WHAT word best describes Michael McDowell during his political career – arrogant, intolerant, self-serving, brilliant, courageous, or exciting? They all applied to him at different times. Whether one liked him or loathed him, he left his mark on Irish politics.

The Taoiseach will be making a terrible blunder if he tries to exploit the innate decency and compassion that people feel for him by abusing those who did their job in exposing his wrongdoing.

Gardaí have confirmed the two fishermen who died after being rescued off the Donegal coast were brothers.

The director of elections for controversial Donegal TD James McDaid says Fianna Fáil cannot count on his support until he has met with local party members.

Sinn Féin were today coming to terms with a disastrous end to their ambitious plan to secure major gains in the General Election.

Sinn Fein were grasping on to hope late into the night that a gain in Donegal North East might lessen the pain of the collapse of their ambitious plans for a major breakthrough.

THE funeral arrangements for Catriona Innes, aged 26, and her seven-year-old daughter, Katelyn, were being finalised last night.

FIANNA FÁIL yesterday played down suggestions it was trying to entice Independent Fianna Fáil TD Niall Blaney, following yesterday’s announcement by Jim McDaid that he will not contest next year’s general election.

SEÁN Ó NEACHTAIN, who Fianna Fáil tried to prevent from running in the European elections, last night topped the poll in the North West constituency.

The surplus votes of Hughie Baxter and Ms Marie Hainsworth have been distributed in the North West constituency in the European elections.

The preference votes of eliminated candidates Hughie Baxter and Marie Hainsworth have been distributed, as results for the second count in the European North West constituency have been announced.

A last minute twist saw independent candidate Marion Harkin topping the North West poll tonight, with Sinn Fein Pearse Doherty a close second.

Road hauliers are to take to the streets of Dublin today in protest at rising fuel prices.

The latest generation of air traffic management systems has been unveiled at Shannon airport.

DOWN around Killorglin, they reckon that John O’Donoghue can walk on water. Certainly he was well able to make a splash when the local rowing club was out of its depth while building their new boathouse.

SPORTS Minister John O’Donoghue has turned the National Lottery into a ‘political slush fund’, Fine Gael said yesterday.

A KERRY rowing club was given a €300,000 grant in breach of department guidelines after a request by John O'Donoghue.

Of all the over elaborate postering jobs done already by candidates across the country, not one seems to match up to James McDaid’s efforts in Co Leitrim.

FIANNA FÁIL’S carve-up of Munster for the European elections, trenchantly opposed by Brian Crowley, was described yesterday by Gerry Collins as the only chance for the party to hold on to its two seats.

James McDaid has announced that he is seeking the Fianna Fáil nomination to stand as an MEP in the June elections.

DUBLIN’S long-awaited national conference centre could be built as early as 2007, according to Tourism Minister John O’Donoghue.

PÁIDÍ Ó SÉ will warmly welcome Maurice Fitzgerald back into the Kerry team should the Caherciveen star decide to return.

THIS year will probably be best remembered for things like the introduction of the euro, and the first re-election of a coalition in the history of the State.

HUNDREDS of Irish tourists and lorry drivers have been left stranded in France as a series of transport strikes threatened to bring chaos to roads, rail, and air traffic in the country.

FF looks set to take two seats in Donegal North East.

Dr. James McDaid, T.D., Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation announced

Dr. James McDaid, T.D., Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation announced

Dr. James McDaid, T.D., Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation announced

Dr. James McDaid, T.D., Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation announced

Dr.James McDaid, T.D., Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation has announced

Leaders in Northern Ireland must stop using "brinkmanship" politics if peace is to be brought to the province, Foreign Affairs Minister Brian Cowen said tonight.

Minister for Tourism and Sport, Dr. James McDaid, has praised the decision of the Donegal Motor Club to cancel two rallies due to be held in the coming