Want an investment for 2013? Try Hickstead Derby champion Paul Beecher, writes John Tynan

Gordon Elliott’s Roi Du Mee toyed with the opposition on his way to landing the featured John Meagher Memorial Chase at Thurles yesterday.

Show jumper Paul Beecher has urged riding centres to be extra vigilant after €20,000 of his tack was stolen as he filmed a documentary last Monday.

FarmSkills, launched last week, will provide farmers with practical animal health management skills, with a view to pre-empting problems and maintaining herd performance over the long-term.

Gardaí have busted three cannabis factories, worth over €600,000, in the South-East in three days.

RUBY WALSH and Tony Martin joined forces to land a double with Psycho and Tijuana Dancer at Clonmel yesterday.

A WELL-KNOWN GAA referee has opted to be tried by judge and jury on a charge of making a false report to gardaí.

TAOISEACH Brian Cowen has signed a memo of understanding with China with regard to the export of bovine semen from Ireland.

The board of Glanbia has today elected Liam Herlihy as chairman of the company.

THE owners of a quarry alleged to be illegal have been told to halt all operations.

JUST nine months after the smoking ban was introduced, Imperial Tobacco yesterday announced the closure of its cigarette factory in Dublin with the loss of 90 jobs.

THE sale of a dairy farm at Ballybride, Conna, Co Cork was hit by uncertainty in the market in late spring of last year, and it is being re-launched on the market by Michael Barry of Dick Barry Property Partners.

Another 125 jobs have been shed in Ireland, it emerged today, in a week blighted by lay-offs.