The Law Society of Ireland has defended its stance on proposed legislation which would introduce plain packaging for all tobacco products amid accusations that it has sided with tobacco manufacturers on the issue.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was yesterday accused of “intimidating” Clare County Council staff at their homes into giving witness statements as part of a failed prosecution by the agency.

Westmeath 1-15 London 0-11

Laois 3-14 Westmeath 1-09

Laois 3-14 Westmeath 1-9

Laois and Westmeath will contest the Division 2A Allianz Hurling League final, with both taking wins today, while elsewhere Kerry had a slender one-point win over Derry.

Westmeath 2-18 Laois 2-15, Cusack Park

THERE are inmates of the Irish prison system who have been incarcerated for most of their lives.

Douglas, Cork €550,000

Stephen Maher fired 1-7 as Laois claimed top-spot of the Allianz NHL Division 2A this afternoon, with first wins of the campaign for Wicklow and Westmeath.

Five men who preyed on “vulnerable” teenage girls for sex have today been found guilty of paying for the sexual services of a child.

Wexford manager Liam Dunne and his Westmeath counterpart Brian Hanley have both named unchanged teams for their All-Ireland SHC preliminary round qualifier at Wexford Park on Saturday evening.

In naming his team to face Galway on Sunday, Westmeath manager Brian Hanley has given a vote of confidence to the players that started the Leinster SHC first round win over Antrim.

In naming his team to face Galway on Sunday, Westmeath manager Brian Hanley has given a vote of confidence to the players that started the Leinster SHC first round win over Antrim.

POP STARS and killers.

ONE half of the pair of murderous drifters who terrified Ireland in 1976 has died, but for almost an hour yesterday the crimes of Geoffrey Evans sent a further chill down the spine.

Westmeath staged a passionate and purposeful comeback to win Saturday’s lively Leinster SHC clash at Mullingar.

The Christy Ring Cup gets underway today as counties dream of reaching the big stage

A goal and a point in the final minute of added time gave Westmeath victory over luckless Down at Páirc Esler Newry yesterday.

A MOTHER-OF-12 is dreading “a sad, lonely Christmas” after her Traveller family is being forced to vacate a roadside encampment.

The Galway hurlers will field a much-changed team for their Leinster Championship opener against Westmeath in Mullingar tonight (throw-in 7pm).

Carlow 1-14 Westmeath 4-10

WEXFORD champions Oulart The Ballagh qualified for the Leinster Club SHC final following a hard-earned victory over Westmeath champions Raharney in a high-scoring match played in dense fog at Cusack Park yesterday.

RAHARNEY boss John Greville is adamant his charges are aiming to grasp the huge opportunity that has been presented to them after Sunday’s stunning Leinster Club SHC quarter-final success over Offaly champions Coolderry.

MANAGER Maurice Aylward believes Ballyhale Shamrocks’ progression to the Leinster club SHC final on Saturday represented a victory on two fronts.

The GAA have announced the squads which have been selected for the U21 and senior hurling/shinty internationals against Scotland on Saturday next, October 18.

WHAT a magnificent match in Tullamore yesterday evening, this 2008 Christy Ring final.

Carlow 3-22 Westmeath 4-16 (after extra-time)

Westmeath got their Christy Ring Cup defence off to a rip-roaring start at Cusack Park as they demolished Roscommon on a 3-23 to 0-13 score-line.

Westmeath 2-12 Carlow 0-12

Westmeath 2-12 Carlow 0-12, Gaelic Grounds

Mayo 2-14 Westmeath 2-13, Castlebar

FOUR of the biggest landowners in Cork’s sprawling docklands confirmed last night they have combined to drive forward the region’s multibillion regeneration.

Westmeath manager Seamus Qualter has kept faith with the team that beat Carlow ten days ago and named an unchanged side for Sunday's Christy Ring Cup final against Kildare (Croke Park, throw-in 12.15pm).

Carlow lost for the first time in this year's Christy Ring Cup as Westmeath scored a 4-11 to 2-15 win over the Barrowsiders to qualify for the August 5 final at Croke Park.

Carlow lost for the first time in this year's Christy Ring Cup as Westmeath scored a 4-11 to 2-15 win over the Barrowsiders to qualify for the August 5 final at Croke Park.

A TIBETAN terrier named Willy scooped the title of Best in Show at this year’s Crufts dog show.

ONE of the country’s leading auctioneers dismissed a widow from his firm after she admitted to having a vaginal infection, due to non-consensual sex he had with her, an employment appeals’ tribunal heard yesterday.

Enda Loughlin has shaken off an ankle injury to be included in the Westmeath line-up for this afternoon's crucial All-Ireland SFC Relegation final against Dublin (Tullamore, throw-in 2pm).

Westmeath 1-14 Waterford 3-22

IT’S not often you see a manager smiling after his team has just been beaten by more than double scores, but that was the case in Mullingar on Saturday evening.

A LOT of people were shocked at Westmeath’s win over Dublin in the Leinster senior hurling quarter-final on Sunday; they shouldn’t have been.

Seamus Qualter’s Westmeath side made history in weather-hit Portlaoise as they ended Dublin’s Leinster championship campaign with a 0-13 to 0-11 victory.