A TD has assured the grieving family of murdered Cork student Nichola Sweeney that their daughter's killer should remain locked up “until 2025 at the earliest” - once a new act takes force before the killer's parole hearing.

The temporary release of their daughter’s killer has left her family hurt and angry, writes Liz Dunphy.

The surviving victim of Rochestown murderer Peter Whelan has warned that he will kill again — after hearing that he was freed from jail on day release after serving just six years of a life sentence.

A man's denial that he knew anything about 167kg of explosives found inside his "heavily laden" car - including detonators sticking out from the passenger seat - has been found to be "totally incredible" by the Special Criminal Court.

Armed gardai found four bags of explosives in the boot of a car and 18 detonators under the front passenger seat when they stopped the vehicle on the Naas Road, the Special Criminal Court has heard.

Orfeo of Greek myth was the brave minstrel who dared to go where few had ventured to rescue his beloved Eurydice, armed only with his lyre and musical skills.

Dublin Castle

A performance of Messiah, 275 years after the famous oratorio made its debut in this country, will be one of the highlights of Kilkenny Arts Festival, writes Cathy Desmond.

1. Say it with Flowers

Agencies in Limerick should seize on the opportunity provided by the “lull” in gangland violence and “prevent a storm” from building up again, a former detective has said.

Check out our spoiler-free guide to the best of tonight's TV.

The Moment of Truth

THE annual East Cork Early Music Festival is in its 10th year.

The East Cork Early Music Festival is a showcase of compositions pre-1750, says Declan Townsend

What I do: Baroque cellist and virtuoso recorder player.

Galway Vocational Schools hurling boss Bosco Hurney expects his side to be pushed to their limits against Kilkenny in next weekend’s All-Ireland final after they needed a second-half comeback to overcome Tipperary in Athenry on Saturday.

THE Naval Service will make history next month when for the first time one of its ships carries out fishery protection duties in foreign waters.

Dublin: The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) and the French Fisheries Control Authorities signed a bilateral agreement, which will enhance existing fisheries control and inspection arrangements between Ireland and France.

CLAIMS by convicted murderers Peter Whelan and Paul Lynch that the mandatory life term for murder breaches their rights under the Constitution and European Convention on Human Rights were unanimously dismissed by the Supreme Court yesterday.

THE state is entitled, both under the Constitution and the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), to enact laws stipulating a mandatory life sentence for the crime of murder, the Supreme Court was told yesterday.

TWO convicted murderers are challenging the mandatory life sentence claiming it excludes a discretionary role for judges in recommending a minimum jail sentence.

FOURTEEN Irish and EU-registered fishing boats were detained by marine inspectors in the first three months of the year for suspected breaches of fishing regulations.

THE Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority detained six Irish-registered fishing vessels for alleged catch offences in January, it was revealed yesterday.

Fishing authorities seized €30,000 worth of fish in Cork Port, it emerged today.

FISH seized in west Cork last week as part of an investigation into illegal catches have been sold at auction.

THE second of two convicted murderers began his legal High Court action yesterday against the Minister for Justice challenging the constitutionality of this country’s mandatory life sentence regime.

Catering firms responsible for food poisoning will have nowhere to hide this summer, a health protection group warned today.

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) today announced that eight Enforcement Orders were served by Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) during the month of July.

THE number of restaurants, supermarkets and takeaways served with closure orders by the country’s food safety watchdog jumped by 30% in the first six months of this year.

Gardaí have named three of the four people killed in road accidents this bank holiday weekend.

THREE people died in Bank Holiday weekend accidents in Galway, Kilkenny and Carlow. The latest victim, father-of-two Peter Whelan from Fernhill, Arklow, Co Wicklow, was the 16th motorcyclist to die on Irish roads this year.

A total of eight closure orders have been issued by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) last month.

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has announced details of its enforcement orders for February 2004.

THE grieving parents of two young murder victims have pleaded for an end to early prison release for people convicted of serious crimes and for a clampdown on bail for those awaiting trial.

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has announced details of its enforcement orders for January 2004.

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has said that 62 enforcement orders were served on Irish food business from January 1 to December 31, 2003, compared to 69 for the same period in 2002.

‘IT was a pity I didn’t do more.” The words spoken by Peter Whelan as he was arrested for the murder of 20-year-old Nichola Sweeney and the frenzied attack on her friend Sinéad O’Leary haunt the dead girl’s family who believe it showed his absolute intention to slaughter them that night.

THE attack that fateful night in April 2002 is constantly to the forefront of Sinead O’Leary's mind.

The Food Safety Authority has warned food businesses to be particularly vigilant during the Christmas party season.

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) today confirmed two food businesses were served with Closure Orders under the FSAI Act, 1998 in October.

FOOD outlets were yesterday warned they face instant closure if they don't meet proper hygiene standards.

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has highlighted its concern regarding the current outbreak of E. coli O157 in a Dublin hotel, urging the entire food industry to rigidly adhere to the best food safety practices or face the consequences.

A new approval mark for small meat plants to comply with recent regulations regarding meat products has been announced by The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI).