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Portugal to significantly increase tax rates

Written By Unknown on Rabu, 31 Oktober 2012 | 22.40

The move will pave the way for a court fight over a budget the government said it urgently needs to keep a €78bn bailout afloat.

Political tension has been increasing and anti-austerity demonstrations have become more common in recent weeks.

Despite being one of the countries worst hit by the eurozone crisis, Portugal had so far escaped unrest seen elsewhere.

The government of Prime Minister Pedro Passos Coelho is searching for ways to meet budget goals under its bailout from the EU and International Monetary Fund, without deepening the worst recession since the 1970s.

The 2013 budget's tax increases on income, property and financial transactions are the government's third attempt to tackle the deficit since July.

The constitutional court threw out a plan to cut civil servants' benefits, and a plan to increase social security payments was abandoned after street protests.

Political experts say the new budget is almost certain to be challenged in court, with unpredictable consequences.

"If the court finds something unconstitutional, it could still be something relatively easy to fix, or alternatively it could shoot down the budget and cause a political crisis," said Pedro Magalhaes, political scientist at the Social Sciences Institute of the Lisbon University.

"It's hard to predict the outcome: it wouldn't be the constitutional court if it were predictable."

The budget predicts a third year of recession, with unemployment forecast to rise further into record territory next year, to 16.4%. The current rate is around 15%.

Mr Coelho told parliament yesterday the budget was intended to create the conditions for Portugal to "turn the page on one of the most difficult periods of our history".

He should easily find enough support in parliament to enact his budget, but has faced tougher resistance from judges.

In July, the constitutional court ruled against a government measure stripping civil servants of their holiday and Christmas bonuses, on the grounds it unfairly impacted them.

The government then attempted to raise the social security contributions of all workers. That sparked mass protests, and it reversed course.

The 2013 budget, relying instead on large increases in income tax - of up to two months' salaries in some cases - is the culmination of those previous policy failures.

It stretched the cohesion of the coalition government, as the small rightist CDS party made clear it would prefer spending cuts to reach budget goals, but the CDS backed down and has promised to support it in parliament today.

After that, a constitutional court challenge could come at any time. Portugal's judges' union has promised to challenge the budget, on the grounds it goes against tax equality enshrined in the constitution.

The opposition Socialists have also said they would challenge it, and the president could submit it to the court himself in the process of signing off on it.

With the government's popularity already at record lows, a general strike planned for 14 November and some economists warning Portugal could enter a recessive cycle like Greece, additional doubt over austerity measures would hurt confidence further.

The economy is forecast to contract at least 3% this year and 1% in 2013 and many economists think even those forecasts are far too optimistic.

The concerns prompted the IMF to warn last week that the risks to Portugal's bailout have "increased markedly".

Portuguese bonds have also reacted, beginning to reverse sharp declines in yields since the beginning of the year.


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Cork widow calls for mental health changes

Una Butler from Ballycotton in Co Cork wants mandatory risk assessments to be conducted on the families and children of mental health patients.

She also wants the Mental Health Act to be changed to require medical personnel to involve the partners and families of mental health patients in their treatment.

In November 2010, John Butler killed six-year-old Zoe and two-year-old Ella at their home, before killing himself in his car a short distance away.

Mr Butler had been suffering from depression, for which he had received psychiatric treatment.

The 2001 Mental Health Act governs the treatment of patients with mental illness and the legislation is currently being reviewed.

An expert group appointed to review the Mental Health Act is due to issue its report by March of next year.

Minister of State with responsibility for mental health Kathleen Lynch said she has asked the expert group to examine calls by Ms Butler for changes to the law.

Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Ms Lynch said she has forwarded all correspondence from Ms Butler to the expert group and to the Mental Health Commission.

The minister said she has met Ms Butler twice and was impressed by her obvious strength and determination that others will not suffer in the way she did.

She said she was not certain that you can put into law how clinicians treat people that come to them, and that it was a difficult area that may have to be dealt with by way of guidelines.

However, she pledged to listen to the recommendations of the expert group.

Helplines

HSE and Console 24-hour helpline: 1800-201-890

Aware: 1890-303-302 (Mon-Sun 10am-10pm)


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Arrest in Robert McCartney murder inquiry

The suspect was detained by PSNI detectives this morning and taken to Antrim's serious crime suite for questioning.

Mr McCartney, a father-of-two from the Short Strand area of Belfast, was beaten and stabbed after a row at a bar close to the city centre in January 2005.

The 33-year-old died later in hospital.

His sisters, who have accused republicans of covering up the killing and intimidating witnesses, launched a campaign for justice that took them to the White House.

To date no-one has been convicted.


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Anglo cost may be lower than expected - Alan Dukes

That compares to a previous estimate in the range of €29bn to €34bn.

Mr Dukes was addressing the Joint Oireactas Finance Committee.

He told the committee that impaired loans on the bank's balance sheet amounted to €18bn, with cumulative impairment provisions of almost €11bn.

Impaired loans account for approximately 66% of the bank's total balance.

Mr Dukes also told the committee that staff numbers at IBRC had been reduced to 50% of peak levels in 2008.

By the end of the year, core staff levels will be below 800, he said.

Almost a quarter of workers at IBRC are on short-term contracts and the number is increasing.

IBRC Chief Executive Mike Aynsley said it may be possible to wind down the lender faster than expected.

Mr Aynsley also said the condition of Irish Nationwide's mortgages portfolio was the worst in the country.

He said the bank will be introducing new processes to deal with the most-needy individuals suffering from distressed mortgages.

Meanwhile, Sinn Féin's Finance Spokesperson Pearse Doherty has said people will react with "absolute disgust" to news that Mr Aynsley has a salary of €500,000, a pension of €120,000 and an expense account of €38,000.

Mr Doherty said the there is no justification to pay a chief executive a salary above that of the Taoiseach and it must be dealt with if the organisation is to regain the trust of the public.


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Massive clean-up operation under way in US

A massive clean-up operation is under way on the northeast coast of the US after "superstorm" Sandy caused widespread damage.

It was the biggest storm to hit the area for decades, with eight million homes and businesses still without power.

More than 40 people have died in the region; at least 18 of them in New York City.

US President Barack Obama is to travel to New Jersey today to see the damage.

The New York Stock Exchange is to reopen for regular trading after being shut for two days because of the storm.

Hit with a record storm surge of nearly 4m of water, authorities said New York City will likely struggle without subways for days.

Subway tracks and commuter tunnels under the city, which carry several million people a day, are under several feet of water.

Buses are operating on a limited basis and many residents are walking long distances or looking for taxis on the streets.

The lower half of Manhattan remains without power after a transformer explosion at a Con Edison substation on Monday night.

Aerial footage filmed today showed the aftermath of a huge fire in a flooded beach front neighbourhood on the outskirts of New York City.

The blaze, in the Breezy Point neighbourhood of Queens, destroyed 80 to 100 houses, injuring three people and forcing firefighters to undertake daring rescues.

More than 190 firefighters contained the fire.

Across the Hudson River from Manhattan, large areas of Hoboken, New Jersey, remain under water.

Assessing the damage, officials with New York's Metropolitan Transportation Authority said they would release a timetable of their recovery plans sometime today.

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie took a helicopter tour of the Jersey shore yesterday and saw boats adrift, boardwalks washed away, roads blocked by massive sand drifts and other destruction.

He said it could be seven to ten days before power is restored statewide and told residents they could not yet return to homes on the shore's battered barrier islands.

The runways at Teterboro airport, a regional operation in northern New Jersey, were also swamped and remained closed this morning.

About 1km east of the airport, National Guard units remain on patrol in the town of Little Ferry, which has a population of around 10,000.

Late yesterday residents reported water suddenly started gushing out of storm drains, and within 90 minutes, 1.2m of water was in the road and entering houses.

Stranded residents have had to be rescued.

A number of scheduled flights into and out of Dublin Airport have been affected by Sandy.

For further information: Aer Lingus | American Airlines | US Airways | Delta | United


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AIB claims progress on distressed mortgages

The bank has 33,000 homeowners who are in difficulty with mortgages.

CEO David Duffy also told the committee that the voluntary severance scheme would see up to 1,800 people leave the bank by the end of this year.

The departures are part of a redundancy scheme that will see a total of 2,500 employees leave the bank leading to savings of €200m.

Changes to pension arrangements will save a further €30m.

Mr Duffy said if the European Stability Mechanism takes a stake in AIB it would be positive for potential investors in the bank because AIB would no longer be linked to the State.

The bank is also planning to ask senior individuals who ran the bank during the boom and who have large pensions to consider making a contribution back to the bank.


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Youth group issues cyberbullying guidelines

Written By Unknown on Selasa, 30 Oktober 2012 | 22.40

It follows the death of 13-year-old Erin Gallagher in Ballybofey in Donegal on Saturday, who said she had been bullied in an online discussion forum.

SpunOut is advising young people to ignore bullying and not to respond online, to keep screenshot evidence and to report incidents to a trusted adult.

It is also encouraging parents to speak to their children about behaving responsibly online.

SpunOut.ie's communications manager Ian Power said some people feel free to say things online that they would not say in real life.

He said there has been a rise in the past year in the number of websites that allow anonymity.

Bullying is a serious issue, he said, and cyberbullying needs to be treated the same as any other form of it.

Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, he advised any young people suffering from cyberbullying to ignore what is being posted online and to keep some evidence of the bullying.

