Taoiseach Garret Fitzgerald was at odds with his finance minister over how proceeds from the soon-to-be launched National Lottery should be distributed, cabinet papers from 1986 show.

An Irish start-up shaking up the education technology sphere on both sides of the Atlantic has landed a $3m (€2.7m) deal that will allow it expand its reach in the US.

The former Fine Gael minister and author of the country’s foremost guide to Irish elections, Ted Nealon, has died aged 84.

A man who left obscene and threatening messages on his ex-girlfriend's phone before beating her up believed he was still in love with her at the time, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court has heard.

CORK may be massive underdogs going into Sunday’s All-Ireland hurling semi-final with Kilkenny, but Donie Nealon says he is expecting “a rip-roaring game” because the Rebels will never fear the Cats and might have had a better preparation.

A HUGE breakthrough has been made in the search for a vaccine against meningitis B, the most common form of the illness in Ireland.

A VACCINATION against pneumococcal disease, which claims 130 lives in Ireland every year, is expected to be included in the country’s childhood immunisation scheme.

Tipperary 2-8 CIT 0-13

IT may not be Rome in October, but Munster’s hurlers are intent on making up for recent heartaches when they take on Connacht in the M Donnelly Inter-provincial final in Pearse Park tomorrow.

CORK are restricted to just two representatives - Ronan Curran and Joe Deane - on the Munster team to face Leinster in the M. Donnelly Interprovincial hurling semi-final in Croke Park on Sunday (12.15pm).

AN investigation is underway after two trams packed with hundreds of commuters collided in Dublin’s city centre yesterday, injuring three people and leaving one of the drivers needing treatment for shock.

TRINITY BIOTECH shares slumped 10% yesterday after the Wicklow-based developer of clinical tests saw first-quarter pre-tax profits fall to $748,000 (€634,000), 60% less than the same period last year.

Bray-based diagnostic manufacturer Trinity Biotech saw revenues up 6% to $16.4m (€13.84m) for the first quarter of 2004.

RETIRED Munster Council secretary Donie Nealon believes the level of alcohol abuse must be tackled as a matter of urgency at all levels of society.

THE Munster Council has turned around investment losses of almost €250,000 in its latest annual returns.

THE threat of “dire financial difficulties” being experienced by other sporting organisations should serve as a stern warning to the GAA on the dangers of professionalism.

DINNY CAHILL and Donie Nealon are not in the running for the Tipperary hurling manager's post vacated by Michael Doyle.

ENNIS Town Council Manager Simon Moroney is the new full-time secretary of the Munster Council of the GAA.

A MAGNIFICENT goal from full- back Paddy Nealon two minutes from time gave O’Donovan Rossa a deserved draw in this highly entertaining permanent tsb Cork SFC clash at Brinny yesterday.

THEY may be out of the permanent tsb Cork County SHC, losing 2-16 to 3-8, but new kids on the block, Delanys, came of age at Páirc Uí Rinn on Saturday, giving champions Blackrock a searching test.

A CHAMPIONS League-type format for the GAA championships is a non-runner, according to Donie Nealon, who bows out after 26 years as secretary of the Munster Council this season.

Tipperary 3-19 Clare 1-5

COLLEGE students are at high risk of contracting meningitis but are often unwilling to avail of free vaccines, according to experts.

MUNSTER GAA secretary Donie Nealon wants Central Council to cap the number of inter-county training sessions in a radical bid to cut costs and help GAA clubs.

Cork 4-9 Tipperary 1-9