Twenty men have begun studying for the Catholic priesthood with a variety of qualifications already behind them.

It never fails to command attention — the awesome sight of a giant whale sticking its fluke out of the water, swinging it around and slapping the waves before disappearing again.

Gardaí in Co Sligo are investigating a fatal collision which claimed the life of a young man.

Mayo manager James Horan has been dealt a hammer blow after two-time Young Footballer of the Year Cillian O’Connor dislocated his shoulder in club championship action on Saturday night.

A woman who was abused for 10 years in the diocese of Clogher said he latest report from the Church’s child protection watchdog illustrates “how unsupportive” Bishop Joseph Duffy was to clerical abuse victims.

A retired Catholic bishop has admitted mistakes after a watchdog found opportunities to stop dangerous paedophile priests were consistently missed.

A former bishop has been criticised for unsatisfactory responses to child abuse allegations and risky behaviour of priests.

There have been three allegations of child abuse made against priests in the diocese of Kilalla since 1975, according to a report into child protection practices.

A judge yesterday told a 20-year-old motorist that his drunk and dangerous driving caused “the death of an unborn baby” of a pregnant garda.

Dairy farmer John Payne from Longford has won the top award in the Connacht Gold milk quality awards.

The Mayo senior football camp received a massive boost ahead of the Connacht SFC final in two weeks time when Aidan O’Shea lined out for Breaffy in the county championship yesterday.

Two Mayo brothers who were charged earlier this week with explosives and IRA membership offences were freed on bail by the Special Criminal Court today.

Two Mayo brothers have appeared before a sitting of the Special Criminal Court this evening charged with explosives and IRA membership offences.

Two men are due in court in Dublin this evening in connection with an investigation into dissident republican activity in the West.

Brian McGuigan's decision to come out of retirement and rejoin the Tyrone panel has eased their injury crisis ahead of next week's Ulster SFC showdown with Armagh.

Brian McGuigan has madea sensational u-turn to come out of retirement and could be in line to feature against Armagh in the Ulster championship on Sunday week after he returned to training last night, taking part in an in-house training match in Clogher.

Defending champions Ballintubber got the defence of their Mayo SFC title off to the perfect start with a comfortable victory over Breaffy in Clogher yesterday.

Communities will be involved in any plans to radically reorganise the amount of dioceses in this country, according to the summary report presented by the Vatican team who visited the country last year.

THE Vatican is believed to be meeting resistance from Irish archbishops to its plans to cut the number of dioceses by up to a half — meaning the country would need fewer bishops.

Widespread loyalist rioting broke out in the North overnight and left several police officers injured.

The bad weather is continuing to cause considerable disruption to public transport.

A 4,000 tonne delivery of salt for treating roads is due to arrive in Cork this evening.

Met Éireann has issued an updated severe weather alert as the country faces another day of freezing conditions.

Commuters grappled with treacherous conditions today after fresh overnight snowfalls as the big freeze showed no sign of a let-up.

Dublin Airport has reopened after being forced to close for a second time today, but the wintry conditions have forced Dublin Bus to cease all operations from 8pm tonight.

The arctic weather conditions are hitting public transport services with many bus routes not operating today.

The arctic conditions gripping the country are showing no signs of easing as Met Eireann warn that further snow showers will affect many parts of Leinster and east Munster today and tonight.

Bus Éireann has issued an update regarding the effect weather conditions are having on its services across the country.

Despite some cancellations, the vast majority of Bus Éireann services around the country are operating as per normal with some delays and diversions in affected areas.

IT was the simple, heartfelt tributes written on Áine Riordan’s white coffin that summed up the deep sense of shock and sorrow felt by young people in the wake of the Co Kerry road crash.

A review of child protection policies at Catholic dioceses in the North, including the Diocese of Raphoe, is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

THE Bishop of Kerry, Dr Bill Murphy, said victims of child sexual abuse in his diocese have not had to take oaths of secrecy since he took over in 1995.

IRISH bishops have told Pope Benedict of the devastation caused by child sex abuse, while victims still demand top-level resignations over the subsequent cover-up.

An elderly Irish priest is facing extradition from the US to face charges of child sex abuse dating back more than 40 years.

A 34-YEAR-OLD dairy and beef producer from near Claremorris, Co Mayo, who has been chosen as Ireland’s Young Farmer of the Year, believes there is a bright future for agriculture.

A tiny Co Tyrone technology company has cracked the Chinese internet market to win a prestige multi-million pound contract, it was announced today.

A VATICAN diplomat who has served in some of the most violent situations in the world is the Holy See’s new representative in Ireland.

Catholic and Church of Ireland bishops in Co Monaghan have joined forces to criticise increasing secularism in Irish society.

He may have missed out on a provincial medal with his county but Monaghan’s Dick Clerkin is willing to put county rivalries aside this Saturday for his province as Ulster look to beat Munster in the 2007 M Donnelly Interprovincial football final.

TWO cousins were yesterday buried side by side as a village engulfed in grief came to terms with the tragic loss of four young people.

WATERFORD have changed their goalkeeper for Sunday’s Guinness All-Ireland senior hurling quarter-final against Cork at Croke Park.

Tyrone legend Peter Canavan returned to the Red Hand squad last night, giving the 2003 All-Ireland champions a timely boost ahead of the Ulster football championship.

Connacht and Ulster face off in the first of the M Donnelly inter-provincial football semi-finals at Castlebar (2.15pm) today.

A row between rival unionists over next month’s crucial Northern Ireland peace process talks escalated after the DUP was accused today of breaking its promise to stop concessions to republicans.