He said: "Cyberbullying is unique insofar that it's much more easy to keep evidence of it than something that's happening offline.

"So it's important for everybody to be aware how to take a screenshot and keep that evidence.

"And afterwards you should really speak to a trusted adult, whether that's an older sibling, or a parent or uncle or aunt, but basically ask for help."


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Bahrain bans all protest gatherings amid violence

Bahrain has imposed emergency-style rules banning all protest gatherings in the Gulf kingdom.

It has also threatened legal action against groups considered to be backing escalating demonstrations.

The order, announced by the Interior Ministry, is the most sweeping attempt to quash the kingdom's anti-government uprising since martial law rules were in effect during the early months of unrest last year.

The move sharply increases pressure on political groups from Bahrain's Shia majority, which has led the protests seeking a greater political voice in the Sunni-ruled nation.

Tougher steps against opposition groups could raise complications for the US and other Western allies that have stood by Bahrain's monarchy during more than 20 months of unrest.

The US has important military bonds with Bahrain, which hosts the US Navy's 5th Fleet, but it also has called for increased efforts at dialogue to ease the tension.

Shias comprise about 70% of Bahrain's 525,000 citizens, but claim they face systematic discrimination, such as being denied top political and security posts.

The Sunni monarchy has made a series of concessions, including giving more powers to the elected parliament, but opposition groups say the reforms do little to loosen the ruling family's hold on power.

More than 50 people have been killed in Bahrain's unrest since February 2011.

The Interior Ministry said Bahraini society was "fed up" with near non-stop demonstrations and clashes and "there was a need to put an end to them".

Bahrain's government has permitted limited protests and marches, but much of the violence occurs outside the authorised gatherings.

It added that any "illegal rally or gathering would be tackled through legal actions against those calling for and participating in it".

This warning appeared aimed particularly at the largest Shia political group, Al-Wefaq, which has organised many opposition marches. Another rally is planned for Friday.

An Al-Wefaq official, Hadi al-Musawi, said the order was "against international human rights".

Other Gulf states have placed limits on political expression amid worries that movements inspired by last year's Arab Spring uprisings could threaten their ruling systems.

Last week, Kuwait banned all public gatherings of more than 20 people following opposition protests before parliamentary elections on 1 December.


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Number of addiction centre agency nurses halved

The Psychiatric Nurses Association has warned that the cut, ordered by the Health Service Executive, will result in the removal of a vital service for patients who will suffer as a result.

The HSE said users attending the centres will not be compromised clinically by the change.

The non-dispensing satellite centres were set up 12 years ago as 'one-stop shops' to support people suffering from addiction problems.


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Report favours St James's for Children's Hospital

The Dolphin Report says it has the broadest range of national specialities.

According to the findings, seen by RTÉ News, co-location with an adult academic teaching hospital is essential, while tri-location with an adult and maternity hospital is optional.

The 80-page report says that from a design and planning perspective, the sites adjoining Connolly hospital and the Coombe hospital offer the best potential for future expansion and a landscape setting.

However, the report says that Connolly hospital would need very substantial investment of human and capital resources to develop over time into an adult tertiary hospital, with critical mass supported by leading-edge research facilities.

Even if such resources could be made available, it says it could take several decades to achieve such high standards of clinical and research excellence.

The report also says St James's has an excellent research and education infrastructure.

The Coombe hospital plan is on a site off the South Circular Road on 20 acres of land near the Luas Red Line.

In 2010, St James's Hospital secured planning permission for a nine-storey hospital building, one storey higher than its currently paediatric hospital proposal, although the scale of the proposed children's hospital there would be much bigger than the private hospital that was being planned for two years ago.

Minister for Health James Reilly is currently preparing a memo for Cabinet with a proposal for the best location, based on an analysis of the Dolphin Report.

It follows a meeting late last week with Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore where the report was discussed.

The Cabinet may discuss the issue at its meeting next week.

Meanwhile, Dublin City Council has said that it notes certain comments made in relation to possible planning issues with a proposed location for the new hospital in Dublin city.

It said that no one can be definitive on the planning aspect of any site at this stage because the final arbiter will be An Bord Pleanála.

This applies to sites both within and outside the jurisdiction of Dublin City Council.

However, the council  also said it is satisfied that the proposals within the city boundaries can all work from a planning and infrastructure perspective and in the process, avail of the public transport and other facilities of a city centre location in a capital city.


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'Major disaster' declared in New York - Obama

US President Barack Obama has declared a major disaster in New York and Long Island as 'superstorm' Sandy left 17 people dead cross the east coast of the US.

Federal funding will now be made available to New York residents and Mr Obama also declared emergencies in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

Millions of Americans awoke this morning without power as the storm cut electricity over a wide area from North Carolina to Ohio.

The storm made landfall in New Jersey yesterday evening with sustained winds of 130km/h and put the US Presidential campaign on hold one week before election day.

New York was among the hardest hit, with its financial centre closed for a second day and seawater flowing into the construction pit at the World Trade Center.

The storm caused the worst damage in the 108-year history of New York's extensive subway system, according to Joseph Lhota, the chairman of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

An unprecedented 3.9m surge of seawater flowed into lower Manhattan, inundating tunnels, subway stations and the electrical system.

An explosion at a Con Edison power substation knocked out power to about 310,000 customers in Manhattan.

New York City's three major airports remain closed and more than 13,500 flights were cancelled for yesterday and today.

Forecasters say Sandy could linger over as many as 12 states for 24-36 hours.

A huge fire destroyed at least 50 homes in a flooded neighbourhood of Queens.

Firefighters told WABC-TV that they had to use a boat to make rescues. Two people suffered minor injuries, a fire department spokesman said.

As Sandy closed in on the northeast, it converged with a cold-weather system that turned it into a hybrid of rain and high winds, even bringing snow in West Virginia and other mountainous areas inland.

Remnants of the now-former Category 1 hurricane are forecast to head across Pennsylvania before taking another sharp turn into western New York state by tomorrow morning.

Officials blamed at least 17 deaths in the US on the converging storms - in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Maryland, North Carolina and West Virginia.

Three of the victims were children. At least one death was blamed on the storm in Canada.

this photo, supplied by nasa, shows sandy as it was about to make landfall

Sandy killed 69 people in the Caribbean before making its way up the Atlantic Coast.

Three towns in New Jersey were inundated this morning with up to 1.5m of water after a levee on the nearby Hackensack River was breached.

Rescuers used boats to aid the marooned residents of Moonachie, Little Ferry and Carlstadt.

Off North Carolina, a replica of the 18th-century sailing ship HMS Bounty that was built for the 1962 movie "Mutiny on the Bounty" sank when its diesel engine and bilge pumps failed.

The coast guard rescued 14 crew members from rubber lifeboats, but one crewman was found dead several hours later. The Bounty's captain is still missing.

Aer Lingus said two thirds of its flights to the US will operate as normal today, but it has cancelled flights between Dublin and New York.

Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Declan Kearney, communications manager with the airline, said JFK Airport is not expected to re-open until 11am tomorrow Irish time.

He said if it reopens on schedule, then Aer Lingus expects to operate a full schedule tomorrow as its flights arrive in New York after that time.

He advised customers to check the Aer Lingus website on an ongoing basis for updates.

Storm damage was projected at $10bn (€7.7bn) to $20bn (€15.5bn), meaning it could prove to be one of the costliest natural disasters in US history.


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Aer Lingus unions plan two-hour strike

In a statement they said the stoppage would take place between 10am and midday on that day.

In a joint statement this afternoon SIPTU UNITE the TEEU and Mandate all said that any disruption to passengers would be solely due to the decision of Aer Lingus to stop talking to staff representatives about their future retirement incomes.

Aer Lingus said the discussions had been overshadowed and hampered by a union interpretation that a proposal targeting pensions worth 85% of final incomes had been agreed with the DAA.

The airline called on the DAA and unions to resume discussions and clarify their positions.


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Third person held over murder in Antrim

Written By Unknown on Senin, 29 Oktober 2012 | 22.40

Mr McKay, 36, was gunned down as he sat in the living room of his home at Longlands Road in Newtownabbey on Thursday night.

A 28-year-old man was taken to Antrim's Serious Crime Suite for questioning.

He is the third man to be arrested.

A 41-year-old man and a 50-year-old man were arrested on Saturday and remain in custody.


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Thousands take part Dublin City Marathon

Thousands of people are taking part in the 33rd Dublin City Marathon, which began at 9.00am.

A record number of 14,300 people registered for the marathon.

Road closures and traffic restrictions will be in place in various parts of the city throughout the day.

The race starts at Fitzwilliam Street, with the finishing line at Merrion Square.

Each year, the marathon helps raise millions of euro for charity.

For only the second time in its history, the race is being run without sponsorship.

Geoffrey Ndungu, from Kenya, won the marathon in a time of two hours 11 minutes.

Ndungu also won last year's race. 

Magdalene Mukunzi, also from Kenya, won the women's race in a time of two hours 30 minutes.

Welshman Luke Jones won the wheelchair race. 

The first Irish athlete over the finishing line was Paul Pollock from Belfast.

He was in ninth place after finishing in two hours 16 minutes.

Maria McCambridge was the first Irish woman to cross the finishing line in a time of two hours 35 minutes.


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Investigation into fatal stabbing in Dublin

The victim, aged in his late 20s, was discovered lying unconscious on the ground at around 7am this morning on St Donagh's Road in Donaghmede.

