PDs cancel conference entertainment as mark of respect

THE Progressive Democrats have cancelled all entertainment on the opening night of their annual conference in Cork this weekend as a mark of respect to the late Pope John Paul II.

Tánaiste Mary Harney, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and President Mary McAleese will attend the Pope’s funeral in Rome on Friday morning.

But Ms Harney will return to Ireland on Friday evening for the opening of the Progressive Democrats 20th annual conference in the Silver Springs Hotel.