Latest: The Cabinet has been meeting in Sligo this morning as it prepares to unveil its investment plans for the country for the next 25 years.

Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin has described this week's meetings between the Pope and Irish bishops as the first step in a long process, while Cardinal Sean Brady has said he is very sorry to hear victims of clerical abuse are disappointed by the outcome of the meeting.

“IT worked out today, but I might fall on my arse again the next day,” laughed Larry Murphy one summer’s evening three years ago.

The partner of a man beaten to death with a pick axe in West Dublin has told the Central Criminal Court that her four-year-old daughter asks her every day "when is daddy coming back?".

The British government has said it made it clear to loyalists this week that they must end all paramilitary activity and deal with the issue of decommissioning their weapons.