The man had sustained a number of stab wounds and was taken to Beaumont Hospital.

He was pronounced dead a short time later.

The scene has been preserved pending a technical examination.

A post mortem is being carried out.

Gardaí are now trying to identify the victim and have appealed for witnesses or anyone with information to contact Coolock Garda Station on 01-6664200 or any Garda station. 


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Ruling Ukrainian party on course for majority

Mr Yanukovich will face an opposition boosted by resurgent nationalists and a liberal party led by boxing champion Vitali Klitschko.

Victory for the ruling Party of the Regions in yesterday's vote will cement the leadership of Mr Yanukovich, who faces re-election in 2015.

His rule has been marked by an accumulation of presidential powers and antagonism with the West over the imprisonment of his rival, opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko.

After about one third of votes had been counted, the Regions were ahead with 36.2% of the votes in balloting conducted by party lists.

"It is clear the Party of the Regions has won ... These elections signal confidence in the President's policies," Prime Minister Myeloma Azarov told reporters.

A senior Regions official said he expected it to obtain two thirds of the remaining vote in individual districts, enough to give the party a simple majority in the former Soviet republic's 450-seat assembly.

It has ruled until now as a coalition with the communists and other allies.

The biggest surprise came from the nationalist Svoboda (Freedom) party which, according to partial results won about 7.8% of the party-list voting.

This means it will have significant representation in parliament for the first time.

The unexpectedly strong showing by Svoboda - which is based in the Ukrainian-speaking west, pursues a strong Ukrainian nationalist agenda.

The party opposes attempts by the regions to promote the Russian language over Ukrainian - boosted opposition ranks that have been weakened by the jailing of Ms Tymoshenko.

The other new opposition wild card in parliament will be held by Klitschko's UDAR (Punch) party which was in fourth place behind the Regions, the communists and the united opposition which includes Ms Tymoshenko's Batkivschyna (Fatherland).


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Hurricane Sandy takes aim at US East Coast

Hurricane Sandy, a mammoth storm menacing the East Coast, took aim at the most densely populated US region today, forcing hundreds of thousands to seek higher ground.

Public transport has been halted and schools, businesses, Wall Street and government departments have been closed.

About 50m people from the Mid-Atlantic to Canada were in the path of the storm, which forecasters say could be the largest ever to hit the US mainland.

It is expected to topple trees, damage buildings and cause widespread power outages over the next few days.

Sandy, which killed 66 people in the Caribbean and has brought lashing rains to coastal areas and snow at higher elevations, will cause extensive flooding when it moves inland, forecasters said.

The websites of forecasting services indicated early today the storm will strike the New Jersey shore near Atlantic City Monday night.

While Sandy does not pack the punch of Hurricane Katrina, which devastated New Orleans in 2005, its winds stretch some 520 miles (835km) from its eye, meteorologists said.

New York and other cities and towns closed their transit systems and schools and ordered mass evacuations from low-lying areas ahead of a storm surge that could reach as high as 11 feet (3.4 metres).

All US stock markets will be closed on Monday and possibly Tuesday, the operator of the New York Stock Exchange said late on Sunday, reversing an earlier plan that would have kept electronic trading going on Monday.

Sandy forced President Barack Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney to cancel some campaign stops and fuelled fears that it could disrupt early voting - encouraged by the candidates this year more than ever - before the 6 November election.

The United Nations, Broadway theatres, New Jersey casinos, schools up and down the Eastern Seaboard, and myriad corporate events are also being shut down.

'Don't be stupid'

Officials ordered people in coastal towns and low-lying areas to evacuate, often telling them they would put emergency workers' lives at risk if they stayed.

"Don't be stupid, get out, and go to higher, safer ground," New Jersey Governor Chris Christie told a news conference.

Forecasters said Sandy was a rare, hybrid "super storm" created by an Arctic jet stream wrapping itself around a tropical storm, possibly causing up to 12 inches (30 cm) of rain in some areas, as well as up to 3 feet (90 cm) of snowfall in the Appalachian Mountains from West Virginia to Kentucky.

Flights cancelled

The Dublin Airport Authority has warned that a number of transatlantic flights have been cancelled due to severe weather associated with the hurricane.

Aer Lingus has had to cancel its flights to and from New York and Boston today.

The following flights have been cancelled

EI-105 Dublin to New York and EI-104 New York to Dublin

EI-111 Shannon to New York and EI-110 New York to Shannon

EI-109 Dublin to New York and EI-108 New York to Dublin

EI- 133 Dublin to Boston and EI- 136 Boston to Dublin

EI- 137 Dublin to Boston and EI- 138 Boston to Dublin

The Dublin to Chicago and Chicago to Dublin services are currently scheduled to operate.


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Schäuble says Ireland won't need second bailout

German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble has said he is 100% confident that Ireland will not require a second bailout.

Mr Schäuble also said he is very impressed with Ireland's progress on fighting the debt crisis.

The German Finance Minister made his comments after meeting Finance Minister Michael Noonan and Public Expenditure and Reform Minister Brendan Howlin.

He said that Irish success on fighting the crisis is important not just to Ireland but to the eurozone as a whole.

He said that when Germany has to explain to groups such as the IMF about what is going on in Europe, they point to the successes the Irish economy has achieved since its bailout.

He said that Irish success on fighting the crisis is important not just to Ireland but to the euro zone as a whole.

When asked about the Anglo Irish Bank promissory note, Mr Schauble said he did not think it would be a good idea to comment on the issue, adding that it was a matter for the Irish Government and the ECB.

The three ministers held private talks for about 40 minutes, before they were joined by officials from the Irish and German finance ministries.

The meeting started later than planned because of the late arrival of the German delegation due to fog at Casement Airbase in Baldonnel, which delayed their landing.

The meeting was held in Farmleigh because the Dublin City Marathon start and finish is on Merrion Square, which is close to the Department of Finance.

Roads around the area are closed to traffic due to the marathon.

Speaking at today's press conference, Finance Minister Michael Noonan said the three ministers had a successful meeting on European matters and matters of concern to Ireland.

He said that everything was ''in the context of Ireland taking over the EU presidency in January''.

Mr Noonan said Mr Schäuble has been ''helpful and supportive'' in Ireland processing the bailout programme and helping to get back to the markets at reasonable interest rates.

The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Brendan Howlin, described the meeting as ''useful''.

He expressed gratitude for the help and guidance the Government has received from Federal finance ministry.

''I think we have a very good understanding of each other's positions. We have put jobs and growth at the centre of our priorities, and are dovetailing with the objectives Mr Schaulble has,'' the Minister added.

German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble told the conference that it is ''very important that we all work together on the crisis''.

He said that markets are still lacking in confidence ''because Europe is a bit too complex''.

''Our way of making decisions and communicating them is always a bit difficult for people abroad, so it's important we go step-by-step to improve this,'' he said.

On the bank debt deal, Mr Schaulbe said that the German officials 'study Irish papers carefully''.

He said there had been some misunderstanding, and the joint statement of the Taoiseach and Chancellor made it clear there has been a misunderstanding.

He said the eurozone continues to work to deliver the preconditions of a European banking solution.

But quoting ECB President Mario Draghi, he said this will not be possible before 2014, and there are always problems.

''We know the specific situation of Ireland. It is a specific case, but we agree we have to avoid making any announcement that could imply that the programme for Ireland is not working because it is working and working well,'' the German finance minister stated.


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Tsunami hits Hawaii after Canada earthquake

Written By Unknown on Minggu, 28 Oktober 2012 | 22.40

However, the first waves were less forceful than had been feared, no damage was reported and the warning has been downgraded to an advisory.

The waves were caused by a powerful 7.7 earthquake off Canada's Pacific coast several hours earlier.

The tsunami struck shortly after 10.30pm (8.30am Irish time), as motorists clogged roadways in a mass exodus from low-lying areas.

"The tsunami arrived about when we expected it should," Senior Geophysicist Gerard Fryer told reporters, saying: "I was expecting it to be a little bigger."

The height of the first surge was initially put at 90cm, but the warning centre subsequently reported that early tsunami wave activity peaked at just 75cm at the island of Maui.

Hawaii Governor Neil Abercrombie announced that the warning was being downgraded, ending the threat of serious damage.

Mr Abercrombie said that the state was lucky to avoid more severe surges but beaches and harbours were still closed.

Elsewhere, the National Weather Service has cancelled tsunami advisories for Canada and Oregon.

The US Geological Survey said the quake hit the Queen Charlotte Islands just after 8pm local time (4am Irish time) at a depth of about 5km and was centred 155km south of Masset, British Columbia.

It was one of the biggest earthquakes around Canada in decades and was felt across a wide area in British Columbia.


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Gary Glitter arrested in Savile abuse inquiry

Glitter, whose real name is Paul Gadd, was taken to a London police station this morning for questioning.

He was jailed for four months in the UK in 1999 for downloading child pornography and later jailed for child sex offences in Vietnam.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said: "Officers working on Operation Yewtree have today arrested a man in his 60s in connection with the investigation.

"The man, from London, was arrested at approximately 7.15am on suspicion of sexual offences, and has been taken into custody at a London police station.

"The individual falls under the strand of the investigation we have termed 'Savile and others'."

Savile, who died last year at the age of 84, has been described as one of the most prolific sex offenders in recent UK history.

Detectives are dealing with about 300 alleged victims and are following more than 400 lines of inquiry.

