The last original member of The Dubliners was buried yesterday in a funeral attended by hundreds of people, including family, friends and renowned names from the world of music.

Mourners at the funeral of Barney McKenna, the last of the original Dubliners, have heard how his memory will be treasured.

The infamous house once served as Bertie Ahern’s political power base, but now as the keys are handed over to Fianna Fáil, it stands as a lasting reminder of a period of dishonesty and corruption, writes Michael Clifford

Fifteen years after the longest running inquiry into political corruption in Ireland was established, its final findings have been published.

Fifteen years after the country's longest running inquiry into political corruption in Ireland was established its final findings have been published.

THE owner of a store selling so-called legal highs yesterday claimed his head shop had been burned down in an arson attack.

Folk legend Liam Clancy was now reunited with his brothers and bandmates after a passionate life that was lived to the full, his funeral service heard today.

FORMER taoiseach Bertie Ahern said he was not impoverished, but not wealthy, when he was given a sum of £16,500 by a group of businessmen in 1994 despite already having savings of up to £70,000.

THE widow of one of Bertie Ahern’s dig-out friends expressed relief when a personal cheque she was expecting from the Taoiseach dropped through her letterbox last year, the Mahon Tribunal heard yesterday.

FORMER plasterer Paddy Reilly warned the Mahon Tribunal legal team yesterday not to accuse him of lying over a £16,500 cash “dig-out” he and other friends gave Taoiseach Bertie Ahern in September 1994.

One of the men who says he contributed to a whip-around for Bertie Ahern in 1994 has told the Mahon Tribunal that he gave the money as a gift, not a loan, and did not want it back.

The Mahon Tribunal is due to hear more evidence today from two of the men who the Taoiseach says gave him cash in a pub in 1994.

PUBLICAN Dermot Carew told the Mahon Tribunal yesterday he handed over IR£16,500 in cash to Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, with the comment: “Bert, the boys and myself want you to have that”.

One of the men who loaned money to Taoiseach Bertie Ahern in the 1990s has reportedly been given a key election post in Mr Ahern's constituency.

HOW does a Taoiseach shoot himself in the foot?

One of Taoiseach Bertie Ahern’s close friends who helped put up a £39,000 (€49,500) loan for him in the early 1990s revealed today he refused to take the money back four times.

NEXT Tuesday was to be one of the proudest days of their lives — attending the graduation of their eldest daughter as a doctor.

A MAJOR restructuring of the ESB could be on the cards as the company prepares to enter talks on handing over an increased share of the State asset to its 8,000 employees.

THE logical thing to do to help out the ESB workers, and save ourselves from the prospect of dreaded power cuts, is to pay our bills directly to the unions.

THE State faces possible electricity blackouts in the coming months after ESB unions yesterday decided to hold a vote on industrial action.

Talks in the new year between ESB management and unions representing staff are likely to focus on employee demands for a 20% stake of the State Body.

THE ESB finally decided yesterday to close its defunct power plant at Rhode in Co Offaly next month and pay workers a voluntary severance package worth around €10 million.