A central component of liberal democracy, free speech faces challenges from all directions, from Islamist death sentences to the ‘no platform’ movement in universities, writes TP O’Mahony

ENGLAND: A judge has handed nine-month jail sentences to two prisoners who starred in a three-minute rap video recorded behind bars on an illegally held mobile phone.

Thomas Cook has nothing to apologise for over the deaths of two children from carbon monoxide poisoning while on holiday in Greece, the travel firm’s current boss has told an inquest.

HOME, 6.30pm, and I’m in the downstairs study where the Strictly Come Dancing theme tune is rapping out its staccato beat.

IF you suffer from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), you’re not alone.

A British pathologist has backed the findings of a postmortem which showed illegal drugs played a major role in the death of a man who became ill during a drugs raid in Cork almost five years ago.

One of Britain's most wanted men gave himself up to police today after two unarmed female officers were killed attending a “routine incident” in Manchester.

Cameron Shepherd is taking legal action against Northampton after the club terminated his contract for medical reasons.

Michelle Keegan once wet herself on the set of 'Coronation Street'.

Actress Cybill Shepherd has become engaged, she has announced.

Investigators have conducted post-mortem tests on the body of Rodney King, the central figure of the deadly Los Angeles riots, but it was expected to take several weeks to determine what killed him, officials said.

Poisoning and asphyxiation are the “foremost contenders” in the sports bag death riddle of MI6 spy Gareth Williams, an inquest has heard.

Already new GAA president Liam O’Neill is in exalted company. Not only does he stride in the footsteps of luminaries such as Maurice Davin, Con Murphy and Seán Kelly. But men like Matt Barrett, Gerald Ratner and David Shepherd can also now call him one of their own.

Video games retailer Game warned today that it is set to breach a banking agreement after a dismal Christmas capped an “incredibly tough” year for the industry.

A RACIST gang took only 10 seconds to kill black teenager Stephen Lawrence and then “casually” walked away, the Old Bailey has heard.

A racist gang took only 10 seconds to kill black teenager Stephen Lawrence and then “casually” walked away, the Old Bailey heard today.

AN ultra-light plane crashed into a Ferris wheel at a rural festival in eastern Australia on Saturday, trapping two children on the ride and two adults in the aircraft for hours. There were no serious injuries.

An ultra-light plane crashed into a Ferris wheel at a rural festival in eastern Australia today, trapping four people in the tangled wreckage for hours. There were no serious injuries.

ONE of three triplets conceived on the same day through IVF was born last month in Britain — 11 years after her twin sisters who say she was waiting “in the freezer” to be born.

IT was a rare display of human connection from a Pontiff so often dismissed as distant and dogmatically out of date.

Australia wing Drew Mitchell has been spared the axe but Berrick Barnes and Stephen Moore have both been dumped to the bench ahead of Saturday’s vital Bledisloe Cup clash against New Zealand in Christchurch.

Video games and consoles retailer Game Group today said sales would decline throughout 2010 as it turned to a former Vodafone boss to help revive its fortunes.

'Coronation Street' star Jack P Shepherd apologised today following allegations he cheated on his girlfriend.

A Greek court is this week expected to deliver a verdict in the case of two tour firm employees charged over the deaths of a brother and sister who were poisoned by carbon monoxide.

A catalogue of errors in installing and maintaining a gas boiler caused a carbon monoxide leak that lead to the deaths of two children, a court heard today.

A GRIEVING father broke down in tears yesterday as he told a Greek court of the moments leading up to the deaths of his children from carbon monoxide poisoning in their holiday apartment.

Newcastle remained a club in flux today as speculation mounted about its future ownership.

The Singapore-based Profitable Group have made formal contact with the people charged with the task of selling Newcastle.

Former Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd insists Mike Ashley is solely to blame for the club’s relegation plight and urged the current regime to stop “whingeing”.

Former Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd believes Michael Owen “owes” the Toon fans at least one more season on Tyneside.

Former Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd has told Niall Quinn to seriously consider Sam Allardyce as his next manager.

Carrigaline 2-8 St Michael’s 1-11

Newcastle remained silent in the face of vociferous fans’ protests this afternoon as speculation continued that manager Kevin Keegan is leaving the club.

AN Australian man was sentenced to life in prison for murdering a teenager who was stabbed 133 times and then decapitated in an alcohol-fuelled argument.

The Parades Commission in the North was back to full strength today just as the marching season approached.

A SHEPHERD is suing Russia’s space agency for compensation after he said a 3-metre-long chunk of metal from a space rocket fell into his yard, just missing his outdoor toilet.

Former Newcastle boss Graeme Souness admits he would return to St James’ Park “in a heartbeat”.

Canadian John Part won the 2008 Ladbrokes.com PDC World Championship with a 7-2 victory over qualifier Kirk Shepherd in the final at Alexandra Palace.

John Part is determined it will be he – and not rookie sensation Kirk Shepherd - who will make history in tonight’s Ladbrokes.com PDC World Championship final at Alexandra Palace.

Back in May, Sam Allardyce did his best to inject a dose of reality amongst the usual promises of short to mid-term glory which are made at managerial unveilings these days.

Rookie Kirk Shepherd will take on Canada’s John Part in the final of the Ladbrokes.com PDC World Championship at Alexandra Palace on New Year’s Day.

Last night saw the early exit of fourth seed Terry Jenkins at the hands of 21-year-old Kirk Shepherd at the Landbrokes.com World Darts Championship.