Increasing numbers of Europeans who have lost confidence in EU economic policies are moving from the centre to fringe and extremist parties, according to Finance Minister Michael Noonan.

The development of a cargo hub at Shannon Airport will be key to not only supporting companies across the west of Ireland but in accessing major emerging markets such as China, a global aviation conference in Limerick heard yesterday.

The wedding day of Kathy and Glen O’Brien was one of the happiest days of their lives.

With three contested positions and three other officers retiring at the end of their five years’ service, yesterday’s attendance at the Limerick GAA convention in the city’s Strand Hotel was the highest for a number of years.

OVER 350 players from across the continent are set to compete in this weekend’s Pan European Gaelic finals in Limerick.

TEACHERS at a Limerick secondary school will bring a touch of Silicon Valley to their school when one of the world’s top speakers on education technology addresses students tomorrow.

Hauliers attending this weekend’s Annual Conference of the Irish Road Haulage Association will vote on a motion to withdraw their services in protest at the Government’s failure to address the impact of rising fuel costs on their business.

BRIAN O’DRISCOLL will not be involved in tomorrow night’s clash of Ireland and the Barbarians at Thomond Park but he’s not complaining.

THE greyhounds of the year will be honoured at a lunchtime function in Limerick on Sunday, March 7th and the nominations for the various awards were selected at a meeting in Shelbourne Park last week.

LABOUR frontbench spokeswoman Jan O’Sullivan has attacked Limerick FF ministers for failing to support the 20 recommendations contained in the Mid-West Task Force interim report, which was published last July.

THE big freeze has left farmers with losses of more than €15 million because they can’t harvest potatoes still in the ground.

PROPOSED changes to the bovine TB eradication scheme have been described by the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association (ICSA) as “a minefield of bureaucracy”.

A RUGBY fan who has followed Munster and Ireland teams around the globe lost a special souvenir hat after last week’s Heineken game against Perpignan.

LEAGUE OF IRELAND Premier Division leaders Bohemians host Sligo Rovers this evening in an attempt to stay at the summit for the upcoming two-week summer break (all games 7.45pm unless stated).

THE local chamber is hosting a business breakfast with Harmonics in the Strand Hotel on March 3.

THE GREAT New Zealand wing Joe Rokocoko is the only starting member of Saturday’s All Blacks XV at Croke Park included in the lineup for tomorrow night’s clash with Munster at Thomond Park.

JP McMANUS will tonight open his generous cheque book and unfold another major contribution to Limerick GAA.