One of the most surprising aspects of the Mahon report was the silence of ministers and TDs throughout the Celtic Tiger years.

IT was necessary for the Taoiseach to give a speech in the Dáil in connection with the issue of child abuse by some clerics, he did right.

I THOUGHT I heard some arrogant things said on TV over the last number of years but I think two of the panel members on the recent Vincent Browne TV show must now receive the prize trophy for arrogance.

TRUE to form, the cream has come to the top in the Guinness Trophy at Curraheen Park. Unfortunately for two of the leading trainers, Christy O’Callaghan and Owen McKenna, it has brought their standard bearers into direct opposition in the semi-finals.