Elsewhere, the chairman of the BBC Trust, Lord Patten, has said he is dedicated to getting to the bottom of the Savile scandal that has engulfed the corporation, vowing there would be "no covering our backs".

Writing in today's Mail on Sunday, Lord Patten said the BBC's reputation is on the line and that it has risked squandering the public's trust.

He has promised the BBC will not hide behind smokescreens, but "must tell the truth and face up to the truth about itself, however terrible".

Speaking of Savile's apparent decades of criminality, he wrote: "Can it really be the case that no one knew what he was doing? Did some turn a blind eye to criminality?

"Did some prefer not to follow up their suspicions because of this criminal's popularity and place in the schedules? Were reports of criminality put aside or buried? Even those of us who were not there at the time are inheritors of the shame."

Lord Patten also apologised "unreservedly" to the abused women who spoke to the BBC's Newsnight programme but did not have their stories told.

The BBC chairman said the two independent inquiries that have been set up - one into the Newsnight report, the other into the BBC's culture and practices in the years Savile worked there - must get to the truth of what happened.

Lord Patten said: "Now my immediate priority is to get to the bottom of the Savile scandal and to make any and every change necessary in the BBC to learn the lessons from our independent investigations".


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Jill Meagher murder suspect admitted to hospital

It is understood that Adrian Ernest Bayley, 41, is to undergo surgery after being admitted to hospital from the maximum security prison where he was being detained.

A spokesman for the Australian Department of Justice confirmed that an inmate was taken to hospital suffering what appeared to be self-inflicted injuries.

He would not reveal the identity of the prisoner or the extent of his injuries.

The Drogheda-born woman disappeared in the early hours of Saturday 22 September after a night out with work colleagues in the Brunswick area of Melbourne.

Her body was discovered several days later in a shallow grave at the side of a dirt road about 50km northwest of Melbourne.


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Shatter criticises 'inaccurate' newspaper report

In a statement this afternoon, Alan Shatter denied Enda Kenny asked him to meddle or intervene in a family law case as had been claimed in a report in the Sunday Independent.

The newspaper had alleged that the Taoiseach had written two letters to Minister Shatter relating to a family law case.

It also claimed in response, the Minister had told the Taoiseach that it was inappropriate and entirely improper for him to comment on the case.

However, the Minister for Justice has strongly criticised the newspaper and dismissed its "inaccurate report".

He said the Taoiseach had forwarded a letter from a constituent to him.

In his covering letter, Mr Kenny had requested the minister examine the points raised in the constituent's letter and advise him.

The matter was never described as a legal case but an issue of family law. He was not asked to "meddle" in a family law case, nor was he was he asked to intervene.

The minister stated he did not tell the Taoiseach that it was entirely improper for a member of the Government to intervene.

What he did state was that he hoped the constituent would understand it was entirely improper for a minister to intervene.

Mr Shatter said the newspaper had obtained the records under the Freedom of Information Act and then "corrupted the content" to create a sensational story for the paper's commercial benefit.

"This was deliberately done to damage the Taoiseach's reputation, to represent me as having admonished the Taoiseach and to attract critical comment from Oireachtas members who had not read the correspondence concerned," he stated.

The minister said he expected Independent Newspapers would be taking steps to address the issues raised in the story and publish an appropriate apology.

Meanwhile, Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar also said the story was inaccurate and there was nothing inappropriate about the letters between Mr Kenny and Mr Shatter.


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Uganda PM denies receiving Irish Aid funds

Uganda Prime Minster Amama Mbabazi has told RTÉ that he did not receive any of the Irish Aid funding that was misappropriated by officials in his office.

Mr Mbabazi spoke for the first time about the scandal on RTÉ's This Week programme this afternoon.

He said: "I didn't even know. No money was ever paid to me and I never handled money. As Prime Minister I never handle money of Government. Never."

Mr Mbabazi said he never became suspicious of the activities of officials.

Local media say the officials perpetrated the fraud from the basement of the office building in which Mr Mbabazi is based.

The reporters claim to have seen leaked copies of the Ugandan Auditor General's Report into the matter.

Mr Mbabazi said: "My involvement as prime minister is obviously limited to policy. The management of public funds according to our constitution is in the hands of our public officials.

"Ordinarily I wouldn't have known. The accounting officer reports to the treasury and the auditor general reports to parliament, so most times when we hear queries, we hear them from the auditor general."

Mr Mbabazi said he was sorry about what had happened in his office and that he understood the anger of the Irish authorities.

He said he looked forward to meeting the Irish Ambassador to discuss how a recurrence might be prevented.

The prime minister said the first time he heard that Irish Aid was to be withdrawn was when journalists contacted him in Uganda and when a friend in Dublin brought newspaper reports to his attention.

He said the investigation was ongoing and that the investigation, which gave rise to the revelations of misappropriation, was instigated by his office.

Mr Mbabazi insisted that some of the money that was improperly taken out of the Crisis Management and Recovery Account was used for the development purposes, for which it was originally intended.

Speaking on the same programme, Minister for European Affairs Lucinda Creighton said the suspension of all Irish aid to the Ugandan government was the appropriate course of action until a clearer picture emerges as to the nature of the irregularities.


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New York to halt transport before hurricane

Weather forecasters have warned that Hurricane Sandy will affect a large area of the US east coast, as New York city is set to suspend its transport services.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said the city's subway, bus and train services will be suspended from 7pm this evening.

However, forecasters said it was too early to pinpoint where the storm, which has the potential to be the biggest to hit the mainland, would make landfall.

Government officials in several states in Sandy's path are facing tough decisions on emergency plans, including mandatory evacuations in vulnerable coastal areas.

Residents have scrambled to buy supplies before the storm arrives on Monday night.

On its current projected track, Sandy is most likely to make US landfall between Delaware and the New York/New Jersey area, forecasters said.

However, the Miami-based National Hurricane Center said it could not yet predict the precise point.

"It is still too soon to focus on the exact track ... both because of forecast uncertainty and because the impacts are going to cover such a large area," the NHC said.

While Sandy's winds are not overwhelming for a hurricane, its width is what has made it exceptional.

Hurricane force winds extend 165km from its centre, while its lesser tropical storm-force winds reach across 1,125km.

Sandy could have a brutal impact on major cities in the target zone, including Boston, New York, Baltimore, Washington DC and Philadelphia.

The storm could cause the worst flooding Connecticut has seen in more than 70 years, said the state's governor, Dannel P Malloy.

Sandy was located about 420km south-southeast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, with top sustained winds of 120km/h early this morning.

Forecasters said Sandy is a rare, hybrid "super storm" created by an Arctic jet stream wrapping itself around a tropical storm, possibly causing up to 30cm of rain in some areas, as well as heavy snowfall inland.

Sandy killed at least 66 people as it made its way through the Caribbean, including 51 in Haiti, mostly from flash flooding and mudslides.

The White House said US President Barack Obama took part in a call with US Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Craig Fugate to discuss preparations for Sandy.

The approaching storm forced a change of plans for both presidential candidates ahead of the election on Tuesday 6 November.

Mr Obama has cancelled a campaign appearance in Virginia tomorrow and another stop in Colorado on Tuesday, and will instead monitor the storm from Washington.

Republican challenger Mitt Romney cancelled a trip to Virginia set for today, when the state is expected to begin feeling Sandy's impact, and will go instead to Ohio.


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'Grave concerns' for missing Kildare teenager

Written By Unknown on Sabtu, 27 Oktober 2012 | 22.40

They would like to speak to anyone who may have seen Mr Clare near his home in Kilteel on Monday evening or hitch-hiking on the N7 or N81.

Superintendent Patrick Mangan said: "We have grave concerns for Cormac's welfare and have carried out extensive searches since Monday.

"There are over 400 people, including local gardaí, garda divisional search teams, garda water unit, civil defence and members of the public from the locality, involved in the search."

Mr Clare is described as being 6'1" and of thin build. He has short, tightly cut brown hair.

When last seen he was wearing a navy jacket, a wine coloured hooded top, plain navy cotton tracksuit bottoms and runners.

He may have been carrying a small black and green rucksack.


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Hurricane Sandy moves towards US east coast

Forecasters in the US have warned that Hurricane Sandy could merge with a winter storm to generate what they have called a "Frankenstorm", as it draws near land along the east coast.

Hurricane Sandy resulted in the deaths of 41 people as it passed through the Caribbean in recent days and is expected to reach land on Monday.

Forecast models show it will have all the ingredients to change into a massive and potentially catastrophic "super storm".

Governors in states along the US east coast declared states of emergency yesterday.

Officials urged residents to stock up on food, water and batteries in the event the storm develops as forecast.

The US Navy ordered all ships in Norfolk, Virginia, including a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, out to sea to ride out the storm.

Sandy was downgraded to a tropical storm early this morning, but has since regained its hurricane status after picking up strength in the Atlantic.

"We're expecting a large, large storm," said Louis Uccellini, director of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Center for Environmental Prediction.

"The circulation of this storm as it approaches the coast could cover about the eastern third of the United States."

Sandy was a Category 1 hurricane as it battered the Bahamas southeast of Florida yesterday.

It is expected to crawl northward today and tomorrow and then turn towards the US coast.

On its current projected track, Sandy could make landfall on Monday night or Tuesday somewhere between North Carolina and southern New England, forecasters said.

The storm has the potential to cause widespread power outages and unleash flooding and even dump snow as far inland as West Virginia. It also threatens to disrupt air travel all along the US East Coast.

