More slack in the labour force as people put in longer hours may be a factor in depressing wages, new research claims. Central Bank researchers set out to understand why wages have risen slowly despite the rapid unemployment drop.

The Consumers’ Association of Ireland has said it strongly suspects that the full benefits of the over 13% surge in the value of the euro against the sterling in the past year are not being passed onto Irish shoppers in lower prices.

DURING a high-speed incident involving feud gangs, a gunman opened fire while hanging out a car window weaving in and out of traffic, Limerick Circuit Court heard.