We left the panto a divided family. Just which character was the best? “Beast,” shouted the youngest one. “The Dame,” the eldest insisted. “Gasbag and Oui Oui,” the middle-child interjected.

AS the American Senate tries to establish to what extent Russia influenced the election of President Donald Trump and as YouTube has to climb down over false conspiracy theories on the Las Vegas shooting, the what-can-we-believe questions scream ever louder. 

Eamon Dunphy’s much-loved and acclaimed football book Only A Game? has been reprinted on its 40th anniversary. Four decades on, Eamon accepts he has been wrong about nearly everything since, but there’s still a special place in his heart for the good pro.

I would often say how worrying it was that Denis O’Brien had such control over the Irish media, writes Alison O’Connor

In contrast to last year when Declan Boyle clinched the Dunlop National Rally Championship at the Clonmel-based Sepam Tipperary Stonethrowers Rally, the Donegal driver will journey to South Tipperary this weekend to keep his current title bid alive.

Dunlop champion Declan Boyle is an absentee from Sunday’s third round encounter the Seven Oaks Hotel Carlow Rally.

Some of the top blind golfers in Ireland hope to inspire a new generation to take up their clubs and tee-off as an international competition comes to Cork for the first time.

I was on a different continent when Ireland missed a host of chances before Thierry Henry handled in Paris.

An editorial charter is on the cards for Independent News and Media. Michael Clifford looks at where this leaves freedom of the press

THE next time Justice Minister Alan Shatter brings up the idea of privacy legislation to regulate media shout these two words at him: “Mitt Romney”.

The continuing row between journalist Sam Smyth and media owner Denis O’Brien took a further twist yesterday when Mr Smyth took exception to the view expressed by Today FM CEO Peter McPartlin that his enforced departure from the radio station was due to falling listener figures and not because of influence exercised by Mr O’Brien.

As communications become more internationalised, personal and unfettered it may seem anachronistic to suggest we need to pay more attention to our domestic media, who owns and controls it.

Harlequins drew first blood in this season’s battles with Heineken Cup opponents Connacht, but coach Eric Elwood is not unduly worried, knowing there are more significant challenges ahead.

Michael Lowry’s incredible ability to bounce back from misfortune has been underscored by his lucrative association with a bumper horse sale yesterday in France.

Billionaire media mogul Denis O’Brien will not be investigated for excessive influence over his radio and newspaper empire.

In a close finish to the Modern Tyres Mourne Rally, round five of the Carryduff Forklifts Northern Ireland Rally Championship, Drew Stewart (Ford Escort) took a 12-second victory over the Mitsubishi of Andrew Stewart.

The weekend events north and south of the border provide an interesting contrast.

Having punched in the third fastest time on yesterday’s opening stage of the Tour de Corse, round four of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge, Craig Breen suffered disappointment when his Sainteloc-run Peugeot 207 S2000 broke a driveshaft on the second stage as he lost touch with the leaders.

Independent TD for North Tipperary Michael Lowry has lost his High Court bid to secure summary disposal of a defamation case brought over comments by journalist Sam Smyth.

The National Union of Journalists has welcomed today’s High Court dismissal of an appeal from Independent TD Michael Lowry in a defamation case against journalist Sam Smyth.

The High Court has this afternoon dismissed an appeal from Independent TD Michael Lowry in a defamation case against journalist Sam Smyth.

Independent TD for North Tipperary Michael Lowry has appealed to the High Court for a summary ruling in a defamation case over comments by journalist Sam Smyth which, the TD claims, wrongly meant he was a thief.

ECSTATIC and joyous scenes in the Galway Sportsground last night, as Connacht finally delivered on their promise to turn their poor run of results around.

THE row between media mogul Denis O’Brien and his former employee, Sam Smyth, looks set to escalate off-air after the veteran journalist told listeners to his last broadcast that he would continue to investigate issues believed central to the dispute.

A GOVERNMENT senator has called for a debate on media ownership following what he termed the “de facto sacking” of journalist Sam Smyth from Today FM.

NEWLY-CROWNED Irish Tarmac Group N champion, Garry Jennings headlines tomorrow’s Bailey NiteClub Redcastle Oceanfront Spa Hotel Donegal Harvest Rally, the penultimate round of the Dunlop National Rally Championship.

JOURNALIST and broadcaster Sam Smyth was awarded legal costs in the tens of thousands against Michael Lowry after his successful defence of a defamation action against him by the Co Tipperary TD.

The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) has welcomed the decision of the Circuit Court to grant journalist and broadcaster Sam Smyth legal costs against Deputy Michael Lowry following Smyth's successful defence of a defamation action against him by the Co Tipperary TD.

Journalist and broadcaster Sam Smyth was today awarded legal costs in the tens of thousands against Michael Lowry following Smyth’s successful defence of a defamation action against him by the Co Tipperary TD.

WITH an unbeaten record in the current Dunlop National Rally Championship, Tim McNulty, can clinch his first major title on Sunday’s eighth round of the series in Clare although he will need a little help from his rivals.

TIME may be running out for Tim McNulty’s rivals to thwart his bid for the Dunlop National Rally Championship title.

WHAT appeared to be a cracking entry for Sunday’s Kilkenny-based Suirway Farm Machinery Raven’s Rock Rally, the fifth round of the Dunlop National Rally Championship, has been decimated by a series of withdrawals.

A GARDA investigation is continuing into suspicions that Independent News and Media (INM) chief executive Gavin O’Reilly was being spied on.

FORMER president Mary Robinson called for a continued “energising” of the public’s spirit to help lift Ireland out of recession.

EVEN though he had to replace the power steering pump on three separate occasions, Meath’s, Tim McNulty (Subaru WRC) maintained his unbeaten sequence in the Dunlop National Rally Championship.

If Ben Dunne had never met escort Denise Wojcik, Lowry could be Taoiseach, Haughey revered and O’Brien’s reputation unblemished, writes Michael Clifford

A judge has refused Independent TD Michael Lowry a declaration that he was defamed by journalist and broadcaster Sam Smyth on TV3’s 'Tonight with Vincent Browne' programme and in a newspaper article.

Michael Lowry denied in court today that he was a corrupt politician, dishonest, untrustworthy and unfit to be a Minister or a TD.

Former Minister Michael Lowry is in court claiming comments by journalist Sam Smyth wrongly imply he is a thief and a corrupt politician.

Journalist Sam Smyth has told a court today that he will meet an application by Tipperary politician Michael Lowry head on in a defamation action.

FINANCE Minister Brian Lenihan has questioned whether the country could cope with the introduction of a property tax in the short-term.

The Minister for Finance has again rejected suggestions that the Government went against a recommendation over the blanket guarantee to the country's banks.

The latest round of the Irish Junior Rally Championship incorporated in today’s Cork Mini Stage Rally at Donoughmore, resulted in a narrow victory for Cork pair, Damien McCarthy/Eamonn Hayes (Honda Civic), who finished just 1.9 seconds ahead of Peter Wilson/John Kilmurray, also in a Honda Civic.

LEITRIM COUNTY COUNCIL and Leitrim County Development Board have launched a campaign to bring business to the county and to encourage more people to relocate to work and live there.