The man accused of murdering his girlfriend at her home in Passage West, Co Cork, more than five years ago told gardaí that he snapped, stabbed her in the neck, and set fire to the house.

Endurance swimmer Carmel Collins talks to us ahead of today’s International Ice Mile Swim in Lough Dan, Wicklow. Interview by Colm O’Connor.

MUCH of the world turned green yesterday for St Patrick’s Day as Ireland pushed itself especially hard as a tourist destination amid the worst recession in memory.