The last chance to hit the dance floor at a hotel that hosted top political figures in Irish history takes place this weekend, as the new owner sells off its contents.

A 500% increase in the number of home repossessions; the shooting of a former IRA commander; the appeal by a doctor found guilty of assaulting police officers while under the influence of a date rape drug; a special report on whether the recovery is starting to flower on the high street and how Cork learned traditional hurling formations were a thing of the past. Catch up with this evening's top and most read stories on irishexaminer.com.

A former IRA commander has been shot dead in Belfast, a man attending an east Cork wedding has died after being hit by a car, former Cork captain Tomás Mulcahy says the hurlers need to improve by 200%, and the musician Bressie has called for a Yes vote in the Marriage Equality Referendum. These are some of the latest and most read stories on irishexaminer.com.

Private cars could be banned from Cork City’s main street by the middle of next year under radical traffic plans due to be published tomorrow.

IN one of the more positive responses to the recession, Dunnes Stores opened a new flagship store in Cork’s St Patrick’s Street yesterday.

A WELL-KNOWN Dublin hotel had visitors doing a double take this week as they were met with the sight of a Christmas tree in the lobby, staff handing out mince pies and other festive frolics.

A FILE is being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) after a Polish man suffered serious neck wounds in a vicious bottle assault in a nightclub.

A TEMPORARY shelter for bus drivers on Munster’s top shopping street was described last night as a “public eyesore”.