The firm that operates Bunratty Castle and a host of other tourist attractions returned to profit last year.

The tourism firm that operates a host of high-profile tourist attractions, including Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, expects to break even this year after four years of combined losses totalling almost €700,000.

The chief executive of tourism firm Shannon Heritage confirmed yesterday that he is hopeful of the firm recording a net profit in 2012 after moving towards a breakeven position last year.

THE mid-west’s flagship tourism company sustained pre-tax losses of almost €240,000 last year as visitor numbers continued to plummet in the region.

A TROUBLESOME hip injury has forced Cork Church of Ireland and Ireland goalkeeper Mark Ruddle to prematurely retire from the game.

IT is more than a little ironic that Cork Harlequins ace striker Richard Gash and Cork Church of Ireland’s Mark Ruddle are best friends.

AFTER a first half which promised so much, Cork Church of Ireland were overwhelmed 5-1 by Cork Harlequins in the Munster Senior League at Harlequins Park on Saturday.

COACH Dave Passmore is confident the Irish men’s hockey team are in peak condition for their attempt to qualify for September’s World Cup in Germany.

CORK Church of Ireland coach Denis Pritchard welcomes four internationals back for Saturday’s Irish Senior Cup fourth round tie away to Belfast Harlequins.

A PARENTS’ support group for children with congenital heart defects is furious at the delay in fitting out a new cardiac out-patients’ department in the national children’s hospital.

A LIMERICK couple whose daughter died after an operation was postponed due to a nursing shortage relived their nightmare last night when their second-born baby girl became ill.

RÓISÍN RUDDLE'S heartbroken parents say they will be forever haunted by their daughter's death because her chance of life was denied by a health system they had trusted.

COMING in the wake of the scathingly critical report into the untimely death of two-year-old Róisín Ruddle, whose lifesaving operation was postponed, today’s heart-rending statement from her parents should be made required reading at every hospital in the country.

The family of Róisín Ruddle, the two year-old girl who died after life-saving surgery was delayed, have broken their silence on the circumstances surrounding their child's death.

Catherine Shanahan

A report into the death of a two-year-old Limerick girl following the cancellation of her planned heart operation is due to be discussed by the Cabinet later today.

THE perception that Ireland’s creaking health service is governed more by financial considerations than principles of patient care and compassion has deepened following the latest disclosures in the controversy surrounding the death of baby Róisín Ruddle.

Health Minister Micheál Martin is expected to announce plans later this week to establish an independent inquiry into the death of a two-year-old girl following the cancellation of her planned heart surgery.

WHILE the privacy of the Ruddle family must be respected, it would be a travesty of justice if the Government was able to cite this as a valid reason for withholding publication of the report on the tragic death of their daughter Róisín.

THE report ordered by Health Minister Micheal Martin into the death of Roisín Ruddle may not be published in full because of concerns for the privacy of the tragic toddler’s distressed parents.

THE grandfather of premature baby Bronagh Livingstone, who died last December, has called on Health Minister Micheál Martin to resign.

CORK HARLEQUINS’ reign as All- Ireland club champions came to an end at Lough Moss Leisure Centre on Saturday, when they were beaten 4-2 by Ulster Senior League winners Annadale (6-3 on aggregate).