Micheál Martin launched a calculated attack on Bertie Ahern last night, cutting the former taoiseach loose ahead of the looming Mahon corruption probe judgment on him.

Fianna Fáil will oppose the abolition of the Seanad, party leader Micheál Martin has pledged.

THE Department of Transport was warned in 2007 that communications equipment used by Valentia coastguard was in urgent need of replacement and any delay in doing this could lead to “catastrophic failure”.

PHONE calls made to maintenance numbers requesting the heating be switched on in an apartment block in which a young mother eventually died of hypothermia were “hung up on”, the Dublin City Coroner’s Court has heard.

An inquest finding that hypothermia caused the death of 30-year-old mother-of-two Rachel Peavoy in her council flat is a stark reminder of how society’s most vulnerable are suffering as the economic crisis worsens, writes Scott Millar

The new Fianna Fáil frontbench

THE doctor representing the family of a 30-year-old mother-of- two who died from hypothermia in her council flat, has called for an independent inquiry into her death.

ONE of Brian Cowen’s constituency colleagues has admitted Fianna Fáil will be in “fierce trouble” in Laois-Offaly if the Taoiseach doesn’t run in the general election.

Mattie McGrath has become the latest person to jump ship from the Fianna Fáil party.

Another one of Fianna Fáil's long-serving TD's has confirmed he won't be contesting the general election.

Two more long-standing Fianna Fáil TDs have announced that they are quitting politics.

A TEACHER celebrating her 50th birthday was assaulted by a former pupil who was among a crowd of youths who tried to gatecrash the party.

A Fianna Fáil backbencher has said the Taoiseach Brian Cowen has a problem with communication.

I USED to be an inveterate funeral goer – several per week. I hadn’t been to one for the past two years until the unexpected death of newspaper man and former schoolmate, Alan Ruddock.

IT’S looking increasingly unlikely that Minister for Children Barry Andrews will sanction legislation obliging the HSE to provide aftercare to children leaving care aged 18.

FIANNA FÁIL backbenchers have warned the Government targeting pensioners in the budget could have a disastrous effect on the party.

TAOISEACH Brian Cowen has lashed out at those who rewrite history by seeking to selectively blame his term as finance minister for the economic crisis.

ALMOST one million people are facing a tougher Christmas after the Government said it had no plans to alter the decision not to pay the traditional social welfare bonus.

The Taoiseach is dropping seven TDs from the junior ministerial ranks, it was confirmed this afternoon, as the new line-up of 15 Ministers of State appeared for an official photocall at Leinster House.

GARDA management yesterday advised motorists whose NCT is overdue to carry proof of an appointment for a test to avoid a possible court summons and five penalty points.

Gardaí are gearing up for a bank holiday blitz this weekend.

THE cost of sitting a driving test is to increase for most learner drivers by almost 100%.

ROADSIDE drug testing will be introduced in Ireland as soon as a reliable system is available, the Dáil heard yesterday.

A VICTORY for commonsense. That was how campaigners yesterday described the government decision to retain coastguard radio stations in Valentia, Co Kerry, and Malin, Co Donegal.

K&L Deliveries, based in Millstreet, Co Cork, has been named Fleet Transport Irish Haulier of the Year 2009 at the second annual Fleet Transport Awards gala dinner in Meath recently.

THE World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims takes place on Sunday next.

Learner drivers and taxi drivers could be hit with stricter drink-driving limits in new legislation, the Dáil heard today.

THE Government has been criticised for delays in appointing a new chairman of the Cork Airport Authority (CAA).

Junior Minister Noel Ahern has told a conference in Dublin that the nationwide roll-out of mobile speed cameras is not happening as quickly as he would like.

Dublin has cut its road deaths by 70% over the past ten years, according to an EU study published today.

TWO MEN who drowned after rescuing a young couple off Owenahincha Beach in Co Cork were posthumously awarded the Government’s highest honour for their bravery.

BUS passengers can expect fare hikes in the near future because of a double blow to the industry from rising fuel prices and the loss of a valuable fuel rebate.

I NOTE with satisfaction some fairly recent comments by Minister of State for Transport Noel Ahern on the news that seven Irish-based shipping groups are investing about €600 million in the expansion of our shipping industry.

The Government today refused to commit to abolishing tolls on Dublin’s notorious M50.

Motorists are adjusting well to barrier free-tolling on the M50 but its major test will come during Monday morning's rush hour, it was warned today.

The Irish Maritime Development Office (IMDO) has announced expansion plans totalling over €640m by seven Irish-based shipping groups.

Among the middle classes and the affluent, cocaine is the recreational drug of choice. In the aftermath of this week’s trial in Cork Allan Prosser looks at its history, its place in popular culture, and the threat it poses to society.

BRIAN COWEN promoted five newcomers to junior ministerial posts last night as opposition parties accused him of indulging in “jobs for the boys” at taxpayers’ expense.

A CONSTANT in the Fianna Fáil defence of the money flying into Bertie Ahern’s bank accounts in the 1990s is that the sums involved were not very substantial.

TÁNAISTE Mary Harney and Environment Minister John Gormley did yesterday what a growing number of Taoiseach Bertie Ahern’s disconcerted colleagues have been doing for some time, but at least, and at last, they did it in public.

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern will honour his former British counterpart, Tony Blair, at a charity fundraising dinner in Dublin next month.