"Subs have been running roughshod all over the place, like a herd of buffalo".

Conor Stakelum, 24, is Ireland’s top male ice skater. The four-time Irish champion, from Stillorgan in Dublin, developed his skills originally on the Dundalk Ice Dome and in Belfast, but is now training full-time in Dundee, Scotland. Last weekend, in Germany, he became the first Irishman to qualify for figure skating’s senior European Championships.

Tesco is to stop selling single-use plastic bags in its stores, replacing them with "bags for life" to be offered at double the price.

Councils in Belfast and Derry have launched a joint bid for the European Capital of Culture title in 2023.

Tesco’s Irish operations — which employ more than 13,000 people — will not be affected by the British supermarket giant’s latest cost-cutting round.

Up to 1,100 jobs are being axed at supermarket giant Tesco as the group confirmed plans to shut its call centre in Cardiff.

100 years ago this week, just before shipping was made safer by the entry of the United States into World War I, a number of Cork vessels were sunk by German U-boats and mines. Patrick G O’Shea recalls one of the lost ships, on which a relative was killed.

Boxer Dale Evans has spoken of his heartbreak following the death of opponent Mike Towell.

The management team behind Scottish boxer Mike Towell, who died on Friday following a televised bout, has said it was not aware of any headache complaints by the fighter before the match.

English clubs’ wariness over the potential of Celtic makes a move south unlikely, according to boss Brendan Rodgers.

He's even got the wig.

Good afternoon. Here’s all the news you need to know this lunchtime.

Swimmer Nicholas Quinn on qualifying for Rio, punishing training regimes, and supporting Newcastle United.

Brian Toomey may not have got the win he craved on his fairytale return to riding but the inspirational jockey was just glad to be back in the saddle at Southwell two years on from a fall at Perth that left him dead for six seconds.

A fund similar to one which is being used in Britain and which is EU-compliant could help embattled Cork Airport create more routes.

Authorities in Cyprus have denied that there was a child abduction attempt at a hotel popular with British and Irish holidaymakers.

Seven hundred and four days after suffering serious injuries in a fall at Perth, Brian Toomey has again been granted a professional jump jockeys’ licence.

A man in the UK has been charged following an incident where a man allegedly crashed his car and then ran naked through a toy shop.

Rockwell

This father thought he was outwitting his teenage (but hopefully over-18) daughter when he pulled this prank on her.

This British father thought he was outwitting his teenage (but hopefully over-18) daughter when he pulled this prank on her.

One of Ireland’s foremost show jumpers, Cameron Hanley, has lost the ride on almost all of his top horses.

The Queen has used her Christmas Day broadcast to highlight the importance of reconciliation between opposing sides – from communities in the North to those involved in the Scottish Independence referendum.

Shackleton: By Endurance We Conquer

I can be very lazy. I think many people who work as hard as I do can be. 

THE Scots have spoken loud and clear, they will remain in the union but nothing will ever be quite the same again.

Two friends, divided by their views on Scottish independence, travel the length of Britain. But will their friendship survive the trip?

The battle for Scotland’s future is on a knife edge but is "moving in the direction of Yes", the country’s deputy first minister said, as two separate polls gave the No campaign the narrowest of leads.

Despite fear of change, Scottish people are disillusioned with Westminster and believe it’s time to make their own decisions, Jonathan deBurca Butler discovers while talking to Scots living in Ireland

A six-year-old football fan from Dundee in Scotland has become an internet star after applying to become manager of Celtic.

A not-so-miniature pinscher dog more than double its ideal weight is among some of Britain’s most obese animals who have been entered into a slimming competition.

Reluctant gambler Mick Martin will rarely punt the full house: “You’d have put your kitchen sink on Hernandez to score there.”

DRUG STORES

WHETHER in or out of prison, Nelson Mandela was a crowd puller.

Whether in or out of prison, Nelson Mandela was a crowd-puller.

Scientists have identified a gene that regulates alcohol consumption which when damaged can make mice drink to excess.

The music industry is often more obsessed with stars having a sellable persona than trusting fans to know the difference between their real character and the music they create.

DO you want to be a writer? Novelist AL Kennedy’s book, On Writing, might be a guide. Kennedy will appear at next week’s Mountains to Sea book festival in Dublin.

Under the hammer

Brian Toomey “continues to show positive signs of recovery” from serious head injuries he suffered in a fall at Perth on July 4.

Investec Oaks runner-up Secret Gesture will not run in the Darley-sponsored equivalent at the Curragh on Saturday after suffering a setback.