The largest public sector trade union in the country says its pledge to increase local authority funding and restore local council powers has received the backing of 10 parties fielding 1,056 local authority candidates in tomorrow’s elections.

One in two health workers in Ireland have experienced mental health difficulties, it has emerged.

From a season-ending World Rally Championship victory being a distinct possibility, on the Kennards Hire Rally Australia, Craig Breen (Citroen C3 WRC) saw the prospect undone ever so quickly. Midway in the second leg, he was down in tenth place, due to a series of incidents. Aided by some late retirements, the Waterford driver eventually finished seventh.

Carrick on Suir Motor Club’s kindness and generosity shows little sign of abating.

In trying circumstances Donegal’s Declan Boyle (Ford Fiesta WRC) captured the Triton Showers National Rally Championship with his eighth place finish on the Ballybofey based Jackson’s Hotel Donegal Harvest Rally.

Within sight of a podium finish, Waterford’s Craig Breen (Citroen C3 WRC) had to be content with fourth overall on the Dayinsure Wales Rally GB, after a mistake and a spin on one of yesterday’s closing stages.

As the Dayinsure Wales Rally GB cranks into gear today, Waterford’s Craig Breen still awaits his maiden victory in a round of the World Rally Championship for his Citroen Total Abu Dhabi WRT team.

Clonmel’s Roy White (Ford Fiesta WRC) claimed his first victory in a round of the Irish Tarmac Championship courtesy of his win on the Macroom based CBtooolhire.com Cork “20” International Rally.

As the curtain falls on the already decided Valvoline Irish Forest Rally Championship in tomorrow’s McKelvey Asbestos Bushwhacker Rally in Omagh, the outcome of the McGrady Insurance Northern Ireland Rally Championship could also draw to a close should series leader Derek McGarrity (Ford Focus WRC) secure a top four finish.

Although Monaghan’s Josh Moffett (Ford Fiesta WRC) won the Clare Rally, the penultimate round of the Triton Showers National Rally Championship, he faces an uphill battle to win the series after his main rival Donegal’s Declan Boyle, co-driven by James O’Reilly came home in fifth.

Having spurned a chance to tighten his grip on the Triton Showers National Rally Championship, Donegal’s Declan Boyle (Ford Fiesta WRC) faces title rival Monaghan’s Josh Moffett (Ford Fiesta WRC) on Sunday’s Charlie McEnery Motor Services Clare Rally, the penultimate round of the series.

It’s been a topsy-turvy few days for the Prestone British Rally Championship organisers.

Josh Moffett’s victory in the Enniskillen Trailer Parts & Spares Lakeland Rally that saw him clinch the Valvoline Irish Forest Rally Championship, was mired in controversy after he was excluded from the results; but after two appeals and a stewards’ meeting the decision was overturned and he was re-instated as rally winner some five hours later.

A resumption of the Triton Showers National Rally Championship after 11 weeks and the return of the Stonethrowers Rally after a two-year absence dovetail on Sunday in the Clonmel event.

Monaghan native Barry McKenna (Ford Fiesta R5), who co-driven by Leon Jordan, jetted in from his New York base and claimed victory in the Crafted Fitted Furniture Cork Forest Rally that was based in Mallow and counted as two rounds of the Valvoline Irish Forest Rally Championship.

On what was a test exercise for his forthcoming outing in the World Rally Championship (Rally Finland) Waterford’s Craig Breen (Citroen C3 WRC) and co-driver Scott Martin finished third in Rally Estonia.

Significant Government investment is needed in Cork to build more dedicated bus lanes to speed up journey times which are grinding to a snail’s pace at peak hours.

A farmer who suffered crush injuries after he was attacked by a cow on a farm died of multi-organ failure, an inquest heard.

Cork City have extended their lead at the top of the SSE Airtricity Premier League Division to 16 points following a 2-1 victory over Sligo Rovers at The Showgrounds last night.

Martin Walsh tells you all you need to know about the upcoming Clonakilty Blackpudding Irish Tarmac Championship.

The Nire have been here before. Tomorrow they face Dr Crokes of Killarney in the Munster SFC club final, but two years ago they had Austin Stacks of Tralee on the rack at the same stage of the competition. They just couldn’t close it out.

Tie hole drama was the order of the day when the finals of three Munster inter-club competitions were decided over the weekend.

A woman was unable to save her beloved family dog when he was attacked by a collie and as the owner of that dog appealed against a court order to have him put down, a judge praised her “canine Christianity”.

The Major 2.5m Cyclone Mower was demonstrated in various locations in the west of Ireland recently.

Homeowners concerned that their drinking water may contain lead have been advised to call their plumber to ask about the pipes to their homes.

A guide to the championship won last year by Ballyhea.

The US northeast struggled to dig out yesterday from another major winter storm that made February the snowiest month in Boston’s history, but bitter sub-zero cold and huge drifts hampered the effort.

USA:

Until just over a year ago, silverware had proven elusive for the current Cloughduv U16 hurling side.

Gardaí are mounting extra patrols at motorway bridges on the outskirts of Cork City after a spate of rock-throwing at passing vehicles, the latest involving boys as young as nine who shattered a side window on a passing Bus Éireann Expressway.

Leap cards, which allow users to bulk buy public transport at a 16% discount, are now available outside Dublin.

A new political era began as Martin Walsh was sworn in as the new mayor of Boston, succeeding the city’s longest-serving chief Thomas Menino, who retired after more than two decades in office.

Central Remedial Clinic officials will not be allowed to “walk off into the sunset” and will be forced to face the consequences of the top-ups scandal engulfing the group.

The Central Remedial Clinic has failed to clarify if the senior officials who resigned from the scandal-hit group last night received lavish lump sum retirement packages secretly funded by charitable donations.

The board of the Central Remedial Clinic has resigned today.

Residents on Cork’s northside fighting to save their bus service have expressed bitter disappointment after talks with Bus Éireann yesterday.

The West Limerick Forest Rally, the opening round of the Valvoline Irish Forest Rally Championship, ended with a dramatic final stage victory for County Down’s, Philip Morrow and co-driver, Johnny Hart.

Postcards depicting streetscapes 100 years apart are to be given free to people in Co Cork as part of an attempt to attract the diaspora back to the county for The Gathering.

UCC, the hosts and favourites, booked their place in today’s Fitzgibbon Cup final and in the process set up the first all-Cork college decider in the history of the event.

Tipperary manager Declan Ryan is relishing the prospect of an early season joust with old rivals Cork next Sunday in what could be an early season dress rehearsal for a Munster semi-final in the summer.