A man accused of murdering his ex-girlfriend and stabbing her mother could have lost control because of severe paranoia and very poor impulse control caused by "a continuum of abuse" in his childhood, a psychiatrist told a murder jury today.

One of the most high-profile Irish Roman Catholic priests to be convicted of child sex abuse was released from prison today at the height of renewed controversy over the issue.

There were tonight growing demands for a Garda inquiry into allegations of child sex abuse in the Dublin Archdiocese.

An Albanian refugee has been jailed for eight years by Mr Justice Iarfhlaith O'Neill at the Central Criminal Court for raping a Dublin woman.

Television documentaries exposing sexual abuse by clergy led to a high number of victims coming forward to report rape in Ireland, figures showed today.

Calls to Dublin's Rape Crisis Centre have increased by 18%, annual statistics have revealed.

Olive Braiden has been appointed as the new Chairperson of the Arts Council under the first Arts Act in 30 years.

A Dublin woman has told a jury she was raped in a city centre flat by an Albanian national who was a friend of a man with whom she had just started a relationship.

An Albanian man has been convicted by a Central Criminal Court jury of raping a Dublin woman who had just started a relationship with his friend.

Forty-four per cent of all calls to the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre last year related to child sex abuse, according to figures released today by the centre.

The DPP is to appeal the leniency of the 6 month prison sentence handed down to a Dublin businessman for a random sex attack on a woman as she walked home at night.

A support organisation for rape victims is calling on the Government to introduce mandatory treatment for sex offenders in Irish prisons.

The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre today launched a handbook for translators who accompany sexual assault victims to their clinics.

One quarter of Irish people believe female rape victims bear some responsibility for the crime, according to an opinion poll published this morning.

The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre is calling for improved legislation governing the area of underage sex.

The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre has today joined the chorus of disapproval over Kathleen Lynch's representations on behalf of the family of a convicted rapist.

The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre is extending its awareness campaign as demand for the service grows.

The number of rapes declined in 2007 but campaigners say less victims are coming forward for help.

The number of people reporting rape and sexual assault to the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre has doubled over the last six years.

A man was arrested today in connection with the alleged rape of a young woman at the Oxegen music festival.