The Botanic Gardens in Dublin, a pocket of peace in the city, full of life and colour and beautiful orchids, and right next door to Glasnevin cemetery. Photograph:  Bryan O’Brien

Fiona Gartland on a flower that has inspired theft, murder and her third novel

Pots and vases by Radek Zemlicka of Touch Design Ceramics. Photograph: Kasia Wasiak

Radek Zemlikca in Balbriggan, Ruth Gunning in Dublin and the Crows in Connemara

Handcarved utensils by Tadhg Peelo made from cherry, hazel, apple, sycamore, ash, beech and birch.

Tadhg Peelo works by hand with cherry, hazel, apple, sycamore, ash, beech and birch

Metro, designed by Zoe Choy-O’Byrne for Ceadogán Rugmakers, displayed at Johnstown Castle, Co Wexford. Photograph: Caolan Barron

In House: Rugs from Wexford, textile art from Dublin and glass from Kilkenny

Saddlehill, Inishtioge - ceramic art from Michael Holden

Around the country people who might have been stifled are producing remarkable work

Private rooms, though quiet and, well, private may not always be the best choice for ill people.

A hospital ward can provide welcome distraction and patients may end up helping each other in some small way

“It’s not that I hadn’t looked at them before – each face was familiar to me. It was just that they had never seemed so vivid.”

The crime writer and Irish Times journalist is helped to focus by an unlikely source

Donaghmede Shopping Centre. Photograph: Deirdre Brennan

Donaghmede Literary Festival grew out of a campaign to save the local library

The three-judge court heard on Thursday from Dr Paul O’Connell, consultant psychiatrist at the Central Mental Hospital, who assessed Dariusz Alchimionek in recent days. File photograph: James Flynn/APX

Court of Appeal found jury verdict was ‘perverse’

Fiona Gartland: if under 40 had always been the rule, we would not have heard of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, or The Little House on the Prairie from Laura Ingalls Wilder

Without knowing it, writes Fiona Gartland, as far as the market was concerned, I’d already timed out

Culture and conflict: the Arc du Triomphe, in Palmyra in Syria, before and after its destruction by Islamic State, in 2015. Photograph: Joseph Eid/AFP/Getty

Legislation will encourage others to do likewise, says Simon Coveney

Goal general manager Celine Fitzgerald, appointed in late 2016 to help deal with the crisis,  said donors believe the organisation is “a new Goal”. Photograph: Alan Betson

€2.3 million spent on legal fees, forensic and accountancy services after 2016 crisis

Six international divorce proceedings were among cases before Judge Susan Ryan at the Dublin Circuit Family Court on Friday

Six international divorce proceedings among cases before Dublin Circuit Family Court

Minister Simon Harris said he had heard very difficult and upsetting cases and met people “who have felt this country has been a very lonely place that has left them feeling very isolated” in difficult circumstances. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill

Minister ‘grappling’ with legislation and says Constitution not place to address abortion

The former glass bottle site on the Poolbeg peninsula

Local environmental group says plans ‘not child-friendly, not family-friendly’

Despite improvements in other areas of gender equality in Ireland, the pay gap has been growing. Photograph: iStock

Gap has increased by 2%, showing women’s educational strides are not translating to pay

 Stavros Lambrinidis, EU special representative for human rights, said regarding the case of  Liu Xiaobo, the late Nobel laureate and democracy campaigner:  “What a shameful, shameful example for the Chinese government to set for its own people and the world, shame, this will not be forgotten, or the way that he was treated after his death.”  File photograph: EPA

Minister seeks ‘reminder of just how core this issue should be in ... Irish foreign policy’

Irish aged 18-24: The biggest binge drinkers in the European Union in 2014. Photograph: Eric Luke

Figures show more than 25% of men, over 15 per cent of women aged 18 to 24 engaged in binge drinking at least once a week in 2014

Ophelia waves crash into the town of Summercove near Kinsale, Co Cork. Photograph: John Allen

Three killed in storm while cost of repairs across country may run to hundreds of millions

The Mediation Act 2017 aims to promote mediation as a viable, effective and efficient alternative to court proceedings to reduce costs, speed up resolutions and relieve  stress of  going to court.

