Fine Gael and Labour have reportedly indicated their willingness to sign up to proposals restricting political interference in the jail terms of prisoners.

Junior Minister Tony Killeen is reportedly set to ask his government colleagues to consider banning politicians from getting involved in the release of prisoners.

BELEAGUERED Junior Minister Tony Killeen yesterday met with the mother of a murdered man to apologise in person for requesting the killer’s early release — but further revelations of requests for early prisoner releases have come to light.

The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, is defending Junior Minister Tony Killeen amid the controversy surrounding his attempts to seek early release for a convicted murderer.

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny has said that he is not surprised that Junior Minister Tony Kileen was not forced to resign over comments he made about the release of Christopher Cooney.

The mother of a man murdered in Co Clare 16 years ago has said she will refuse to accept an apology from a government minister who sought to get the killer released early from prison.

UCC DEMONS will welcome the extra few days to prepare for their crucial NIVEA for MEN SuperLeague clash with Abrakebabra Tigers in Tralee, which has been rescheduled for Wednesday night.

BOTH the Abrakebabra Tigers coach Dave Falvey, and the Limerick Lions coach Tom Hehir were left holding their heads in disbelief after Tigers had snatched an 89-92 victory and the vital NIVEA for MEN SuperLeague points on the buzzer at UL Arena yesterday afternoon.

UCC DEMONS star Colin O’Reilly, the NIVEA for Men SuperLeague’s leading Irish scorer last season, has signed a professional basketball contract with ETP SW Essen in Germany.

Roma St Vincent’s have stayed true to their recent good form to win their 7th league game in a row and take the 2006 NIVEA for Men SuperLeague title for the first time since 1994.

UCC Demons 81 Limerick Lions 79

Limerick Lions 79 UCC Demons 81

THE happenings of last weekend rendered the formbook for tomorrow’s Men’s SuperLeague Cup Final meaningless.

Neptune 89 Limerick Lions 91 (after overtime)

THE battle for National Cup glory reaches the penultimate stage this weekend when the semi-finals will be decided, with the focus on the National Basketball Arena where the men and women of the SuperLeague will face intriguing ties on Sunday afternoon.

Limerick Lions 105 Gleneagle Lakers 91

Limerick Lions 95 Roma St. Vincent’s 92

UCC DEMONS bounced back from their shock cup defeat with a spectacular 127 to 96 victory over Abrakebabra Tigers in Saturday’s thrilling NIVEA for MEN SuperLeague clash in Tralee.

LIMERICK Lions are aiming for a hat-trick of away victories tomorrow night as they travel to Cork to play UCC Demons in the first round of the SuperLeague Men’s National Cup.

AS I write, Terri Schiavo is not yet dead. But she is surrounded by death.

DEFENCE MINISTER Michael Smith will be seeking a share of the €14 billion funds in the SSIA schemes to finance the expansion of the naval service — particularly more high-speed drug trafficking interception boats.

TOM HEHIR, the Burger King Limerick Coach, faces a race against time in a bid to sign an American before tomorrow night’s ESB SuperLeague clash with Waterford Crystal at the University Arena.

After a brief hiatus, the men's Superleague is back in full swing this weekend with eight games on over the weekend.