The storm, coming in the final weeks before the US Presidential election on 6 November, is presenting a challenge to the campaigns of US President Barack Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney.

Mr Romney cancelled a rally scheduled for tomorrow evening in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

President Barack Obama's re-election campaign announced that Vice President Joe Biden also cancelled a trip to Virginia Beach.

Elsewhere in New York city, officials are considering shutting down the transport system, because they are worried the storm's impact could cause flooding or high winds that would endanger subways and buses.


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Ireland needs funds at reasonable price - Burton

Minister Burton said Ireland is well-placed to exit the EU/ECB/IMF programme next year.

She said this is the strong case that Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore have been making in their visits to various European leaders this week.

The minister said the European Union is about a common market and the common market element applies to funding issues.

She said the eurozone needs to be able to show that countries can emerge from difficulties.

Ms Burton said Ireland is well-placed to emerge from its difficulties on the back of the tremendous sacrifices made by Irish people.

The Minister acknowledged that there may be something of a premium for risk in relation to Ireland.

She said the concept of Europe as a free market is at the heart of the European Union and she asked, what is more important than that countries in Europe have access to sovereign funding at reasonable prices.

She said it is critical to getting the whole of the eurozone and the European Union back on the economic track of recovery.

"I think if Ireland can do that it will be a tremendous gain, not just for Ireland but for other European countries as well," Minister Burton said.

"The eurozone in recovery, in turn, will help a world recovery so that we can end the blight of joblessness that is spreading not just to the countries that are having difficulties but is spreading right throughout the eurozone."


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Army and rebels break Syrian ceasefire

Syrian warplanes have bombed a building in a Damascus suburb, killing at least eight people in the first airstrike since an internationally mediated cease-fire went into effect, activists have said.

The attack came a day after car bombs and clashes left 151 dead, according to activist tallies, leaving the four-day truce that began Friday at the start of a major Muslim holiday in tatters.

The rapid unravelling of the effort to achieve even a temporary peace marked the latest setback to ending Syria's civil war through diplomacy after months of failed efforts.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said eight people were killed and many others wounded in the airstrike in Arbeen, a suburb of the capital. The area also has witnessed heavy clashes and intense shelling.

An amateur video posted by activists online showed a building that was turned into a pile of rubble said to be from the airstrike.

The videos appear consistent with AP's reporting in the area.

In the north, rebels and Kurdish neighbourhood guards fought a rare battle late Friday in the embattled city of Aleppo that left 30 people dead, activists said.

In all, 151 people were reported killed on Friday, including 11 in a car bomb in a residential area of Damascus, on par with the daily death tolls preceding the cease-fire.

Shelling and clashes resumed Saturday nationwide.

A car bomb parked behind an Assyrian church near a military police compound and a military court went off today killing five people in the eastern city of Deir el-Zour, according to the Observatory.

Military forces that rushed to the site of the blast then came under rebel fire, and three soldiers were killed, it said.

State-run TV denied the blast caused any casualties.

Nobody claimed responsibility, but the attack was similar to those staged in the past by a radical Islamic group fighting on the rebel side, Jabhat al-Nusra, which has rejected the cease-fire outright.

The Observatory also said 30 rebels and Kurdish gunmen were killed in clashes that broke out in Aleppo's predominantly Kurdish neighbourhood of Ashrafieh late Friday.

A Kurdish official put the death toll at 10 Kurds, but had no figures for the rebels.

Rebels made a push Thursday into largely Kurdish and Christian areas that had been relatively quiet during the three-month battle for Syria's largest city.

Kurds say the rebels had pledged to stay out of their neighbourhoods.

Kurdish groups have for the most part tried to steer a middle course in the conflict between the rebels and the regime of President Bashar Assad.

Mohieddine Sheik Ali, head of the Kurdish Yekiti party, said the clashes broke out after rebels entered Ashrafieh, violating "a gentlemen's agreement" not to go into Kurdish areas in Aleppo.

He said 100,000 Kurds live in Ashrafieh and many in the nearby Sheik Maksoud area. Sheik Ali said tens of thousands of Arabs have also fled to these areas to escape the violence in other parts of Aleppo.

The Observatory said the clashes led to a wave of kidnappings between the two groups, but did not provide further details. Pro-government news websites also reported the clashes.

Kurds are the largest ethnic minority in Syria, making up around 10% to 15% of the country's 23 million people.

After the anti-government uprising began in March last year, both the Syrian government and opposition forces began reaching out to the long-marginalized minority whose support could tip the balance in the conflict.

Kurds have long complained of neglect and discrimination. But they are also leery of how they would fare in a Syria dominated by the large Sunni Arab rebel movement.

In other violence, the Observatory and the Local Coordination Committees also reported shelling and shooting today in Aleppo and Daraa to the south.

Syria mediator Lakhdar Brahimi, the UN-Arab League envoy, had mediated a four-day cease-fire that began Friday to mark the Muslim feast of Eid al-Adha.

"The cease-fire collapsed nearly three hours after it went into effect," said Rami Abdul-Rahman, who heads the Observatory.

In Lebanon, the leading LBC TV said Lebanese journalist Fidaa Itani, one of its employees covering Syria's civil war, was detained by the rebels and is being held in the town of Azaz near the Turkish border.

The station quoted a local rebel leader in Azaz, Abu Ibrahim, as saying that rebels suspected Itani after he filmed many videos of rebels operations in Aleppo. Itani's Lebanese cell phone was closed when The Associated Press tried to reach him.

The area also was the site of the May kidnapping of 11 Shiite Lebanese pilgrims who were on their way home from Iran. Two have been released while rebels say they will hold the others until Sheik Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Lebanon's militant Hezbollah group, apologizes from the Syrian people for supporting Assad.


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Berlusconi denounces fraud verdict as 'political'

Former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi has described the one-year jail sentence he has been given for tax evasion as unbearable.

Speaking on television in Italy, Berlusconi accused the judiciary of attacking him for political reasons.

Lawyers for Berlusconi are to appeal against his jail sentence, a process that could take several years.

Prosecutors had brought the case against Berlusconi and ten other co-defendants over the purchase of rights to broadcast US films on Berlusconi's Mediaset empire.

Berlusconi said: "If you can't count on impartial judges in a country, the country becomes uncivil, barbarian and unliveable and stops being a democracy.

"It's sad, but the situation of our country today is that way."

Berlusconi has been convicted of lesser crimes in past trials, but they have always been thrown out on appeal.

"I was sure to be acquitted from an accusation that is out of reality. This conviction is political, incredible and unbearable, we can't go on like this," he said.

"It proves that there is a persistent judiciary attack against me and that there is a political usage of the justice."

He is also on trial in Milan on a charge of paying for sex with a Moroccan teenager and trying to cover it up.

Berlusconi also said that he will stay in politics, saying that he felt "obliged to stay in the field" in order to protect other Italians from what he called judicial injustices.

However, he says he will not be a candidate for the post of prime minister in the next election.


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Croke Park may be revisited - LRC chief

Speaking on RTE's Saturday with Claire Byrne, Mr Mulvey said that does not necessarily mean that Croke Park would not last until June 2014.

However, the initiative by the Government in the recent month and the response of the unions probably indicates that the agreement will be revisited.

He said it would not be Croke Park two but revitalising the agreement to maybe transform it into a more deliberate agreement over the next year.

Mr Mulvey said other governments like Greece, Spain and Portugal would love to have a Croke Park agreement because the State has engaged with its own employees not only on pay and cost issues but why we need to change to meet the new demands of the modern world.

He said Croke Park is a reform programme, to turn the engine of State around to meet the demands of the 21st century.


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Five dead, 32 hurt in Damascus car bomb

Written By Unknown on Jumat, 26 Oktober 2012 | 22.40

The bomb went off in the southern Daf al-Shok area, a Sunni neighbourhood.

Several buildings were damaged, opposition activists said.

A mosque is also situated near where the bomb went off.

Syrian state television said a "terrorist car bomb" had exploded in Daf al-Shok with casualties including children and heavy material damage.

"Security forces have surrounded the site. The target appears to be civilians," said Moaz al-Shami of the Damascus Media Office, an opposition activists' monitoring group.

Another activist said security forces fired in the air to prevent residents from approaching the scene.

Daf al-Shok, whose inhabitants have been active in the 19-month-old revolt against President Bashar al-Assad, is adjacent to Nisreen district, inhabited mostly by members of Assad's minority Alawite sect and a recruiting ground for a pro-Asssad militia known as shabbiha (ghosts).

This morning, heavy fighting broke out around a Syrian military base, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

It was the first major violation of a ceasefire marking the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha.

The Observatory said rebel fighters were trying to storm the base, which is less than 1km from the main north-south highway linking Damascus to Aleppo.

Elsewhere, three people were killed by tank fire and snipers in the Damascus suburb of Harasta, activists said.

Rebels in a northern town close to the Turkish border also reported one of their fighters was shot dead by a sniper early this morning.

A Reuters journalist in the town heard what sounded like four rounds of tank fire.

Syria's warring parties had agreed to a four-day truce proposed by mediator Lakhdar Brahimi to mark Eid al-Adha.

The Syrian regime accepted it but said it would respond to rebel attacks. Some rebel groups said they would abide by the ceasefire.

Other groups, including the Nusra Front, dismissed the truce before it even came into effect.


