THE behaviour of some sections of the media in the trial of Eamonn Lillis for the manslaughter of his wife Celine Cawley was an intrusion into privacy. The spectacle of photographers being up ladders on trees in Mr Lillis’s back garden in Howth and following his under-age daughter in their last days before he went to jail is unacceptable.

FASHION:Their inspirations range from Irish crafts to fine tailoring and they have absorbed influences in Japan, New York and Paris before returning to live and work at home. DEIRDRE MCQUILLANmeets four up-and-coming Irish designers, each with her own individual style and fashion philosophy

OLYMPIANS:Skier Shane O’Connor, who also holds down a fulltime job in IT, will be representing Ireland at the winter Olympics in Vancouver next week, writes GRAINNE FALLER

Ireland’s injury concerns eased considerably this afternoon with everyone bar Andrew Trimble (hamstring) and Stephen Ferris (leg) taking a full part in training at the RDS. The pair completed a “light workout” and both are expected to be in contention for a place in the team to face France in Paris on Saturday.

Survey shows Irish consumers are at most optimistic in two years as economic fears ease

The cash-for-gold business is thriving but sellers get a shocking deal for their jewellery

The latest reshaping of opera companies, this time in Northern Ireland, fuels the transformation of this art form here

Has a midterm ever snuck up so stealthily? Even the kids can’t believe they’re off again on Friday. They’re still getting mince pies in their lunch boxes. SANDRA O'CONNELLhas some suggestions for where to go and what to do