Mid-ranking gardaí have issued stinging criticism of Commissioner Nóirín O’Sullivan, accusing her of breaching due process in ascribing “incompetence or deception” towards gardaí for the breath test scandal.

The Government’s 12-18-month root and branch review of the gardaí will not be finalised until after Easter because further consultation with opposition parties is still needed.

Former rugby internationals that played for University College Cork gathered at their alma mater last night to attend a commemorative dinner hosted by UCC Rugby president, Olann Kelleher, at Devere Hall.

A criminal has threatened a pregnant garda that he will “rape her and her unborn child”.

When Lorraine O’Neill’s daughter Mia was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis at five months old, neither she nor her partner, Terry Fay, panicked.

Heading into this evening’s much-discussed Guinness Pro12 encounter with Leinster at the Aviva Stadium, Munster find themselves in the unusual position of having already lost two of their three home games to date.

Former Ireland flanker Alan Quinlan has spoken of his surprise at the decision to bring Jonathan Sexton on tour to Argentina and expressed hope that Joe Schmidt wraps his fly-half in kid gloves for the duration.

A perfume gang are targeting chemists across the country.

New Zealand have dominated the International Rugby Board awards with Kieran Read being crowned player of the year.

Gardaí in Co Donegal have issued a new child abduction alert after another sinister approach to children.

Brian O’Driscoll admits he resented Warren Gatland’s decision to drop him from the final British and Irish Lions Test — and that it spoiled the series win for him.

The extent to which Michael “Fingers” Fingleton claimed expenses from his former employer to fund a lavish outlay on designer goods, exclusive hotels, and extravagant entertainment of developers was laid bare in court yesterday.

The make-up of Warren Gatland’s Lions playing squad may still be exercising opinions 10 days after its announcement but Stuart Barnes believes the Kiwi biggest error is the omission of Joe Schmidt from his backroom team for the tour to Australia.

The thing about Brian is ...

Munster’s list of prospective backs coaches was reduced by one yesterday after Canterbury confirmed Rob Penney’s assistant Tabai Matson had been appointed as his replacement at the New Zealand province.

The only way is down for incoming Ulster head coach Mark Anscombe following the success enjoyed under predecessor Brian McLaughlin, says former Ulster and Ireland wing Tyrone Howe.

Ireland captain Paul O’Connell is hoping the Six Nations opt for a three-week delay to the weather-hit clash with France, preferring some precious time at home to a quick return to Paris this weekend.

GARDAÍ were not able to respond to a rape victim in Donegal during the treacherous weather last Christmas because their squad cars were not fitted with snow tyres.

Frontline gardaí were unable to respond to a rape victim over Christmas because their patrol cars were not fitted with snow tyres.

NOT A great week for clubs in rugby, if you look at the headlines.

A NEW championship and a new start for so many Irish hopefuls makes today’s opening RBS 6 Nations encounter against Italy something to savour at Stadio Flaminio (2.30pm).

A BIG funeral for a giant of a man.

SKY SPORTS pundit Stuart Barnes yesterday questioned Ireland’s philosophy of country above province as the 2011 World Cup looms.

WHEN the going gets tough, the tough get going, but even the hardiest sailors think twice before venturing out in a gale. That’s why the competitors at Cork Week in Crosshaven were relieved yesterday when the weather prophets of doom proved to be too pessimistic.

I AM astounded that Brian O’Driscoll has been sensationally passed over for the International Rugby Board player of the year award for 2009 in favour of New Zealand’s Richie McCaw.

WILLIE JOHN McBride has been voted the greatest ever Lion by best-selling magazine Rugby World – though there is no place in the Top 50 for 2009 captain, Paul O’Connell.

RONAN O’GARA and David Wallace yesterday spoke emotionally of their visit to a Cape Town orphanage, describing it as a highlight of the tour to South Africa.

LUKE Fitzgerald was handed the biggest Test experience of his life when selected to play for the Lions against South Africa in Pretoria tomorrow, adding another amazing Irish chapter in the history of the touring side.

Adam Jones was told by Phil Vickery to “make sure you stuff him” after being picked to face ’The Beast’ in Saturday’s second Test against South Africa.

SOUTH AFRICA captain John Smit will lead the Springboks into the rarefied atmosphere of a Test series against the British and Irish Lions today with one fierce message to his men — it is now or never.

GARETH EDWARDS was a worried man as he left for South Africa in 1974.

AFTER all the speculation, the Lions side to contest tomorrow’s opening test was widely predictable and lacked the bolter element of Paul Wallace and Jeremy Davidson 12 years ago.

MIDDLE-RANKING gardaí have called for an end to performance-related bonuses to senior officers.

Ospreys 21 Munster 25

A DONEGAL newspaper is standing by a report which said a serving garda sergeant praised the actions of Mayo farmer Padraig Nally when he killed a man who was breaking into his yard.

EOIN REDDAN made GAA headquarters his stage on Saturday and was one of the few positives from another nightmarish day for Irish rugby.

THOMAS COOK SPORT is about to launch a series of package deals on the Irish market for next year’s British and Irish Lions tour of South Africa.

IRELAND’S most capped rugby player, Malcolm O’Kelly, is a man at ease with himself these days.

MARTIN JOHNSON believes a bold selection policy is key to a successful Lions tour as competition to lead the 2009 squad to South Africa intensifies.

MAN for man there isn’t a rugby team in the Northern Hemisphere to touch Ireland; man for man, there isn’t a club rugby team in the Northern Hemisphere to touch Munster.