By the 1970s, Irish women made up 12% of Britain’s nurses. One of them was Mary Hazard, and her autobiography recounts her 60 happy years with the NHS, says Sharon Ni Chonchúir.

Claim son may have been killed by Westminster paedophile ring

AT 6’4”, designer Paul Costelloe stands out from the crowd.

The quips are quick, the wit, razor sharp.

With the Games just around the corner and tickets all but sold out, Brian Canty looks at how you can watch it on the cheap in London

Wimbledon’s hawk was back at the All England Club with his relieved owners this morning after being found dumped in its box at the weekend.

Chelsea were last night planning 11th-hour talks with Didier Drogba in an attempt to reach an agreement on extending his contract at the end of a day where the Ivorian was quoted as saying he’s leaving, remarks the striker’s representatives later claimed he didn’t make.

My first memory is of rain.

IT’S that time of year when the British music industry is whipping itself into a state of apoplectic excitement at the prospect of a new batch of pop contenders sweeping all before them.

David Cameron insisted today that it was “decision time” for the Liberal Democrats as power-sharing talks ran into their fifth day.

Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg today effectively opened the door of No 10 to David Cameron by saying the Conservative Party had the “first right” to attempt to form a government in the UK.

Fulham 0 Stoke 1

The UK general election will be on May 6, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown confirmed today.

Gordon Brown left No 10 for Buckingham Palace today to ask the Queen for a dissolution of parliament before a May 6 General Election.

A DUBLINER will become sporting royalty across the Irish Sea today – whether he finishes in the winners’ circle or not.

A DEVOTED father who has watched his paralysed daughter languish in hospital for almost 19 months has been refused a loan by several banks that would help get her home.

A TRAGIC Irish mother clinging to life in an English hospital will be airlifted home within days.

THIS is after the heart-breaking moment a young boy said goodbye to his paralysed mother forced to travel abroad for rehabilitation yesterday.

A SPECIALIST hospital in Britain has come to the assistance of a woman with a rare syndrome, which renders her alert but unable to speak or move as a shortage of beds continues to delay in her treatment here.

Hurricane Gustav weakened slightly to a Category 2 storm as it headed towards New Orleans today, the US National Hurricane Centre said.

HEALTH Minister Mary Harney has said the State will do everything possible to help a paralysed mother forced to travel abroad for treatment.

FRANKIE DETTORI’S restaurant venture with celebrity chef Marco Pierre White is to open for business in Ireland.

THE father of a paralysed mum forced to travel abroad for rehabilitation pleaded with health bosses last night to fund her treatment.

A PARALYSED mother who couldn’t get a rehab bed in Ireland has been offered a place at a top clinic in England.

Bookies’ favourite Oxford battled strong winds today to win the 154th Boat Race.

THE BBC has fought off a renewed attempt to force public disclosure of an internal review of its Middle East reporting.

UK chain Halfords credited its revamped Apollo and Carrera bicycle ranges and improved camping equipment lines for another strong sales performance today.

British car parts and bicycle retailer Halfords today said underlying like-for-like sales accelerated 5.3% over its last financial year.

Plans by a horse-racing consortium to buy the Tote were thwarted by the British government today.

The UK’s largest horse racing operator today confirmed it had been involved in talks regarding an industry-wide bid for state-owned bookmaker the Tote.

A horse-racing industry consortium has made a formal bid for the Tote, the British government-owned bookmaker, below its £400m (€594m) price tag, it was reported today.

THE Royal editor of the News of the World made his first court appearance yesterday on charges of mobile phone hacking.

The News of the World’s royal editor will appear in court next week in connection with a string of offences after being questioned over alleged mobile phone hacking.

Detectives are questioning the News of the World’s royal editor and two other men today in relation to alleged telephone network security breaches at the official residence of the Prince of Wales, Clarence House.

THE first mother and daughter to battle it out in a major beauty pageant in Britain yesterday insisted there would only be "friendly" rivalry between them.

JAMES ALLPORT missed his usual train to King’s Cross yesterday because he stopped to buy a newspaper to read about the successful bid to bring the Olympics to London.

Conservative leader Michael Howard lost two members of his shadow cabinet today, as senior Tories began jockeying for position in the race to succeed him.

Tony Blair has won a record third term in Downing Street today – but saw Labour’s majority slashed by nearly 100.

Dozens of rowers were rescued from the River Thames today after a big boat race was hit by severe weather.

An Israeli soldier is expected to be charged with manslaughter following the death of British peace activist Tom Hurndall, who was shot in the Gaza strip, Israeli military sources said today.

Detectives in London were tonight searching for a baby abducted from his home by an 18-year-old girl.