A Corkman whose mother, father and uncle died in a fire in Essex, England, has thanked friends for their support in the wake of the tragedy.

A retired couple were among three Irish people who died after a house fire on the outskirts of London.

SPENDING on Christmas travel, trees and nights on the town will be greatly reduced this Yuletide, according to a shopping survey.

THE price of clothes and shoes has fallen by 30% in Ireland during the past five years, according to the Fashion and Footwear Federation.

Fashion retailers warned this afternoon that the EU's textile stand-off with China was hurting Irish businesses.