Ireland show jumping manager Robert Splaine spoke yesterday of "sacrifices" made in preparation for the Alltech World Equestrian Games, but they counted for nought as the team failed to secure a place in the Rio Olympics.

One of Ireland’s last surviving D-Day veterans has penned a poignant message to his fallen comrades after being forced to abandon hopes of travelling back for the 70th anniversary.

Don O’Hara fought in World War II to rebel after his father stopped him going on a date. He landed at Normandy 70 years ago today — and made it home to marry the girl he stood up, says John Verling

The Normandy beach landings were deferred on the say-so of the Blacksod lighthouse keeper, and victory was assured, says Dan McCarthy

Cian O’Connor will give Blue Loyd his first international outing since the Dublin Horse Show when he travels to Caen, France, next week.

Brittany Ferries suspended its services between Ireland, Britain, France, and Spain yesterday following a series of wildcat strikes by French employees.

Animal health and nutrition company Alltech has made a number of executive level changes in response to a surge in European agri-food production.

Police have detained around 100 people protesting against the Group of Eight summit in a Normandy resort.

THREE first-choice players from the Irish team that defeated Italy in Parma last week are out of contention for the second RBS 6 Nations U20 clash against France at Dubarry Park, Athlone, tonight (7.45pm).

PRESIDENT Nicolas Sarkozy dispatched riot police yesterday to reopen fuel depots blocked by strikes against pension reform, as the pipeline to Paris airports was cut and all of France’s oil refineries shut down.

THE family of an Irishman being held in a French prison are to hold a demonstration demanding his release amid growing fears over his health.

Local authorities have evacuated some 20,000 people in the Normandy city of Caen so technicians can defuse a 1,100-pound bomb dropped by American forces during World War II.

The global recession, Afghanistan, Iran and Middle East peace topped the agenda of talks today between President Barack Obama and French President Nicolas Sarkozy before the leaders commemorated the D-Day invasion that cemented the trans-Atlantic alliance.

AROUND 4,400 Allied soldiers paid the ultimate price for ensuring D-Day was one of the most successful military operations the world has ever seen.

SIXTY-FIVE years after he first saw the beaches of Normandy from behind a gun on the deck of a US Navy landing craft on D-Day, John ‘Harry’ Kellers will return to receive one of France’s highest honours today.

All six French aid workers convicted of a mass kidnapping in Chad have been freed in France, hours after the Chadian president formally pardoned the group, the French Justice Ministry said.

At least three of six French aid workers convicted in a mass kidnapping case in Chad walked out of prison today, hours after the Chadian president pardoned the group.

OSCAR FREIRE edged a classic sprint finish to win the fifth stage of the Tour de France yesterday as Tom Boonen retained the yellow jersey.

AUSTRALIAN Robbie McEwen stole through to claim a sprint finish win on the fourth stage of the Tour de France in Saint-Quentin yesterday as world champion Tom Boonen held on to the yellow jersey.

A root-and-branch restructuring of shipping giant P&O will see the closure of the Rosslare-Cherbourg route, as well as Portsmouth-Cherbourg, Portsmouth-Caen and Portsmouth-Le Havre.

Stormy conditions battering the ferries business of P&O showed little respite today as rival firms continued to slash prices on cross-Channel routes.

LEADERS from more than a dozen countries yesterday put aside disputes over Iraq to thank the Allied forces who fought one of the most decisive military battles ever in the D-Day invasion that broke Nazi Germany's grip on Europe.

IRISH soldiers who fought in D-Day are still haunted by memories of their friends and colleagues who died during Europe’s biggest ever conflict.

Ports and ferries group P&O today reported bumper business at its container terminals but said a downturn in tourism had continued into 2004.

A MOTHER at the centre of a tug-of-love battle with her ex-husband has made a tearful appeal for the safe return of their four-year-old daughter.

Unions reacted with fury and the threat of legal action today to news that 400 jobs and 12 routes are to be cut at budget airline Buzz.

THE nationwide strike by French air traffic controllers is due to end at 6.30 this morning with flights from Ireland to France expected to resume immediately.

A French Roman Catholic bishop was today given a suspended three months prison sentence for concealing knowledge that a priest was sexually abusing children.

A French bishop went on trial today accused of concealing that he knew a Roman Catholic priest in his diocese was sexually molesting young children.