Domestic violence survivors must be told mediation may not be suited to their cases

 Tree surgeon James Moran working on a fallen tree at Bayswater Terrace, Sandycove during Storm Ophelia. Photograph: Cyril Byrne

Luas cancelled and schools closed on Tuesday morning; Gusts continue but will fade overnight

Clinical psychologist Dr Ellen B Littman: Girls and women with undiagnosed Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are at risk of anxiety, depression and suicide, she said

Girls less likely to be hyperactive in class but suffer ‘internal chaos and restlessness’

The aftermath of Hurricane Debbie in Eyre Square, Galway, in 1961. Photograph: Connacht Tribune

Storm killed 11 in Ireland, including family of four whose car was crushed by a falling tree

 Dublin Bus buses in Broadstone Bus depot Dublin after services were cancelled as ex-hurricane Ophelia hits. Photograph: Caroline Quinn/PA Wire

Rail and bus services to be restored and colleges reopen but schools remain closed

Among the reports were glass found in a dessert, plastic rope in a takeaway meal, and a cigarette butt in a bag of chips. Photograph: iStock

Food fraud included mislabelling of meat and poultry and wine sold as prosecco

Dublin District Family Court: judge tells couple that if the house is the underlying issue they would be much better off going to mediation

Judge warns bickering couple that court is ‘not a TV reality show’

Almost 90 per cent of women in the State do housework compared to less than 50 per cent of men. Photograph: Istock

Gender Equality Index 2017 shows ‘rather slow’ improvements across EU 28

“We have a member who travels 57 miles to get his prescription because he doesn’t want the local chemist to know he is infected.”  Photograph: Getty Images

People imagine that if you are a man ‘you got it from other sources’

The North and East Housing Association was said to have  built nine houses in north Co Dublin at a cost of €1.25 million and in doing so paid €172,980 in VAT, “more than the cost of another family home”. File photograph: Getty Images

Charities will reclaim portion of tax on goods and services purchased in preceding year

Paschal Donohoe said the increase in VAT was due to the ‘clear evidence of a link between sunbeds and skin cancer’. Photograph: iStock

Donohoe announces tax on services used by 150,000 people last year to increase to 23%

“We have the right to have a say in our care...including at the end of life.” Photograph: Getty Images

Charter on dying, death and bereavement launched by Irish Hospice Foundation

“There is a lot of pressure on delivering housing but no one will thank us in 10 or 20 years’ times if we deliver the wrong thing.” Photograph: Getty Images

Chief executive John O’Connor says some developments may not be right

Minister for Housing Eoghan Murphy said he would lift the ‘numerical height caps’  in city cores and along key public transport corridors.  File photograph: Niall Carson/PA Wire

Minister for Housing says ‘building cities outwards is a failed concept’

“The teenager’s mother told Judge Dermot Simms that the father had “a religious way of going on”. Photograph: Alan Betson

Mother suggests if father ‘stops all the religious stuff’ their teenaged son might see him

Moyagh Murdock, chief executive of the RSA with Antonio Avenoso, director, European Transport Safety Council, Rod King, founder and campaign director of UK’s 20’s Plenty for Us, Dermot Stevenson, senior executive engineer, Dublin City Council and Bryan Dobson, MC of the Road Safety Authority’s annual academic road safety lecture on the 30km/h speed limit, held in Dublin. Photograph: Robbie Reynolds

EU car regulations may include ‘intelligent speed assistance’ to help drivers slow down

Minister for Housing Eoghan Murphy described the figures as very disappointing. Photograph: iStock

Cope Galway sees increase in homeless children of almost 40 per cent

Two loopholes that allowed thousands of drivers to avoid penalty points after committing road traffic offences have been closed. File photograph: Frank Miller

The two loopholes allowed thousands of drivers to avoid points for road traffic offences

 Former president of Ireland Dr Mary McAleese and Prof Jim Lucey of Trinity College Dublin  with Archbishop Michael Jackson. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill / The Irish Times

Professor of psychiatry, Jesuit priest and Presbyterian minister also installed

Aer Lingus said EI 777 was cancelled due to a technical fault with the aircraft.  File Photograph: Cyril Byrne

