The two creche owners behind the Dublin firm that was at the centre of an RTÉ investigation alleging mistreatment of children have paid themselves a total of €350,000 over the past two years.

A maintenance man was crushed to death inside a giant food mixer which suddenly started up while he was repairing it, an inquest heard today.

THE Government was accused of “political cronyism” last night following the confirmation that the Taoiseach’s former partner Celia Larkin will be appointed to the interim board of a new powerful State consumer agency.

ENTERPRISE, Trade and Employment minister Micheál Martin has named the interim chairman of the National Consumer Agency.