WOMEN have started taking to the altar across Ireland to deliver holy services as stand-ins for over-worked priests.

DUTY, honour and country. Three simple words, three abstract concepts and three defining qualities by which Brian Lenihan was remembered as he was delivered to his final resting place.

The funeral of former Finance Minister Brian Lenihan takes place in Dublin today.

PRESIDENT Mary McAleese and her husband, Senator Martin McAleese, led the mourners at Brian Lenihan’s removal last night.

Irish President Mary McAleese has led hundreds of mourners at the removal of the former Finance Minister Brian Lenihan.

Books of condolence will open at Government Buildings and at the civic offices in Athlone today for the late Brian Lenihan.

BRIAN LENIHAN’S removal will take place at 6pm tonight in Dublin.

Hundreds of sympathisers queued to pay their respects to former finance minister Brian Lenihan today.

There is a steady flow of people arriving at the constituency office of Brian Lenihan this afternoon, paying their respects to the former Minister for Finance.

The funeral details have been announced for the former Finance Minister Brian Lenihan, who died yesterday at the age of 52.

“AMBITIONS somewhat fade when you are in a position like this. You focus on survival yourself and doing your job right.”

A Dublin teenager has been sent forward for trial for the murder of 12-year-old Michaela Davis.

AN order winding up Pierse Contracting and Pierse Building Services with the loss of 109 jobs was made at the High Court yesterday after the heavily insolvent companies withdrew their petition for examinership.

A teenager who is charged with murdering Dublin schoolgirl Michaela Davis is due back in court today.

A TEENAGER accused of murdering 12-year-old Michaela Davis last weekend has been remanded in custody for a further three weeks.

The teenager accused of murdering 12-year-old Michaela Davis in West Dublin has been remanded in custody until September 24 during a brief court appearance this morning.

The teenager accused of murdering 12-year-old Michaela Davis is due up in court this morning.

IN a grim reversal of the joyful occasion when baby Michaela Davis was first carried into St Mochta’s Church to be christened, the 12-year-old girl’s remains were carried out by her family after her funeral yesterday.

The funeral has taken place of the murdered Dublin schoolgirl, Michaela Davis, whose body was found beside the Royal Canal in Dublin last Saturday.

The family and friends of 12-year-old Michaela Davis will gather for her funeral mass later today.

GARDAÍ yesterday took computers from the home of schoolgirl Michaela Davis, who will be laid to rest tomorrow, with her funeral service due to take place in her local church just minutes from her home.

EIGHTEEN-YEAR-OLD Jonathan Byrne from Clonsilla in west Dublin has been charged with the murder of schoolgirl Michaela Davis.

An 18-year-old man appeared in court today charged with murdering a 12-year-old girl whose body was found dumped by a canal.

GARDAÍ were yesterday combing a second crime scene and questioning a young man in relation to the killing of 12-year-old Michaela Davis, who may have been exploited by older teenagers before her violent death.

A missing 12-year-old girl was found dead on the banks of a canal in Dublin today.

The family of millionaire businessman Patrick Rocca, have been left numb by his sudden death, mourners at his funeral were told today.

TWO-thirds of primary schools opening their doors for the first time in September will offer multidenominational education in a reflection of growing demand for schools not run by the churches.

Rail services on the Dublin to Sligo line are back to normal today following a signal failure that caused major disruption yesterday.

IN recent weeks Education Minister Mary Hanafin has publicly blamed local authorities for the school places crisis which has led to the establishment of primary schools dominated by foreign nationals in areas such as Balbriggan and Diswellstown/Porterstown in my Dublin West constituency.

A new primary school run by the Catholic Church will open in west Dublin even though most pupils are likely to be non-Catholic, the Diocese confirmed today.

A PROPOSED new rail line directly linking major population centres in west Dublin with Dublin Airport should persuade many car users to avoid using the M50, according to Transport Minister Martin Cullen.