A pensioner chased a burglar out of her home with a hatchet that she had brought to bed for protection.

TWO men were charged in connection with an attack on a retired couple living on the banks of the Shannon.

The road fatality figure for the year climbed over the 100 mark yesterday morning when Declan McCormack and Kathryn Devaney died following an accident in Athlone in Co Westmeath.