A Galway-based construction firm showed plenty of vision to shrug off the recession and expand in the UK, writes Trish Dromey.

The bodies of two British backpackers murdered on a beach in Thailand were found partially naked near blood spattered rocks, a Thai court has heard.

The trial of two Burmese men charged in connection with the murder of two British tourists in Thailand has been adjourned to July.

Police in Thailand have insisted they have “concrete” evidence linking two Burmese men to the murders of British tourists Hannah Witheridge and David Miller, as they denied reports the suspects have withdrawn their confessions.

The father of a British man murdered in Thailand believes his son had stepped in to help his fellow victim when they were both brutally killed on an island.

Police in Thailand said they still have not “come up with the exact number of the suspects” following the brutal murders of two British tourists – but confirmed they are looking for more than one.

The distraught family of a young British woman brutally murdered along with a man in Thailand have arrived in the country, as police revealed DNA found on her body did not match any of their suspects.

The families of two young Britons found murdered on a Thai island have paid tribute to them as police continue the search for their killer.

Police on the resort island of Koh Tao in southern Thailand stepped up their hunt for the killer of two British tourists whose bodies were found on a beach.

Supermarket chain Tesco has been forced to rethink a plan to hire a sniper to shoot a protected bird which has been flying around one of its stores.

ENGLAND: A charity fundraiser ran 75km non-stop from Norwich to Great Yarmouth and back again without realising he had a broken foot.

CHINA: An actor’s apology to his actress wife following rumours of his infidelity has set a record for comments and retweets on China’s version of Twitter.

North Korea:

Bomb disposal experts have carried out a controlled explosion on a suspected mortar bomb discovered on a Norfolk beach.

Flood waters are reported to be receding after the worst tidal surge for more than 60 years hit coastal towns along the east coast of Britain.

The UK's coalition parties have suffered heavy defeats in local elections in England and Wales.

The winner of the battle for viewers will be announced today after the BBC and ITV went head-to-head for the first time with their respective Saturday-night talent shows.

To look at them, side by side, you wouldn’t think they were the same species.

Muddy mayhem could make an unwelcome return at Glastonbury Festival this week, forecasters warned today.

A “TURKEY tycoon” who became a cult figure thanks to his catchphrase Bootiful! has died at the age of 80 — just at the start of the US Thanksgiving holiday.

A UK Conservative Party councillor lost his seat on the draw of a playing card after a tie in a local election in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, England.

Department store chain Debenhams today hailed the success of its "Designers at Debenhams" range in helping to deliver a 14% rise in annual profits.

Department store chain Debenhams today said it expected to deliver a rise in annual profits, despite a revamp of its shops hitting sales.

A WOMAN and two men have been convicted of murdering a teenager who was doused in petrol and then burned alive in Britain, police said.

Singer Morrissey has fuelled further speculation about his health - by cancelling the London date on his world tour.

Woolworths’ final two weeks on Britain’s high streets were mapped out today as administrators released a schedule of closures for the failed retailer.

The east coast of England is bracing itself for potentially life-threatening flooding this morning although the Environment Agency said water levels are not as high as originally feared.

The east coast of England was tonight bracing itself for severe flooding as a tidal surge made its way in from the North Sea.

JOCKEY Darren Williams was seen coming out of a pub with a white envelope after a meeting with professional gambler Miles Rodgers, the Old Bailey heard yesterday.

Mervyn King was today threatened with legal action by the British Darts Organisation, after confirming he is switching to play on the rival Professional Darts Corporation circuit.

The Professional Darts Corporation have announced that Mervyn King has joined the PDPA and will compete on the PDC Pro Tour circuit.

The owner of amusement arcade chain Quicksilver plotted further expansion today after agreeing to a multi-million pound takeover from Australia.

An American crime writer has promised to pay for a charity worker’s cancer treatment after reading about her plight, it emerged today.

Amir Khan’s father today argued that British amateur boxing officials have mistreated the Olympic silver medallist since his withdrawal from the ABA Championships.

British racecourse owner Northern Racing today reported a drop in real-terms profits after the weather and uncertainty over the UK racing industry’s future adversely affected the first half.

Norwich forward Darren Huckerby remains optimistic he will be fit for the start of the new Barclays Premiership season.

The search was continuing today for missing seven-year-old Daniel Entwistle who has not been seen since Saturday.

An investigation was underway today after a ferry packed with day-trippers and holidaymakers suffered its second fire in the space of three weeks.

Up to 11 people were feared dead today after a rig helicopter crashed into the North Sea.

Five people were confirmed dead tonight and six were missing after a civilian helicopter plunged into the sea 25 miles north-east of Great Yarmouth.

Seven people were missing tonight after a civilian helicopter crashed into the sea 25 miles north-east of Great Yarmouth, the Ministry of Defence said.

Phil Taylor believes Keith Rooney of Balbriggan can follow in the footsteps of Jim McQuillan and become Ireland's new darting hero.