Update 3pm: A short time ago, two others were sentenced in relation to charges arising from the investigation into Dale Creighton’s death.

Murder charges against seven people have been dropped after five of them pleaded guilty to Dale Creighton’s manslaughter and their two co-accused pleaded guilty to lesser charges.

The trial of seven people charged with murdering a man, who was beaten to death, has heard that another man seen punching and kicking him repeatedly was charged with assault causing harm.

The opening round of the Westmeath SHC was played over the weekend with all eight teams taking part in the double headers of games played in Cusack Park, Mullingar on Saturday and Sunday evening.

Treasury Holdings has been granted a preliminary High Court hearing, for this morning, challenging a move by Nama to appoint receivers to a number of its Irish-based properties following the non-repayment of the company’s loans to the agency.

Aer Lingus is celebrating 75 years in the air next Friday. Pól Ó Conghaile looks at the special role the iconic airline has played in the history of the state

HUMAN remains dating back over 4,000 years were unearthed by an archaeology enthusiast who was building a lean-to in his back garden in Co Westmeath last week.

A number of restaurants are bucking the trend and thriving during the economic slowdown.

A woman has died following a road crash in Co Westmeath this morning.

Workers at the Iralco factory in Co Westmeath have voted in favour of a survival plan that will save the majority of jobs at the plant.

Four hundred workers at the Iralco plant in County Westmeath will learn their fate today.

A Co Meath man who had pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of his friend was found not guilty of his murder at the Central Criminal Court today.

A Meath man accused of murder telephoned gardaí and told them he killed his friend “because he would not give him cocaine”, the Central Criminal Court has heard.

Staff at the troubled Iralco plant in Co Westmeath are returning to work this morning following a decision to keep the factory open for another six months.

There's renewed hope in the Midlands this morning as the focus of attention at the Iralco plant now turns to safe-guarding its long-term future.

A meeting between unions and court appointed liquidators aimed at finding a way of saving 400 jobs at the IRALCO plant in County Westmeath has been adjourned.

The future of more than 400 jobs at the Iralco plant in Co Westmeath should become clearer today.

Union leaders tonight called on liquidators to allow a leading car components firm to reopen and complete orders despite going bust.

Minister for Enterprise Michael Martin says state agencies will do all in their power to save the 400 jobs hanging in the balance at the Iralco plant in Co Westmeath.

Talks are due to take place today in an effort to save some of the 420 jobs hanging in the balance at the main employer in the Collinstown area of Co Westmeath.

ONE of the longest established manufacturing companies in the midlands is to close with a loss of 500 jobs.

There's been a major jobs blow for Westmeath with the news this afternoon that Iralco in Collinstown is to close with the loss of 400 jobs.

Gardaí will resume questioning a man today in connection with the discovery of a body in Co. Westmeath.

GARDAÍ launched a murder inquiry yesterday in Westmeath after a postmortem revealed a man died of serious internal injuries.

Gardaí now say the young man whose body was found in a camper van in Co Westmeath was murdered.

A preliminary post mortem has been carried on the body of a man in his 20s, found in Co Westmeath in the early hours of the morning.

Gardaí in Westmeath have arrested a man in his late 20s following the discovery of a body in a camper van in Collinstown early today.

SEVENTY years ago Aer Lingus Teoranta was registered as an airline, on May 22, 1936.

THE all-singing, all-dancing, fun loving members of the Abbeyknockmoy, Co Galway and Kilcloon, Co Meath clubs came out on top in the National Talent Competition in the Helix Theatre in Dublin last weekend.

Two men are due to appear in court soon in connection with a possession of cocaine worth over €100,000.