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Two men guilty of 2011 Limerick murders

Patrick O'Brien, 31, from Glanntan, Golf Links Road in Castletroy, and Thomas Stewart, 28, of The Cedar, Briarfield, Castletroy, had both pleaded not guilty to the murders.

Desmond Kelly and Breda Waters were killed at O'Malley Park on 9 January, 2011.

The court heard that the two were shot dead within a ten-minute period and that Mr Kelly's sister was in the house babysitting his five-month-old daughter at the time.


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44 AIB branches to close permanently today

It is part of a major rationalisation of branches within the group, which will see 67 branches close altogether by next year.

AIB said the move to close and amalgamate branches and sub offices across the country follows a detailed review of its banking services.

It says it is regrettable but necessary to help AIB return to viability.

Many services are moving to branches in other towns and cities, and AIB said that some of its cash-lodgement services will be provided by local post offices.

AIB said it is also providing a mobile banking service on particular days of the week for some of the towns and villages affected.

However, the move has been described as a devastating blow to rural life by communities in villages affected by closures.

In the village of Dromcollogher, in Co Limerick, the community raised a strong campaign to try and keep the branch open, including meeting executives at AIB HQ in Dublin and mounting a protest at the Dáil.

They say it is a major setback for them and for businesses who worry about how the move will affect their business traffic, and they also have security fears about not being able to move cash locally.

For many towns and villages it could mean a round trip of up to 20km a day to get to another branch.

Three more branches will close in November, and 13 will close next year.

AIB says it regrets the branch closures but that it must bring the bank to stability and viability and provide a return to the taxpayer.

AIB's head of branch banking Denis O'Callaghan said 200 branches will remain across the country after the closures.

He said they are also expanding the number of transactions available at the 1,160 post offices, and 85% of branch services will be available there.

Four mobile banks will also operate covering 31 locations.

However, he acknowledged that some transactions will only be possible in branches.


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Two firms announce plans for 200 jobs in Cork

Call centre provider Voxpro has already begun recruiting to fill 100 multi-lingual, technical support positions in Cork city.

Elsewhere, meat processor Kepak will add another 100 jobs at its consumer food facility at Watergrasshill in Co Cork.

Voxpro is an Irish call centre company that started with just six people 14 years ago.

The firm has now announced plans to increase its workforce to 330 within the next three months.

Voxpro operates in 12 languages to more than 300 indigenous and global organisations. It is looking for high-calibre, multi-lingual, technical and customer service personnel.

Kepak prepares and packs chilled and cooked meats for companies such as the Musgrave Group.

The 100 new jobs will bring employment there to more than 650.


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Bank deal would not amount to 'second bailout'

He was responding to comments by a spokesman for Chancellor Angela Merkel's CDU party, who said new conditions would have to apply if the ESM was used in such a manner.

Mr Kenny said that he had never envisaged a second bailout.

He reiterated that part of the decision made by the European Council on 29 June was to recognise the special circumstances that apply in Ireland's case.

"This is not a sort of Troika bailout situation that applies now," Mr Kenny said.

"Ireland's banks have been recapitalised at the highest level, that is a matter of historical record, and that burden has been put on our public and on our taxpayers.

"That is why we're pursuing the decision made on the 29 June, to bring that to a reality which will ease our position somewhat."

Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore has said there is a clear understanding with the German government that it will co-operate in working through the issues relating to bank debt.

It was Norbert Barthle, leader of the CDU group in the Bundestag budgetary affairs committee, who said use of the ESM would have to be considered as a second bailout programme.

Under German law, his committee is required to approve any future support programmes undertaken by the ESM.

He made the remarks in advance of Mr Gilmore's visit to Berlin.

Mr Gilmore is to meet his German counterpart, as well as the centre left opposition candidate who will challenge Chancellor Merkel in next year's elections.

Mr Barthle said that Ireland's current programme falls under the European Stability Mechanism's predecessor, the EFSF. Under the rules, he said, if Ireland applied to the ESM for its bank debt then a new programme would be required.

That would come with its own conditionality, he added.

His remarks indicate that there is flexibility in Berlin's thinking, following last week's controversy over Chancellor Merkel's apparent rejection of legacy debt being covered by the ESM.


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Silvio Berlusconi sentenced to four years in jail

A court in Italy has convicted former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi of tax fraud and sentenced him to four years in prison.

Berlusconi has the right to appeal the ruling two more times before the sentence becomes definitive and will not be jailed unless the final appeal is upheld.

Prosecutors had asked for a jail sentence of three years and eight months.

Berlusconi's lawyers fiercely criticised the conviction and said they would appeal against the "incredible" verdict.

The court also ordered damages provisionally set at €10m to be paid by Berlusconi and his co-defendants to tax authorities.

The ruling comes two days after Berlusconi, 76, confirmed he would not run in next year's elections as the leader of his centre-right People of Freedom (PDL) party.

A separate trial over accusations that Berlusconi paid for sex with an underage prostitute is currently being heard in Milan.

He denies all charges against him.

The four-time prime minister and other Mediaset executives stood accused of inflating the price paid for TV rights via offshore companies controlled by Berlusconi, and skimming off part of the money to create illegal slush funds.

The investigation focused on television and cinema rights that Berlusconi's holding company Fininvest bought via offshore companies from US groups for €470m between 1994 and 1999.

Angelino Alfano, secretary of the PDL, said the ruling proved once again "judicial persecution" of the media-magnate, while political rival Antonio Di Pietro, a former magistrate, hailed the decision, saying "the truth has been exposed".

The court acquitted Mediaset chairman and long-term Berlusconi friend Fedele Confalonieri, for whom prosecutors had sought a sentence of three years and four months.

Shares in Mediaset, Italy's biggest private broadcaster, fell as much as 3% after the ruling.


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HSE reiterates pay warning to hospital consultants

Written By Unknown on Kamis, 25 Oktober 2012 | 22.40

Arriving for a Labour Court hearing on work practice reforms for consultants, HSE Director of Human Resources Barry O'Brien said the Executive expected all consultants to cooperate with a change programme from 5 November.

The Irish Hospital Consultants Association has refused to attend the hearing on the grounds that the issues being examined are not encompassed by Croke Park.

They also argue that they signed up to Croke Park as a non-binding collaborative approach, rather than a binding collective agreement.

However, the HSE said that by not engaging under the Croke Park Agreement, consultants were removing themselves from the protections of the agreement and exposing themselves to the risk of pay cuts.

The situation is complicated by the fact that the Irish Medical Organisation, which also represents consultants, is attending the hearing.

Director of Industrial Relations Steve Tweed said the IMO was clearly in compliance with Croke Park and there should not be talk about cutting his members' pay.

Asked about the stance of the IHCA, he said he could not speak for them.

A Labour Court ruling could be delivered by the end of next week.


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SVP urges Govt to target wealthy in Budget

At a pre-Budget event in Dublin, SVP President Geoff Meagher said the people his organisation help cannot take any further cuts to their incomes as they are already struggling.

The charity has also published a booklet highlighting 13 different case studies, which it says demonstrates the effects of those who are struggling to cope financially.

It details one case where a mother moves tins of food from the cupboard to the fridge so her children think the family has more food than it actually has.

The St Vincent De Paul also called for the introduction of minimum pricing for alcohol, including a social responsibility levy.

It also says the 50c prescription charge for Medical Card holders should be withdrawn.

The charity has also sought an urgent meeting with Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton, to ensure there are no further cuts to one-parent families in December's Budget.


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Talks held on exit from bailout programme

Minister for Finance Michael Noonan made the comment as the Troika concluded its latest mission to Ireland.

Ireland has successfully met the targets under the latest EU-IMF review mission.

Discussions are now beginning to look at leaving the loan programme, which is due to happen at the end of next year.

Mr Noonan said a paper would be published before Christmas outlining options for exiting.

One way to assist the country would be a statement from European Central Bank President Mario Draghi allowing Ireland to avail of the bond-buying programme. That would reduce the cost of borrowing.

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Brendan Howlin said the European Commission has volunteered to prepare "options of support" so that Ireland can be the first country to exit a programme of this kind.

He said it would be a huge advantage to have a deal on Ireland's bank debt prior to exiting the programme, but he said it is not a pre-condition.

On the sale of State assets, the minister said work had been done in relation to Coillte and Bord Gáis assets.

The Troika had told the Government to sell off State assets to raise cash.

In a statement today, the Troika praised Ireland's progress but said significant risks remain, which require determined efforts by politicians.

It said that while the banks remain well capitalised and their downsizing plans are progressing well, further efforts are needed to address their profitability and growing level of arrears.

But the Troika highlighted the unacceptably high level of unemployment, especially among the youth and said that job creation and growth remains a key priority.

It also said the Government is ''alert'' to the level of overspending in the health sector.

The EU and IMF has urged the Government to adopt Budget measures that are ''durable'' and ''as growth friendly as possible to minimise the burden of adjustment on the most vulnerable''.

''Intensified efforts'' are required to deal decisively with mortgage arrears and further reduce bank operating costs, the Troika urged.

It said that an orderly phasing out of the ''costly'' Eligible Liability Guarantee Scheme would improve the banks' profits and support lending capacity.

The country is expected to meet its fiscal targets for this year, despite expenditure overruns in some areas, it added.

The Troika said that conclusion of the eighth review would see the IMF releasing €900m in funds for Ireland, while the EFSM/EFSF release another €800m.

EU member states are expected to donate another €500m through bilateral loans.


