More news in brief.
AC/DC tickets sell out within three minutes
Tickets for AC/DC's first concert in Ireland in 12 years sold out within three minutes yesterday. Ticketmaster Ireland managing director Eamonn O'Connor said it was "one of the fastest-selling concerts we ever had".
At one stage, 12,000 fans were logged on in an attempt to buy tickets.
There were also long queues outside Ticketmaster outlets across the country.
AC/DC play the O2 Point venue on Saturday, April 18th, their only show in Ireland. Fans will now hope that the band, consistently one of the biggest live draws in the world, will play a second concert in the O2 Point on April 17th.
Pink is scheduled to play at the venue on Sunday April 19th. However, music insiders insisted last night there are "no plans" for a second AC/DC concert.
Saw Doctors back at top of charts
After a 17-year break, Tuam band The Saw Doctors have recorded a number one in the Irish music charts.
The band has chased off international artists such as Kings of Leon and Pink to reach the top of the charts with a cover version of the Sugababes hit, About You Now.
Opposition to NI abortion change
Northern Ireland's nine Catholic bishops have strongly opposed efforts by British MPs to have the 1967 Abortion Act extended there.
In a statement yesterday, released to coincide with today's anti-abortion rally at Parliament Buildings in Stormont, they appealed "to every person of good will to reject this attempt to set aside the democratic wishes of the people of Northern Ireland".
The statement, from Cardinal Seán Brady; Bishop of Clogher Dr Joseph Duffy; Bishop of Derry Dr Séamus Hegarty; Bishop of Dromore Dr John McAreavey; Bishop of Down and Connor Dr Noel Treanor; Auxiliary Bishop of Down and Connor Dr Anthony Farquhar, Auxiliary Bishop of Derry Dr Francis Lagan; Auxiliary Bishop of Armagh Dr Gerard Clifford, and Auxiliary Bishop of Down and Connor Dr Donal McKeown, was released as House of Commons MPs prepare to debate an amendment to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill.
"As part of this debate," the statement said, "a number of MPs not from Northern Ireland and acting contrary to the express wishes of the majority of people in Northern Ireland, intend to use the debate to introduce an amendment which would extend the 1967 Abortion Act to Northern Ireland . . .
"It would be most regrettable should the Westminster parliament now fail to uphold a fundamental value which has consistently united the main traditions on the island of Ireland."
Last year, the bishops added, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Shaun Woodward "stated that the Northern Ireland Assembly is the 'best forum for discussion of these questions'. We wholeheartedly agree with this position."
Rights to book sell for £70,000
The rights to a book loosely based on the death of a young man outside a Dublin nightclub have been sold for publishing in a number of languages. Bad Day in Blackrockby Kevin Power is a fictionalised novel inspired by real-life events.
The book tells the story of the young man's death, the subsequent trial and the inevitable media circus that follows.
The English language rights were bought yesterday from the Lilliput Press in Dublin by international publisher Simon and Schuster for £70,000 (€90,000). Brazilian, German and Dutch translation rights to the novel were also sold this week.
Solution to Maths Week puzzle
Maths Week: The answer to yesterday's daily logic puzzle is £16 16s 4d.