Magic Moment: At the launch of her debut collection of subtly-crafted short stories, Waiting for the Bullet, at Triskel Christchurch, Madeleine D’Arcy read the desperately sad Clocking Out, her story about a naive young woman, a lonely outsider, who gives birth in a field.

A dissident republican plot to target judges and police officers in Northern Ireland has been exposed by a covert MI5 operation, a court has heard.

Seven men have been remanded in custody in the North charged with a series of dissident republican terrorist offences.

A pregnant mother of one had to hobble to her parents’ home in Cork with a broken leg, a head wound, and a broken arm after a 45-minute attack by her drunk partner.

Half Moon Theatre, Cork

The critically acclaimed two-hander, Fred & Alice, is back on the road with a seven-week national touring grant from the Arts Council.

A LIMERICK landlord has ensured a secure future for four former soldiers, permitting them to remain in accommodation which was home to them for a number of years.

LIMERICK last night broke an age-old tradition of dry Good Fridays and proceeded to cock a snook at the recession by kicking off a big rugby match party which swung late into the night.

TWO years after the murderous Battle of the Somme, it was still a front being fought over.

A TEENAGE girl broke down in tears in court yesterday as she claimed a Skibbereen man older than her father sexually assaulted her on a bus as she was travelling home from a friend’s party.

A former priest in the Diocese of Ferns today made his first appearance in court to face 35 counts of indecent assault.

THE Irish Greyhound Board's annual doping report reveals 6,113 samples were taken from greyhounds during 2005 - with 69 testing positive for banned substances.

Ilen Rovers, Cork 1-11 St Michael’s, Donegal 1-4

Ilen Rovers 0-15 Carrigaline 0-7

Ilen Rovers 1-14, Nemo Rangers 0-7

MORE than 100 sailors will compete in the Irish Sailing Association National Team Racing Championships from the Royal Cork at Crosshaven over the St Patrick’s weekend.