literary prize.

PRINCE ALBERT of Monaco has revealed that an Irish university research post is to be established to commemorate his mother, the late Hollywood actress and Princess of Monaco, Grace Kelly.

Three men have been arrested at the controversial Smithfield horse fair in Dublin.

Prince Albert II of Monaco will make a two-day State visit to Ireland next week.

A NATIONAL horse amnesty is being organised by the Dublin SPCA in response to the alarming rise in abandoned or mistreated animals.

HIGH-PROFILE election casualties Cork South Central’s Deirdre Clune, Kerry South’s Tom Sheahan and Wexford’s Michael D’Arcy are among those nominated by Fine Gael for the upcoming Seanad election.

THE heart of Dublin was transformed into a sea of green leprechaun hats and tricolours as hundreds of thousands thronged the Irish capital for the famous St Patrick’s Day parade.

The heart of Dublin was transformed into a sea of green leprechaun hats and tricolours as hundreds of thousands thronged the capital for the famous St Patrick’s Day parade.

GARDAÍ have identified the two gunmen who opened fire at a packed horse fair on Sunday, which left two people injured.

A group representing Travellers has said the violent scenes witnessed at a horse fair in Dublin yesterday were down to a small minority of people.

Roisin Shorthall has been re-elected in Dublin North West on the first count.

The Lord Mayor of Dublin is welcoming the publication of new anti-begging laws.

CROWDS have been flocking to the IFA’s Live Animal Crib, located at the forecourt of the Mansion House in Dublin.

Dublin City Council voted last night in favour of Dublin twinning with Beijing.

FOUR Irish novels have been nominated for the 2011 International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award.

Dublin’s Lord Mayor today called on workers to take on a 45-hour week for the sake of the country as he opened a major conference on innovation.

Health Minister Mary Harney tonight branded a protest unlawful after red paint was poured over her by an angry councillor.

Dubliners were today encouraged to take to the hills with the long-awaited opening of a 43km trail for serious strollers and fair-weather walkers.

LUIS “El Leon” Garcia could be contemplating Olympic gold medals if he remained in his native Cuba but, instead, he faces the biggest assignment of his short professional career at The Aura in Letterkenny tonight when he takes on Uruguay’s Jorge Rodriguez on the undercard to Paul McCloskey’s European title defence.

An ambitious ideas contest to help Dublin become the world’s design capital was launched today.

OVER half a million people last night attended galleries, museums and cultural spaces around the country for Ireland’s biggest ever Culture Night.

Dublin's Lord Mayor will launch a new business initiative in the city today with representatives of Dublin's 30 villages.

IT IS all quiet on the adult inter-county hurling scene this weekend as the nation prepares for the mother of all battles when Kilkenny and Tipperary face off in Sunday week’s All-Ireland SHC final.

IT could have been a dress rehearsal for the visit to Ireland by Britain’s Queen Elizabeth, as four splendid black horses pulled the elegant Lord Mayor’s Coach through the streets of Dublin.

Dublin has been designated a UNESCO City of Literature.

Veteran activist and politician Sean Dublin Bay Loftus died today, aged 82.

Fine Gael Councillor Gerry Breen is the new Lord Mayor of Dublin.

A controversial scheme to fill in 50 acres of Dublin Bay for a port expansion was rejected by planners today over environmental concerns.

A GROUP of Belgian teenagers stranded at Dublin Airport have had to sleep at the airport after being priced out of rooms at a hostel.

A RANGE of Government agencies should be able to use their powers to regulate head shops, it has been claimed.

The controversial 30km an hour speed limit in parts of central Dublin will be discussed by city councillors again this afternoon.

Several Dublin City councillors are demanding the local authority explain why the vast bulk of Sean Dunne's ambitious Ballsbridge development was initially given the green light.

BUSINESSMAN Joe Burke has resigned from his Government-appointed post of chairman of the Dublin Port Company.

Shelbourne youngsters Derek Pender and Alan Murphy have joined Dundalk on loan until the end of the season as part of a seven-man influx of players to the first division side.