Labour has managed to secure its speaking rights in the new Dáil after party TD Willie Penrose retained his seat following a six-day count in Longford-Westmeath.

An investigation has been launched after hackers took down several Government websites this morning.

Gardaí investigating the disappearance of Wicklow woman Anne Shortall discovered a body yesterday afternoon.

In reference to Cork woman Donna Hartnett, and the impassioned and compelling letter she wrote: it struck a chord and encapsulated the immense frustrations of ordinary families facing the onslaught of wave, upon wave of taxes and bills.

I recently attended my local water charges protest and saw the massive turnout nationwide on RTE news. Since then I’ve seen the reports of the uncharacteristic expressions of anger and frustration of the Irish public.

The buzz, the excitement: it just wasn’t there at the count centre in Keenagh in Co Longford on Saturday where counting of votes in the Longford-Westmeath by-election was taking place.

An Independent has become the first councillor elected in the country, with Michael Kilcoyne topping the Mayo poll with two quotas.

The battle for Longford-Westmeath once again highlights Ireland’s curious tradition as a Republic that often takes comfort in voting for the hereditary principle when choosing elected representatives.

The councillor who tabled a motion in the chamber of Athlone Town Council requesting the removal of a piece of artwork from a gallery in the town has said that the piece is "offensive to those who served in the Defence Forces".

Athlone town councillors have kicked to touch a motion that a state-owned artwork featuring messages sent by hunger strikers to their families should be removed from the town’s modern art gallery.

Protesters are staging a demonstration outside this evening's meeting of Athlone Town Council, following the tabling of a motion to remove an art exhibition from the town.

'Crocodile Dundee' star Paul Hogan has resolved his seven-year battle with Australian tax authorities over alleged unpaid taxes dating back to his first international hit movie in the 1980s.

'Crocodile Dundee' star Paul Hogan is suing the Australian government for damaging his reputation during a failed criminal investigation into his tax dealings.

TWO Irishmen have died tragically while abroad in separate incidents.

Australian tax officials have lifted a controversial travel ban on Crocodile Dundee star Paul Hogan.

THE legendary Australian tracker and sire Brett Lee has been put down some weeks after sustaining an injury in a fall while running around the yard in his kennels.

'Crocodile Dundee' star, Paul Hogan, has found himself stranded in his native Australia, following a long-running investigation into his tax affairs.

Hollywood veterans Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin are to share hosting duties at the 82nd Academy Awards.

The former leader of the INLA in Dublin, Declan `Whacker’ Duffy, has been jailed for four years for membership of the organisation.

IRELAND rugby stars, Marcus Horan, Jerry Flannery and Keith Earls got a huge welcome yesterday when they went back to their old Limerick college, St Munchin’s where they honed their rugby skills.

Movie bosses have dismissed claims Adam Sandler's new film 'I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry' plagiarised a 2004 Paul Hogan comedy.

AS THE world awaits tonight’s launch of the latest Harry Potter book, wizard fans in the town of Athlone are perhaps the luckiest children in Ireland — their mayor is a complete ringer for Harry Potter.

A 14-year-old boy, who threatened Fine Gael TD and former Lord Mayor of Dublin Catherine Byrne that he would "petrol bomb her gaff" and "get her girls", has been released on probation for six months.

IF your christian name is Paul and you live in Limerick, the chances are that you are closely connected to Garryowen.

A 28-year-old heroin addict who committed a spate of burglaries and car theft across south Dublin, threatened a woman with a sword during a robbery and was found with a sawn off shotgun will be sentenced later by Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

Scotland's Gary Anderson is the highest ranked player in action at the BDO World Championships at the Lakeside today.

TWO of the country’s oldest and greatest clubs, Garryowen and Cork Constitution, clash once again this afternoon in the final of the ODM Munster Senior Cup at Thomond Park.

DYNAMIC young Dutch star Jelle Klaasen last night maintained his relentless march towards the Lakeside World Championship final with a 5-4 victory over Paul Hogan in Frimley Green.

Chevy Chase is set to head to Australia to team up with Crocodile Dundee on another National Lampoon's vacation.

A fundraising film screening with a difference will take place at the Irish Film Institute on April 24 as part of the Dublin Australian Film Festival.

British actor Pete Postlethwaite today revealed today how he turned down the chance to fulfil the “biggest dream” of his life for the sake of his principles.

The star of Crocodile Dundee has injured his back moving furniture.

IN their first year playing Dr Harty Cup hurling, Youghal CBS are within sight of a place in the knock out stages.

A lesson learned from the film Crocodile Dundee today came in handy for the deputy leader of a mountain rescue team.