ireland.com - The Irish Times

Final contacts on sanctions issue on eve of NI proposals
The Government says it is "taking nothing for granted" about today's planned publication of the Irish and British blueprint for restoring devolution in Northern Ireland, after another day of contacts with the North's political parties on unresolved issues. p

Apology for victim of clerical sex abuse
The founder of an organisation set up to help victims of sexual abuse, Mr Colm O'Gorman, has settled his High Court case for damages arising from being sexually abused by the late Father Seán Fortune in Co Wexford in the early 1980s. p

'Historic' negligence admission by diocese welcomed
The admission of negligence by the Diocese of Ferns in its handling of the Colm O'Gorman case has been welcomed as "historic" and "a hopeful turning point" by other victims of clerical sexual abuse. p

Ahern in move to silence dissent by FF TDs
The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, has moved to silence dissenting TDs within the Fianna Fáil Parliamentary Party by endorsing the adoption of a code of conduct to enforce discipline on the Government backbenches. p

Other Stories

Rival supporters preparing for possible PD leadership contest
Supporters of Mr Michael McDowell and Mr Tom Parlon are getting ready for a possible leadership contest within the Progressive Democrats despite Ms Mary Harney's insistence that she will remain in charge for the full term of this Government. p
Cold, dreary days lie ahead, says scientist with eye on Hubble
The universe is going to become a cold and boring place in a few billion years. New research suggests it is expanding at an accelerating rate that, in time, will allow the stars to go out and all warmth to disappear. p
Murdered cardiologist's relatives due in Boston
The mother and brother of murdered cardiologist, Dr Brian McGovern, are flying in to Boston from Dublin today to share their condolences with his American wife. p
Patient got bed offer four days after death
The family of a west of Ireland cancer patient who waited months to receive radiotherapy treatment in a Dublin hospital was informed a bed had finally become available for him - four days after he had died. p
Cosgrave admits he defrauded Revenue
FLOOD TRIBUNAL: Former Fine Gael senator Mr Liam Cosgrave has admitted deliberately defrauding the Revenue Commissioners, and breaking solicitors' accounting procedures in relation to a payment he received from Mr Frank Dunlop. p
Garda unaware of full facts behind Carthy arrest
BARR TRIBUNAL: The garda responsible for allowing Mr John Carthy to be remanded in custody on a charge of suspected arson has admitted he was not aware of "the full facts" surrounding Mr Carthy's arrest. p
Witness told to step down as evidence questioned
MORRIS TRIBUNAL: A retired detective garda witness was ordered to stand down from the Morris tribunal yesterday, after the tribunal's counsel said he was "entirely dissatisfied" with his evidence. p
Man says he was offered money to link gardai to explosives haul
MORRIS TRIBUNAL: The Morris Tribunal has heard claims that Ms Adrienne McGlinchey tried to bribe her friend's brother to back her story to the tribunal. p
New president of DIT college has strong record in research
A new president is to be appointed at the Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT), the largest third-level college in the State. p
DCU hopes to attract top-flight students with campus lodgings
Enticing bright students from outside Dublin with offers of "safe, convenient and affordable" accommodation has become DCU's latest tactic in competing with TCD and UCD. p
Labour looks to President in protest over FoI Bill
The Labour party has called for the President, Mrs McAleese, to hold a meeting of her Council of State to deal with the controversial Freedom of Information (FoI) legislation, which completed its passage through the Dáil yesterday. p
FoI Act 'must not constrict' Cabinet
Freedom of information cannot be the main factor in determining how the Government conducts its business, the Minister for Finance has told the Dáil. p
Bush and Blair told of Irish concern-Ahern
The Taoiseach said he had urged President Bush and Mr Tony Blair to take every possible step to avoid civilian casualties, and do what they could to ensure humanitarian issues were addressed in the war on Iraq. p
Cowen will not be drawn on any IRA gesture
The Minister for Foreign Affairs has refused to be drawn on whether the IRA will make a gesture today to help restore devolution in the North. p
FF call to improve schools
A Fianna Fáil backbencher has told the Dáil that the Government should have honoured its election promises to improve the standard of school accommodation. p
Mobilisation of public health expertise urged to keep SARS out
Owing to the SARS virus outbreak abroad, a huge mobilisation of public health expertise would be needed in this country to cope with the influx of people for the Special Olympic Games in June, Dr Maurice Hayes (Ind) said. p
Bill for Garda Inspectorate to be public by summer
SEANAD REPORT: It was intended that the Bill to establish a Garda Inspectorate would be in the public domain before the summer, the Minister of State for Justice, Mr Willie O'Dea, said. p
Donegal carpet firm needs a helping hand
A Donegal company which makes carpets for the White House and Áras an Uachtaráin is calling for a helping hand from the State, writes Chris Ashmore. p
Calf has tested positive for lead poison
Another animal from the Silvermines area of Co Tipperary has tested positive for lead poisoning. p
Tackle 'joyriding', urges archbishop
A "decisive and resolute response from society" is needed to tackle the problem of so-called joyriding, mourners were told yesterday at the funeral of a priest killed in an accident involving a stolen car. p
Kerry men face heart attack risk
Men are more likely to die from a heart attack in Kerry than in other parts of Ireland, it has emerged. p
ESB's €200m will not cut gas emission
The ESB has defended its decision to invest €200 million in reducing pollution from the Moneypoint coal-fired power station on the Shannon Estuary, even though it will do nothing to cut greenhouse gas emissions. p
Former Fianna Fail TD looks to Europe
The former Fianna Fáil TD, Mr Seán Doherty, is to seek a Fianna Fáil nomination to contest Connacht-Ulster in the European elections next year.Mr Doherty said: "I will be seeking a nomination. p

In the North

Bush's main man on Ireland has won trust of both sides
Much of the force of the current US input into the peace process is down to Richard Haass, writes Dan Keenan , Northern News Editor. p
North parties face big decisions
ANALYSIS: An IRA response to the Anglo-Irish plan is expected quickly, writes Gerry Moriarty , Northern Editor. p
Expert challenges forensic test method
At the trial of three Irishmen in Colombia yesterday Dr Keith Borer, an international forensics expert, started giving evidence for the defence. p
British troops tried to 'avoid unnecessary injury'
SAVILLE INQUIRY: The officer who commanded the 1st Battalion of the Parachute Regiment in Derry on Bloody Sunday 31 years ago said yesterday his soldiers did what they could to "avoid unnecessary injury". p

In The Courts

'Real IRA' men get long jail terms
Five members of the "Real IRA" were sentenced yesterday to jail terms of 16 to 22 years for plotting three bomb attacks in Britain in 2001. p
Ireland 'must adhere to neutral status'
There is "no version of neutrality" accepted internationally which allows the armed forces of the US to pass through Irish space en route to the war in Iraq but this Government has permitted such activity, it was argued in the the High Court yesterday. p
Counsel challenges view on neutrality
The traditional concept of neutrality has been overtaken by "a more modified neutrality", counsel for the State and Attorney General argued before the High Court yesterday. p
Garda claims 'expectation' of tribunal costs
A Garda superintendent who has been suspended since August told the High Court yesterday that he had "a legitimate expectation" that the State would provide legal representation for him at the Morris tribunal into alleged garda corruption in Co Donegal. p
€64,000 award for office fall
A civil servant who fell over cable wires on the floor of the office where he worked, and then fell against a desk, banging his chest and back, was awarded general damages of €64,000 by the High Court yesterday. p
Four years for slashing face
A 61-year-old man who slit his partner's daughter from ear to mouth in a vicious, unprovoked attack has been sentenced to four years by Judge Frank O'Donnell. p

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