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Govt seeks legal advice on Mobility Allowance

It follows a report from the Ombudsman that found the Department of Health has been illegally operating the scheme for the past 12 years.

"It is not the Government's wish to withdraw the Mobility Allowance from those who currently receive it," Mr Gilmore said in response to questions from Sinn Féin.

"The Government is seeking legal advice as to how we can proceed in a way that is reasonable, sustainable and does not cause undue distress to those in receipt of the allowance."

The report, Too Old to be Equal, says the department has known about this illegality since at least 2008. However, despite agreeing in April last year to remove an illegal upper 66 years age limit, it has failed to do so.

The department said acting on the Ombudsman's recommendations would create liabilities the State cannot afford.

The Disability Federation of Ireland has said it is "extremely worrying" that the department continues to act outside of the law by illegally operating the scheme.

DFI Chief Executive John Dolan said the fact the department acknowledged the issue and then rowed back on taking action is of concern.

Mr Dolan said it is clear that the department is only worried about upsetting the Budget arithmetic, but he said it has an obligation to support and look after people.

The Government did not learn anything from the controversy last September when cuts were imposed to personal assistant hours and later had to be reversed, he claimed.

'Politics clashing with bureaucracy'

Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Emily O'Reilly said she had no sympathy for the department and believed this could be a case where "politics is clashing with the bureaucracy".

She said: "They could move immediately to act within the law.

"They have to remove the upper age limit and if there is a financial difficulty that I think perhaps they have to make the scheme tighter."

The Mobility Allowance is a monthly payment made by the Health Service Executive to people with a severe disability, who are unable to walk and who would benefit from trips away from home.

It has been in place since 1979 and is worth a maximum of just over €208 a month.

Ms O'Reilly said that this month the department rejected a further recommendation from her to drop the limit, after five new complaints from people refused the allowance.

In the report, she says the continued disregard of the law by a key State body is quite "unacceptable" and she has now reported it to the Dáil and Seanad.

The report says the Ombudsman understands that the position being put forward by the department is a position agreed with the Minister for Health.

It details five cases of refusal, including a case where a complainant was aged 81 and who died last March.

The department said it cannot amend the scheme as it would ignore the serious financial constraints on the department, the HSE and the State.

It also warns that the scheme cannot continue to operate on its present basis and the department must consider a further number of issues that have arisen from recent approaches to Government in this matter.

The upper age limit applies to those first applying after 66 years.

Allowances must be based on need - ALONE

An organisation representing older people has said the Government must provide allowances on the basis of need, regardless of the financial situation.

Responding to the Ombudsman's report, the Chief Executive Officer of ALONE said a Government department operating outside the law was a "dangerous precedent".

Seán Moynihan said the issue of older disabled people being able to get out of their homes was a very important one.

"What we believe is that regardless of how much money is available, there should be equality for health services and for allowances, based on need and assessment, not based on age," he said.

"If anybody in any Government department feels that something they're doing is outside the law of the land...the fact that they feel they can proceed with that is a very dangerous precedent when we're in a time of cuts and... redistributing what money we have."


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Govt stops aid payments to Uganda over allegations

Mr Gilmore said €16m of Irish aid has been put on hold.

The move comes after a draft report by Auditor General of Uganda found that €12m worth of aid from Ireland, Norway, Sweden and Denmark had been transferred to unauthorised accounts in the office of Ugandan Prime Minister Patrick Amama Mbabazi.

The draft report covers the period from July 2011 to July 2012.

Irish Officials, including two auditors, were sent to Kampala this morning to examine the draft report and will report back to the Tánaiste on whether the money can be retrieved.

Mr Gilmore said he had asked the Irish ambassador in Uganda to convey the message that while Irish government is proud of its aid programme in the country, it will not tolerate any misappropriation or misuse of Irish money.

Responding to questions about whether the Irish Government should stop giving aid directly to the receiving countries' governments, as had been previously called for by some NGO's, Mr Gilmore said he took comfort from the fact that the issue was identified by the Attorney General in Uganda following an investigation of the prime minister's office.

He said the Government's aid programme has been working to support offices such as independent auditor-generals in countries where they provide aid.

Uganda is one of the biggest recipients of Irish aid - it was due to receive €32m from the Irish government this year.

€17m of this is channelled through the Ugandan Government, while another €15m is given to NGOs in Uganda.

This money is not affected by today's decision.


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Appeal to motorists over Bank Holiday road safety

Extra checkpoints will be mounted nationwide by gardaí during the weekend to ensure drivers are complying with the law.

They will also be targeting the learner permit owners who are obliged to drive with fully qualified drivers accompanying them.

According to figures released from four enforcement operations this year 36% of learner drivers were not accompanied in this way while 26% did not have L plates displayed.

Noel Brett of the Road Safety Authority said this is the most dangerous time of the year on the roads.

Clocks turning back, leaves on the roads, wet conditions and dark mornings all contributed to the difficult conditions, he said.


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Analogue TV signal replaced by digital

Written By Unknown on Rabu, 24 Oktober 2012 | 22.40

The free-to-air television service, known as Saorview, will provide consumers with a greater choice of channels, better quality pictures and sound and digital Aertel.

Minister for Communications Pat Rabbitte said the switchover "heralds the dawn of the digital broadcasting era" in Ireland.

He said the closure of the analogue TV network frees up "space for mobile broadband services".

To receive Saorview, viewers will need to have purchased a set-top box or a Saorview approved television.

Retailers around the country have reported a significant late surge in business.

For those who have not made the switch, their screens went blank at 10am.

Analogue Aertel will continue to be broadcast on UPC, and for Sky customers who are currently able to receive the signal.

Following today's switchover, Aertel will be available on Saorview, online - in a new digital format on www.rte.ie/aertel. 

For mobile users it is available as usual on m.rte.ie/aertel.

Saorview queries – 1890-222-012 or www.saorview.ie

Aertel has over 1.2m users on a weekly basis and around 5m page impressions online a month on www.rte.ie/aertel and m.rte.ie/aertel.

Director of Production and Operations at RTÉ Digital Tom Grealis said Aertel has an emotive appeal to teletext users who have grown up with the service.

"We've taken the best of the service and modernised it on www.rte.ie, while keeping a familiar look and feel that appeals to our traditional users," he said.


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Syrian military considers ceasefire proposal

They said they would announce a decision tomorrow.

Earlier, Mr Brahimi said the Syrian government had agreed to a ceasefire during the holiday. His initiative did not include plans for international observers to monitor a halt to hostilities.

It is not clear whether rebels will commit to a truce.

A previous ceasefire arrangement in April collapsed within days with both sides accusing the other of breaking it.

Meanwhile, activists said Syrian warplanes were carrying out bombing raids on the strategic northern town of Maarat al-Numan and nearby villages while insurgents surrounded an army base to its east.

Hundreds of Syrian refugees have poured into a makeshift refugee camp at Atimah overlooking the Turkish border, fleeing a week of what they said were the most intense army bombardments since the uprising began.

Human Rights Watch said the Syrian air force had increased its use of cluster bombs across the country in the past two weeks.

Russia said rebels had acquired portable surface-to-air missiles, including US-made Stingers - a weapon that would help bring down warplanes and helicopters.


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Kenny denies commissioning hospital report

Mr Kenny was answering a question from Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin during Leaders' Questions in the Dáil.

He said: "I have no interest ... in the speculation, or the rumour or the innuendo that goes on.

"Did the Government Commission another independent report in regards to the Children's Hospital? The answer to that question is no.

"Did any Minister commission other independent reports into any of these locations? The answer to that question is no."

Mr Kenny said there was one report and that was the Dolphin report.

He said the new hospital is a fundamentally important project and that it is only right that the Government considers it carefully.

Sinn Féin's Gerry Adams said the Government was 18 months in office and there had been two reports, a planning refusal and still no decision on the location of the hospital.

Mr Kenny said that a decision on the hospital was expected within a fortnight.

Mr Martin asked whether former Dublin City Council Manager John Fitzgerald had been approached for advice on the issue.

The Taoiseach said any such contacts were informal and within the terms of the Dolphin report.

He said: "It is right and proper that the Department of Health with the minister would ask questions about aspects of the Dolphin report. That was in an informal way, as Mr Fitzgerald himself has commented.

"Don't be running away with the illusion Deputy Martin that Minister Reilly or any other minister or the Government went off and commissioned an individual or individuals to do other independent assessments of the sites and locations that were mentioned in the Dolphin report."

The Department of Health has written to the 41 parties that made submissions to the Dolphin review into the location for the new hospital, asking if they are happy for their submission to be published.

The letter, written on 18 October, says that after the decision is made by Government on the location, submissions may be made available on the department's website.

It also says submissions may be sought under Freedom of Information legislation and "consideration will be given to releasing the records in accordance with the legislation".

The letter says the Review Group report was presented to Mr Reilly on 8 June.

The Irish Medical Organisation has said it wants to see the hospital built.

IMO President Dr Paul McKeown said the issue of the best location was one for experts, but he said the hospital needs to be built in the interests of children's care.

Meanwhile, Minister for Communications Pat Rabbitte said he was "completely bemused" by the speculation about new reports into the location of the hospital .

"As I understand it, what Eamon Gilmore has been doing is what would happen in any event in a coalition government, that comprises two separate parties," Mr Rabbitte said.

Speaking on RTÉ's Today with Pat Kenny, Mr Rabbitte dismissed the idea "that Eamon Gilmore is going out inspecting sites, or getting involved in the detail".

