Micheál Martin will be sleeping with one eye open as contenders for the party leadership circle having left him take the hit for an unspectacular election showing, writes Political Correspondent Shaun Connolly

URGENT action is needed to stimulate consumer spending south of the border, according to Retail Ireland who said the exodus of shoppers to the North will cost 25,000 jobs this year.

WITH their home event just a week away, Irish drivers, Colin Turkington and Gavin Smith will be hoping to improve their current positions within the British Touring Car Championship in Sunday’s three rounds at Croft.