A man who has been charged in connection with a violent carjacking last Sunday, in which a woman was struck on the head before she was driven away by her attacker, told gardaí after his arrest: "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to do it", a court has heard.

THE Health Service Executive Mid-West was unable to say yesterday if a €5 million centre for disturbed youths, lying idle for nearly seven years, will open next month as planned.

A GARDA investigation has been launched following the sudden death of a dissident republican inside Portlaoise Prison.