TO have been born in a republic and live now in an economy, as Theo Dorgan has put it, arises not from some mass conversion to new constitutional principles but simply from the silent tyranny of the market philosophy.

NEW technology allowing video conference-style international link-ups for court cases is being incorporated into Cork’s Washington Street Courthouse, which will be back in business by the end of January 2005. It is five-and-a-half years since the doors of the historic building closed for renovations.

YOKO ONO and U2’s The Edge team up in Dublin this week for what promises to be one of the biggest art events of the year.