‘It was absolutely ridiculous the way we have been treated,’ says passenger Anne Jackson

Mary McAleese described St Stan as a “mentor, friend and encourager”. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw

Nun made ‘huge commitment to use the self in the service of others’, says Mary McAleese

Part of the cannabis seized at Dublin Port on Wednesday. Photograph: Revenue

Man held as drugs found in truck that had disembarked from Holyhead ferry

Home in rural Ballytarsney has been preserved for technical examination

Judge Paula Murphy at Dublin District Family Court said the evidence in a case around breach of access was conflicting and she would not make a finding on it. File photograph:  iStockPhoto

Mother tells court 10-year-old was very upset, father says she was ‘really proud’

Ciara (9) and Luke (4) Willetts, from Shankill in Dublin who both have PKU.

‘Feeding them is a huge challenge every day,’ says Dublin mother

Jurgita Peciuriene said such violence places large costs on EU member states’ economies and societies.

33% of females aged over 15 in the EU have experienced physical or sexual violence

Dr Geoffrey Shannon at the publication of his audit report into the  Garda  in February. Photograph:  Gareth Chaney Collins

Dr Geoffrey Shannon urges TDs to ‘take on vested interests’ and pass alcohol Bill

Under the judicial council system proposed for Ireland, every inquiry would be held in private, bar in exceptional circumstances. Photograph: iStockPhoto

Proposed body could investigate and rebuke, but publication of decisions to be forbidden

A hearse carrying the coffin of  Antoinette Corbally, who was shot dead  two weeks ago in Ballymun, arrives at Dardistown Cemetery. Photograph:  Colin Keegan/ Collins.

Antoinette Corbally, who died in Ballymun shooting, recalled as family ‘hero’

The public is entitled to know the names of judges who are reprimanded for misconduct under proposed legislation, Opposition parties have said. File photograph: Getty Images/iStockphoto

Parties object to secrecy elements in proposed legislation on a judicial council

“We cannot look at payments in isolation. We must also look at what the GP is delivering in terms of care in the community,” said one doctor. Photograph: iStock

GPs’ association says numbers give ‘misleading impression’ of remuneration

Kenneth Egan: said being sober for seven years beat any silver medal. Above, Egan at the 2008 Olympics. Photograph: Morgan Treacy/Inpho

Politicians should listen to experts more than to vested interests, says Simon Harris

The NUJ has called for the redrafting of what it said were unacceptable secrecy provisions in the new Bill on the judiciary. Photograph: Collins Courts

Journalists’ union says proposed penalties for publishing details of hearings ‘draconian’

The Judicial Council Bill 2017 aims to promote excellence in judicial functioning. Photograph: Collins Courts

Publication of documents from investigations into judges could result in fine or jail

Judicial conduct committee inquiries will be held in private, unless the committee directs that “to safeguard the administration of justice” an inquiry should be held in public.

Analysis: Judicial Council Bill should deliver transparency as well as accountability

A mother looking after her teenage son, who had mental-health issues, has been awarded more than €10,000 in arrears for carer’s allowance. File photograph: Getty Images

Government had stopped paying woman for her son’s care after desk-based case review

Dublin District Family Court had heard that the man seriously assaulted his wife after a family event earlier this month. Photograph: Alan Betson

Woman required hospitalisation after being punched and kicked by her husband, court hears

Sherry FitzGerald said the imbalance between supply and demand remains the foremost obstacle facing the market

Rising cost of rent is the main source of new homeless cases, new figures deeply worrying

The number of lay litigants reached a peak of 1,145 at the High Court in 2013. Photograph: Chris Maddaloni/Collins

Move follows concerns that such advisers are impeding courts and charging fees to litigants

The Workplace Relations Commission’s adjudication officer said it was difficult to understand the landlord’s attitude towards “model” tenants. Photograph: Alan Betson

Commission finds three applicants in discrimination case were ‘model’ tenants

Homelessness is one of the biggest challenges faced by women and children who have been abused. Photograph: Istock

More than 20% of women at Aoibhneas Dublin refuge went home after stay, says manager

Hiqa revoked the licence of The Cheshire Foundation in Ireland to operate St Laurence Cheshire Centre in Glanmire. Photograph: The Irish Times/Files

Cheshire Foundation has registration to run facility cancelled following Hiqa inspection

Muhammad Mahmoud (17), from Ballycullen in Dublin 24, with his mother Dr Ayda Elkhalifa. The Ashfield College is one of 13 students nationally to  score eight grade ones at higher level.

