MOUNTAIN RESCUE

A lorry driver has died and more than 130,000 homes have been left without power as gale force winds battered Scotland.

Overseas buyers are confidently once again snapping up country homes.

THE uniquely-labelled Cork Regency mirror featured on this page last week, the Cork clock and the tile pictures of King William of Orange and his Queen, are amongst the lots from the Fort William collection generating huge interest.

Prayers were said in the Scottish Highlands today for four climbers who were swept to their deaths in an avalanche.

Four people have been killed and a woman is seriously hurt after a group of six climbers were caught up in an avalanche in the Scottish Highlands.

A British buyer used the Christmas wind-down period to swoop on one of Munster’s best country estates, one with a trail of British blue blood — and the River Blackwater — running through it.

A Highland cottage owned by late TV presenter Jimmy Savile should be demolished as a last resort if it continues to be vandalised, according to a councillor.

CORK’S winter federation meeting, held in Burnfort Primary School a fortnight before Christmas, was hosted by Mourne Abbey ICA, who describe themselves as a guild with a big heart — with plenty of justification.

A group of rowers raising money for lifeboat charity RNLI learned just how vital the organisation is when it got into difficulty in rough seas.

Salmon withdrawn from sale in the UK amid contamination fears may have been tainted by diesel from a boat, the supplier said today.

Ireland 2-05 Scotland 2-13

THE number of salmon caught on one of the finest river beats in the county has decreased alarmingly in the past five years, and the blame is being laid squarely on drift net fishermen.

WBO featherweight title holder Scott Harrison has become embroiled in a row with his management team following suggestions he struggles to make the weight.

The UK's main parties were engaged in an intensive effort today to get their supporters out to vote in the general election that will decide whether Tony Blair wins a historic third term.

Drug squad officers were today questioning a man about one of the biggest cannabis seizures ever in Northern Ireland.

A climber was recovering in hospital tonight after surviving a 600ft plunge down Scotland’s tallest peak.

DUFFRY Rovers have lodged an appeal to the Leinster Council against the fine and two of the suspensions they received from the Wexford County Board after the ill-tempered SFC semi-final clash with Horeswood.

Heart-throb George Clooney is coming to Scotland to film a Hollywood blockbuster, it was to be confirmed today.

A fire on the set of the new Harry Potter film has eventually been extinguished.

Fire crews were today still battling to extinguish a fire which broke out at the location of the new Harry Potter film.

A fire has broken out on the set of the new Harry Potter film in Scotland.

SOME of world’s best hotels are located here, according to a newly published league table of Britain’s and Ireland’s top establishments.

EARLY today a team of Irish climbers were beginning their ascent of Scotland’s Ben Nevis.

Three climbers have had a lucky escape after an avalanche swept them about 650ft down a mountain side.

A man taking part in a charity walk on Scotland’s highest mountain died of a suspected heart attack today, police said.

A climber has been taken to hospital after falling 300ft from a gully in Ben Nevis.