Gardaí have suffered so much from pay cuts some are sleeping in cars because they cannot afford to drive home, the annual conference for rank-and-file members has heard.

Gardaí want to be issued with tasers to subdue religious extremists because the likelihood is ordinary units will have to deal with them first before armed backup arrives.

Gardaí are to demand that the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission reveals what personal data it retains on individual members of the force.

A mother-of-six jailed for refusing to pay a fine for not registering her children for home schooling has said she believes she has a constitutional right to educate her children without assessment by the State.

A mum-of-six jailed early this morning for refusing to pay a fine for not registering her children for home schooling was released just before lunchtime.

The HSE has been accused of spying on its ambulance staff for at least five years after it emerged that internal phone calls between paramedics are recorded — with some files later used in disciplinary cases.

A married couple in their 50s have appeared in court in Dublin today following several arrests in connection with a spate of recent burglaries in the South East.

Team Ireland were in jubilant form having staked their claim on 18 medals on day three of the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Athens.

TWO criminal gangs specialising in smash-and-grab raids are on the shortlist of suspects for a dramatic raid on an ATM in Tinahely, Co Wicklow.

GETTING complimented for her hairstyle is still a surprise for teenager Orla Jackman, who was diagnosed with leukaemia just over a year ago.

NOT too much shock but plenty of awe was in evidence as schoolchildren taking part in Science Week got to see, hear and touch a range of exotic creatures.

THE greatest threat to Irish farming is looming over the size of the European Union budget and its impact on the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) after 2013.

THE number of applicants for the Dairy Business degree programme, run by University College Dublin and Teagasc, has almost doubled this year, it was disclosed yesterday.

The Garda Ombudsman Commission tonight rubbished claims its investigators had potentially contaminated evidence during searches of a garda station in Limerick.

Rank-and-file gardaí will debate today whether all uniformed officers should be armed to deal with the growing threat of increasingly ruthless gangland criminals.

FEARS of serious accidents have prompted gardaí in Cork to demand that the Government fast-track the delivery of patrol cars fitted with “cages”, which can hold prisoners securely.

DRUGS strategy minister Pat Carey yesterday welcomed appeals from the family of cocaine victim Kevin Doyle to young people to “say no” to drugs.

AS THE 75th national and 43rd world ploughing championships approach, an impressive machinery and livestock exhibition at the event is being organised.

Government inactivity has let to the decline of rural Ireland, according to Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams.

More than 150,000 people are expected to attend the National Ploughing Championships in Tullow, Co Carlow during the next four days.

Niall Murray, Education Correspondent

Hilton International today signed a contract to operate the five-star Mount Wolseley Country Estate, which is to be known as The Mount Wolseley Hilton from June 1.

A PAIR of top Irish ploughmen hope to follow the example of Olympic gold medal winning showjumper Cian O'Connor and Waterford Crystal by winning the world championship in Derry over the next two days.

THREE people died in Bank Holiday weekend accidents in Galway, Kilkenny and Carlow. The latest victim, father-of-two Peter Whelan from Fernhill, Arklow, Co Wicklow, was the 16th motorcyclist to die on Irish roads this year.

A Carlow man who viciously kicked a Limerick man in the head, leading to his death, has been jailed for five years.