Muhammad Mahmoud (17), whose parents are from Sudan, hopes to study medicine

Twelve people, with combined tax debts of almost €9.94 million, were adjudicated bankrupt following an application from the Revenue Commissioners to the High Court so far this year.

Tax debts of €9.9m have triggered 12 bankruptcies since January 2017

Attending the Parnell Summer School at Avondale House, Rathdrum are, from left, Fíona Ní Chinneide (Irish Penal Reform Trust), Dr Cormac Behan (University of Sheffield), James Lawless (Fianna Fáil) and Dr Niall Muldoon (Ombudsman for Children). Photograph: Cyril Byrne

Parnell Summer School told we need to ‘join the dots’ to protect most vulnerable

A mother refused to allow social workers to interview her younger children, the Dublin District Child Care Court heard on Friday.

Woman also suggested workers were racist during visit to investigate abuse claim, court hears

It is possible to track the location of a phone using certain information, such as an email address and password, provided the phone’s location services are switched on.

Husband had allegedly cut her with glass and burnt her with a cigarette

Garda management did not inform their own internal audit committee about almost one million false breath tests and unreliable fixed-charge penalty notice convictions before going public about them.

Force’s audit committee says it was ‘totally unaware’ of the issue prior to media reports

Laura Parsons urges other women to speak out about domestic violence. Photograph: Alan Betson/The Irish Times

A woman speaks out about domestic violence following the conviction of her ex-boyfriend

Archbishop Eamon Martin said we needed to have conversations in Ireland about what constitutes a “good life” and a “flourishing life”. Photograph: Getty Images

Archbishop Eamon Martin says conversation needed in Ireland about ‘good life’

A boy and his two sisters, who have been under the supervision of the Child and Family Agency since early 2016, had been living in ‘very sad’ circumstances in a ‘chaotic home’, a court has heard. Photograph: iStock

The boy can be ‘quite violent’ and has severe emotional difficulties, court hears

Judges claimed almost €942,000 in expenses in the first six months of the year.

Claims claims up 20% on last year due to rise in the number of judges and a hike in mileage

The Garda Síochána plans to reform internal and external communications policies and  increase engagement between junior and senior employees

New civilian role part of organisation’s modernisation and renewal programme

Removal of the contributions for victims of domestic violence “ultimately a matter for the Minister”. Photograph: iStock

Decision on whether to end contribution due by end of year, says Minister for Justice

Women of all reproductive ages in Ireland experience pregnancies that are unplanned, unwanted or represent a crisis to them, says IFPA

IFPA survey finds one in four women have experienced crisis pregnancy in past

John Hoey at Annacroft livestock farm outside Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan. Photograph: Pat Byrne

Overseer says John Hoey ‘abjectly failed’ to co-operate with bankruptcy process

To qualify for civil legal aid, a person must have a disposable income of less than €18,000. Applicants must contribute up to €150 for legal advice and a minimum of €130 for legal representation.

Free Legal Advice Centres says charge for service causing financial barrier for people

Tanya Ward, chief executive of Children’s Rights Alliance: criticised proposed cuts. Photograph: Cyril Byrne

Deferral to allow time to re-examine alternative options, says Legal Aid Board

The Legal Aid Board has said it will restrict applications for legal aid to cases involving “a domestic violence remedy or enforcement of maintenance”.

