THE priest who has been administering the Diocese of Limerick since the resignation of Bishop Donal Murray said yesterday that he expected a new bishop to be installed “this side of Christmas”.

MARGARET SHERIDAN, one of the hundreds who yesterday visited the willow tree stump in Rathkeale, Co Limerick, which many claim projects the image of Our Lady, said it has worked a miracle of sorts for her husband, Dan, who is on dialysis.

THE Health Service Executive last night published a report into the deaths of Tania McCabe and her newborn son Zach at Our Lady of Lourdes Drogheda in March 2007.

OUR LADY of Lourdes hospital in Drogheda was described as “filthy” with “toilets often blocked for long hours”, according to an online survey of hospital cleanliness standards.

MILLIONS of faithful around the world were praying for Pope John Paul II, as the 84-year-old head of the Catholic Church appeared to be approaching his final hours.

DUNDALK faces the loss of acute hospital care and the closure of 30 beds in Tralee will create chaos during the summer months, nurses have claimed.