THE story of Elan is so full of improbable twists that if you were to read about it in a novel, you would struggle to accept it as believable.

ALKERMES Plc says it will manufacture drugs in Athlone for “one of the world’s top 10 pharmaceutical companies” in a deal that may generate from $15 million to $20m (€11m-€15m) in annual revenue by 2016.

Fergal Rafferty helped his Sam Houston State University team to a second victory of the season as he secured an 11th-placed finish at the University of Arkansas-Little Rock First Tee Collegiate tournament.

A 37-year-old woman accused of child molestation after marrying a 15-year-old friend of one of her sons pleaded guilty to statutory rape and was sentenced to nine months in jail in Gainesville, Georgia.