‘We have a duty to ensure that access to justice is delivered to all members of society’

Father said he was only interested in having a role in his children’s life. “They are what I get up for in the morning”

Woman claimed husband made son ride exercise bike for so long he would cry from pains

Dr Niall Muldoon, Ombudsman for Children: “The issue of children living in homeless accommodation is not going away.” Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill

Mother referred to new communities unit although she had legal Irish residency

The study was undertaken by academics from   University College Cork, who interviewed 67 professionals, including social workers and managers in Tusla, court-appointed guardians, solicitors, judges and barristers. Photograph: Alan Betson

Tusla staff say they are not shown respect in court and are publicly blamed, study finds

Mohammed Alrawehneh, pictured as a youth player with  Shamrock Rovers Football Club. Photograph: Shamrock Rovers FC/Twitter

Mohammed Alrawehneh from Firhouse was awaiting his Leaving Cert results

In a separate Dublin District Family Court case, a mother told the judge the father of her son had been out drinking with friends and then kicked in the door of her apartment

Dublin District Family Court hears man threatened to use angle-grinder on house

Data released under Freedom of Information shows Irish Water carried out 280 “first-fix” leak repairs in the first three months of this year

Of more than 100,500 leak notifications issued there were 7,723 repairs since 2015

Minister for Children Katherine Zappone has said she will commence the provisions of the law as soon as possible. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill

Women who want partner to become stepfather no longer have to give up legal rights

The dentist agreed to refund the €350 the woman paid to have the root removed as a gesture of goodwill. Photograph:  John Giles/PA Wire

Woman had to pay for surgical procedure to have piece of root left behind removed

Consumers seeking teeth-straightening take impressions of their own teeth and send them off in the post. Photograph: iStock

Companies selling kits by post often not even dentists, complaints resolution service says

Chairman Sean Fleming  at the release of the PAC finding into the financial procedures at Templemore Garda College. Photograph: Cyril Byrne

Delay in informing C&AG of financial irregularities ‘unacceptable’

 Domestic abuse: “It is vital for the woman, as well as the children’s safety, that a victim of domestic violence is not put into the situation where she is intimidated by her partner into agreeing to unsafe or unfair arrangements,” says Women’s Aid.

Women’s Aid says domestically abused must not be exposed to additional dangers

Abigail’s story: When mediation started, her husband began “shouting and roaring”, cursing and saying the children did not want her.

Mediation case study: Abigail’s story

Good leaders set the tone. Photograph: iStock

Employment expert Sandra Henke says such people more creative and less stressed

The average age of the population is now 37.4 years up from 36.1 years at the last census in 2011. Image: Getty

Average age of population now 37.4 years and numbers aged over 65 is up by 19%

Minister for Health Simon Harris; cancer patient Rhona Nally, from Knocklyon, Dublin; and Dermot Breen of the Irish Cancer Society: “We are particularly pleased to note the creation of the role of lead of psycho-oncology,” said Mr Breen. “This is recognition by the State of the psychological effects of cancer.” Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill

Focus shift from setting up services to people using them welcomed by Irish Cancer Society

Minister for Health Simon Harris TD speaking at the launch of the National Cancer Strategy in Iveagh House. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill/The Irish Times

Foreign trained graduates ‘desperately needed’ to avoid ‘counter-productive delays’

Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau has said Ireland and Canada are strong and lasting friends. A dinner in his honour was held in Dublin Castle on Tuesday night.  Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill / The Irish Times

Ireland and Canada 'strong and lasting friends', guests told

Canada’s prime minister Justin Trudeau at  the Famine Memorial on Dublin’s Custom House Quay as part of his brief visit to Dublin on Tuesday. Photograph: AFP  / Paul Faith/Getty Images

Canadian prime minister follows in footsteps of one of his predecessors, Jean Chrétien, who also visited the sculptures

Justin Trudeau  at Epic Ireland with Fiona Ross, museum director, where the Canadian prime minister’s Irish roots were revealed Photograph: Julien Behal

Canadian prime minister is a direct descendant of Bernard family from Bandon

 Ellie Kisyombe, from Dublin, at a  United Against Racism  rally and march calling for the end to the inhumane direct provision system for asylum seekers, in Dublin. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill

Measure would ‘prevent economic and social exclusion’ and increase tax take

The number of fillings carried out for medical card patients dropped by 37 per cent. Photograph: John Giles/PA Wire

Drop in costly fillings and root canals as State funding cut from €150m to €75m

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