Had things gone differently, then former Limerick minor hurler Stephen Fitzgerald might be preparing for a big one in the Gaelic Grounds instead of being part of an Irish squad bidding for glory at the World Rugby U20 Championship in Italy.

A man on trial for fraudulent bankruptcy opened fire in Milan’s courthouse in a “cold, premeditated” spree, killing his lawyer, a co-defendant and a judge before being captured nearly 25km away as he fled on a motorbike.

The Football Association of England is investigating Mario Balotelli over a social media post which appeared to contain anti-Semitic and racist references.

PREMIER LEAGUE:

Former Italian premier Silvio Berlusconi has declared a “day of mourning for democracy” as the Senate prepared to vote on whether to kick him out of parliament following his tax fraud conviction.

Former Italian premier Silvio Berlusconi’s defence team has denied there were any erotic escapades at dinners at his villa near Milan and accused the court of bias against the media mogul.

Romans went to the polls yesterday to elect a mayor of Italy’s capital in a vote which could have repercussions for the fragile national government of prime minister Enrico Letta.

Mark Cavendish sprinted to victory in Brescia to take the red jersey in the Giro d’Italia and become only the fifth-ever rider to win the points classification in all three of cycling’s Grand Tours.

Prosecutors in Italy have called for a six-year prison sentence and a lifetime ban on holding public office for Silvio Berlusconi, the former prime minister charged with abuse of office and paying for sex with a minor.

Italy 28 Tonga 23

Mario Balotelli profile

Mario Balotelli was tonight expected to be passed fit for Italy’s European Championship opener against Spain.

A 74-year-old widow, who spent most of a sun holiday in her hotel bedroom after having been injured when a sun lounger collapsed underneath her, has been awarded €38,000 damages against the hotel.

Three hikers have died after being caught in an avalanche in northern Italy.

Italy striker Mario Balotelli has admitted he is growing weary of hearing racist abuse when playing football.

Frenchman Damien Monier attacked on the final climb to claim victory on stage 17 of the Giro d’Italia today.

HOW do you solve a problem like Mario?

TENS of thousands of Italians fed up with Silvio Berlusconi marched peacefully through Rome over the weekend to demand the resignation of the scandal-plagued premier.

Italian police arrested a Pakistani father and son accused of helping to fund and provide logistical support for last year’s terrorist attacks in Mumbai, India.

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola insists he is unconcerned by the decision of the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) to reopen the case against him over alleged drug use during his time as a player at Brescia.

West Ham today confirmed Gianluca Nani as their new technical director.

Italian police said today that they had broken up a Nigerian-run mafia organisation – complete with blood-drinking initiation rites – that controlled prostitution rings, extortion and fake credit card scams.

THERE is a certain symmetry that the player who got Italy’s World Cup campaign off to a winning start is the same one whose intervention earned them a place in tomorrow’s final against France.

Authorities have arrested three Algerians suspected of preparing a terrorist attack in Italy, news reports said today.

Italian authorities have arrested three Algerians suspected of links to a militant group that has allied itself with Osama bin Laden, it was reported today.

Investigations in Italy could delay the extradition of a suspect sought by British authorities for the failed London bombings on July 21 and arrested in Rome last week, the suspect’s defence lawyer said today.

ITALIAN police described in detail yesterday how they monitored a London bombing suspect’s mobile phone calls before arresting him in Rome and said his extradition to Britain would not take long.

Police described in detail today how they monitored a London bombing suspect’s mobile phone calls before arresting him in Rome and said his extradition to Britain would not take long.

A Rome judge today questioned a suspect in the failed London bombings, before ruling on whether to bring charges of international terrorism.

ALLEGED would-be suicide bomber Hussain Osman was only staging a protest in his actions on July 21 and is not a terrorist, his lawyer said yesterday.

Police in northern Italy today arrested another brother of the London bombings suspect jailed in Rome, on charges of destroying documents sought by investigators, the Italian news agency ANSA reported.

The final two places in the Heineken Cup 2005-2006 tournament have been claimed by Clermont Auvergne and Cardiff Blues.

Barcelona legend Pep Guardiola has vowed to prove his innocence after an Italian court sentenced him to a seven-month jail sentence for doping.

People in Rome, Milan and other Italian cities today got around on public transport, bicycles, on foot and even on horseback as car traffic was banned for several hours to lower air-pollution levels.

Calvisano 10 Leicester 62

West Brom will be without central defender Darren Moore and midfielder Cosmin Contra for tomorrow’s FA Cup trip to Preston.

European rugby officials are travelling to Italy after Leicester complained about the change of venue for their Heineken Cup tie against Calvisano next month.

ARSENAL winger Fredrik Ljungberg insisted he has no intention of leaving Highbury this summer - even if Patrick Vieira departs for Real Madrid.

Arsenal winger Fredrik Ljungberg insisted he has no intention of leaving Highbury this summer – even if Patrick Vieira departs for Real Madrid.

Despite a contract deal, Italian transport workers kept up a series of strikes today, bringing buses, trams and trains to a stop in several major cities.

THE FEATHERS were ruffled during last week’s Italian Open, but the fur could really fly at The Belfry over the next few days when Seve Ballesteros renews contact with the officials of the PGA Europen Tour during the Benson & Hedges International.

Defending champion Ian Poulter is hoping history is about to repeat itself in the Italian Open starting today.

COLIN MONTGOMERIE returns to the 'comfort zone' of the European Tour this week, armed with new clubs and confident of putting his American nightmare behind him.

An earthquake measuring 5.2 on the Richter scale has rocked northern Italy and parts of Switzerland, Austria and Germany.