New multi-denominational schools will open this year in four towns where parents want more choice than only the faith-based schools currently available.

Health Minister Leo Varadkar has suggested a newly-formed independent HSE group tasked with further detailing medical card reforms will make more discretionary support available to the people who need it most.

The family of a toddler denied a medical card three times despite having Down syndrome, a hole in the heart and a collapsed lung, is still living in limbo — three months after Taoiseach Enda Kenny said the issue would be resolved "to your satisfaction".

Gardaí are investigating a fire at the constituency office of Fine Gael TD Michelle Mulherin.

There's been an arson attack on the constituency office of Fine Gael TD Michelle Mulherin.

Jack Charleton may have overseen our national soccer team’s most successful era, but retired veteran broadcaster Bill O’Herlihy has revealed he was certainly not the former Ireland manager’s number one fan.

A 54-year-old woman has died in a motorcycle crash in Mayo.

Nearly 4,500 people attended a jobs expo in Cork yesterday which clearly defined that some Irish companies still have vacancies — although they’re mainly in the hi-tech sector.

More than 150 jobs are to be created in two separate investments.

An undertaker will be part of a group giving talks on road safety to pupils in Ballina, Co Mayo today.

Talented engineer Norah Patten is hoping to become the first Irishwoman in space — and is appealing for votes to help her reach for the stars.

Younger drivers can save up to €2,876 on car insurance by shopping around, according to figures from the National Consumer Agency.

Dunne’s Irish Bar in Barcelona’s Gothic quarter attracted a full house for Ireland’s match against Spain in last night’s European Championships.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has paid an emotional tribute to his late mother, saying it was a privilege to have had her in his life for so long.

DRUGS Minister Róisín Shortall has said the suicide of a young man after a drink-fuelled night out highlighted the need to address the problem of cheap alcohol.

A GROUP of Irish students have gained international recognition for an in-car road safety system designed to save lives.

IT USED to be considered a cushy number. A free university education, the chance to travel, accommodation and housekeeper provided, instant respect, a fair degree of power, opportunities for promotion, a pension, security for life.

A Co Longford man charged with having an explosive device on the eve of the State visit of Queen Elizabeth to the Republic last month has been granted bail at the Special Criminal Court.

A pipe bomb was found on a crowded bus on its way to Dublin just hours before the Queen was due to arrive in the capital today.

TOURISTS may be embraced with open arms on the Aran Islands but when it comes to someone moving in permanently with them things can be a little different, a garda has claimed.

The public finances and cutting emigration will be highlighted by political parties during today’s General Election campaign.

AN MP3 player, a Munster tracksuit and a good-looking boyfriend were among the wish-lists Santa got yesterday on his special visit to Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital.

The Social Welfare Offices in Ballina, Co Mayo have been evacuated this afternoon after someone entered the building and released a hazardous substance.

Dublin: The Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) has welcomed Tourism, Culture and Sport Minister Mary Hanafin’s establishment of an industry-wide group to oversee and drive actions on measures to support tourism in Ireland.

MEMBERS of the clergy are being actively canvassed around the country by a group of priests disillusioned at not having a public voice. They are seeking to set up an association to represent their views.

Clerical child abuse survivors Marie Collins and Andrew Madden are to receive public awards later today.

Israeli sources have said they will intercept an Irish ship bound for Gaza.

A promising young student stabbed to death by a jealous love rival was remarkably similar in so many ways to his killer, his funeral Mass heard today.

The 22-year-old student who was stabbed to death in last weekend's knife attack at his family home in Bray is due to be laid to rest this afternoon.

A new freight rail service to Dublin Port is on track to take up to 4,000 trucks off the country’s roads, it was claimed today.

The Food Safety Authority says it served closure orders on three firms last month for breaches of hygiene regulations.

Gardaí are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a man at an apartment in Ballina, Co Mayo.

Two teenagers will appear in court today after a young garda mown down by car thieves was left fighting for his life.

The family of a young garda officer was keeping a bedside vigil tonight as he fought for life after being mown down by teenage car thieves.

A pedestrian has died after being hit by a car, gardaí said today.

The Western People newspaper and Unite trade union have issued a joint statement confirming they have agreed to hold talks in relation to an industrial relations dispute at the paper.

Members of the Unite trade union at the Western People newspaper, based in Ballina, Co Mayo, have voted to take strike action from October 31, 2008 after two staff members refused to accept new roles in the company’s offices in Castlebar and Claremorris.