While the minister said he was disappointed about the delay in announcing details of a new site, he said that he expected the two-week deadline for a decision to be kept.

When Minister for Health James Reilly presents his proposal, Mr Rabbitte said that he did not see Cabinet colleagues "getting involved in second guessing the site".


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Funeral of Galway children killed in crash

In his homily, Fr Martin Gleeson described two-year-old Kate Gilmore and her 12-week-old sister, Grace, as saints in heaven.

Archbishop of Tuam Dr Michael Neary was a concelebrant.

The girls' parents, John and Michelle Gilmore, were supported by their families.

Fr Gleeson said the events of last Sunday had left the community in deep sorrow.

He said "shattered" was the only word to describe the grief generated by the loss of two beautiful children.

Fr Gleeson said John and Michelle had been given a very heavy cross to bear.

Kate and Grace were later buried nearby in Killower Cemetery.


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6,000 cannabis plants found in garda operation

Over 6,000 cannabis plants, with an estimated street value of €5m, have been seized.

An industrial unit in the Blanchardstown area of Dublin has also been raided and equipment for setting up growhouses has been discovered.

Lighting and irrigation systems, along with compost, flower pots and other equipment necessary to set up a growhouse, were seized.

The operation began just after midday when officers from the Garda National Drugs Unit, along with local gardaí from the counties involved, began a series of raids on five industrial premises.

Four large scale cannabis growhouses, each with between 1,500 and 2,000 plants were found in Swinford, Newbridge, Tramore and Ardee.

Five men have been arrested and are now being detained under drug trafficking legislation.

Two men are being held in Ballina, two more in Tramore and the fifth suspect is being questioned in Drogheda.

Gardaí believe they are connected to two separate criminal gangs, one of which was not only operating its own growhouses but also setting them up for other drug trafficking.


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Challenge to book about Gerry Ryan struck out

Music promoter David Kavanagh had taken the action as the book went on sale two weeks ago, claiming it contained defamatory material about him.

In the High Court today, lawyers for Melanie Verwoerd said it was never intended to suggest Mr Kavanagh had behaved in any way inappropriately on 29 April, 2010.

The statement said he was a good and loyal friend to Mr Ryan, and it was he who the broadcaster had turned to for financial assistance when he was under intense pressure before his death.


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HSE issues not covered by Croke Park - IHCA

Written By Unknown on Selasa, 23 Oktober 2012 | 22.40

Martin Varley said the issues relate to patient safety and patient care.

Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, he said that describing them as "working conditions" is not appropriate.

Mr Varley cited the HSE's proposal to reduce days off for consultants from five to two in a 28-day period as an example of one of the issues that does not fall under Croke Park.

The IHCA has refused to appear before a Labour Court hearing this Thursday.

Mr Varley said: "Basically what we have is the HSE throwing two or three issues into the Labour Court which shouldn't be discussed at all.

"They're not covered by Croke Park and in fact there are real concerns about patient safety, patient care and even safety of consultants.

"You can't expect any professional nowadays to be on call every night, every weekend, in additional to their normal work for 26 days out of 28."

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Brendan Howlin has warned consultants that their pay and conditions are only guaranteed as long as they are bound by the Croke Park Agreement.

Speaking on his way into Government Buildings this morning, Mr Howlin said that he expected people who were invited by the Labour Court to turn up and he expected all unions to fully comply with that.

He said he had listened with concern to the views of the consultants and wished to remind them that they were part of a collective agreement that could not be unpicked by either side without agreement.


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Leas Cross director struck off nursing register

Gráinne Paula Conway has been removed from the nursing register following a hearing of the Nursing board's Fitness to Practise Committee which found she failed to ensure residents at Leas Cross received adequate care.

The nursing home was the subject of a 2005 Prime Time Investigates programme which aired allegations of the mistreatment of residents.

The home was subsequently closed.


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90 jobs lost at poultry plant in Co Cavan

Workers were informed yesterday evening that the plant was to close immediately.

The company had tried and failed to sell the business as a going concern.

In a statement, the company said it was "with great regret that we announce that we are left with no alternative other than to request Bank of Ireland to place our business in receivership".

It said its business had become loss-making, citing substantial feed price rises, rising energy costs, poor market prices until recently, and low quality imports.

All of the factors are presenting a grave risk to many players in the entire poultry industry, it added.

Simon Coyle of Mazars has been appointed as the liquidator for the company.

SIPTU's Jim Finnegan said the closure will have a devastating effect on the local community.

He said: "Not only must 90 workers and their families deal with the loss of their livelihoods but more than 25 local growers have also lost their source of income.

"At a brief discussion yesterday I made clear to the liquidator that SIPTU will be seeking the prompt payment of the workers redundancy entitlements."


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Obama strong in foreign policy debate with Romney

US President Barack Obama repeatedly attacked Republican challenger Mitt Romney on foreign policy in their third and final debate.

The high-stakes debate strayed frequently into domestic policy, with Mr Romney seeking to bolster his argument that Mr Obama had bungled the US economic recovery.

Neither man threw a knockout punch or made a noticeable gaffe in the 90-minute encounter, although Mr Obama scored enough debating points to be declared the winner in the first surveys.

A CBS News snap poll declared 53% believed Mr Obama won, versus 23% for Mr Romney and 24% said it was a draw. A CNN poll put Mr Obama as the winner by 48% to 40%.

With foreign policy a low priority in a campaign focused mostly on the economy, it is unclear what impact the debate would have on the race, which enters the final frenzy of campaigning with both men tied in the polls before the 6 November election.

Respondents in the CNN poll were split over whether the debate would influence their votes.

The debate was one last chance for the candidates to appeal to millions of voters watching on television and Mr Obama was the aggressor from start to finish.

He criticised the Republican for lacking ideas on the Middle East, mocked his calls for more ships in the US military and accused Mr Romney of wanting to bring the United States back to a long-abandoned Cold War stance.

"You mentioned the Navy, for example, and that we have fewer ships than we did in 1916," Mr Obama said. "Well, Governor, we also have fewer horses and bayonets, because the nature of our military's changed.

"We have these things called aircraft carriers, where planes land on them. We have these ships that go under water, nuclear submarines," he said.

"The question is not a game of Battleship, where we're counting ships," he said.

He also said the Republican candidate was seeking to turn back the clock by once declaring Russia the top "geopolitical foe" of the US.

Seated at a table with moderator Bob Schieffer, Mr Obama said Mr Romney was trying to return US foreign policy to the 1980s and that the decade was "now calling to ask for their foreign policy back because, you know, the Cold War's been over for 20 years".

Mr Romney said Mr Obama's policies toward the Middle East and North Africa were not stopping a resurgence of the threat from al-Qaeda in the region.

"Attacking me is not an agenda," said Mr Romney. "Attacking me is not how we deal with the challenges of the Middle East."

Mr Romney, wanting to make no mistakes that could blunt his recent rise in the polls, did not take the bait on some occasions when attacked, which may have led viewers to declare Mr Obama the winner.

Although Mr Romney lacks foreign policy experience, his aides said they believed their man's performance allowed him to pass the "commander-in-chief" test to show Americans he is knowledgeable about foreign affairs and enable them to envision him in the Oval Office.

The former Massachusetts governor, whose central theme throughout the campaign has been a promise to rebuild the weak US economy, frequently turned the discussion back to economic matters, saying US national security depended on a strong economy.


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BBC's Entwistle regrets Savile tribute programmes

Mr Entwistle was questioned by a committee of MPs in London about the corporation's decision to shelve a report on sexual abuse claims against the late BBC presenter.

He accepted that the controversy raised issues of trust and described Savile's actions as gravely serious.

He said, however, that he does not accept charges that the BBC badly handled the allegations against the former presenter.

Mr Entwistle was told by BBC director of news Helen Boaden about the Newsnight investigation, which included interviews with Savile's victims, and its possible impact on planned tributes to Savile during an awards lunch on 2 December.

She told Mr Entwistle, who was then director of vision, that if the Newsnight investigation went ahead, he might have to change the Christmas schedules.

Asked today whether the tributes may not have been aired if he raised more questions, he replied: "That's the question I have asked myself and I was trying to find the right balance."

Mr Entwistle said he needed to know whether Newsnight had something that programme bosses thought was "good enough to proceed with".

Asked why he did not ask more questions, he said: "It wasn't because I didn't want to know. What was in my mind was my determination not to show undue interest."

Mr Entwistle told the House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport committee that Savile's activities were "a very, very grave matter indeed".

He said that when the scale and credibility of the allegations came to light, thanks to an ITV investigation, he immediately personally contacted the police.

Mr Entwistle admitted the scandal had raised questions of trust and reputation in the BBC.

"It is a gravely serious matter and one cannot look back at it with anything but horror that his activities went on as long as they did undetected.

"Of course, that is a matter of grave regret to me."

Committee chairman John Whittingdale told Mr Entwistle that the BBC's handling of the affair "is raising very serious questions about potential suppression to avoid embarrassment".

Mr Whittingdale asked him: "Would you accept that this has not been handled well by the BBC in the last few weeks?"

The director general replied: "No, I wouldn't accept that. I would accept that there have been times when we have taken longer to do things than in a perfect world I would have liked.

"But I think if you looked at what we have achieved since the scale of the crisis became clear, I think you see we have done much of what we should have done and done it in the right order and with proper respect paid to the right authorities."

Mr Entwistle's appearance comes the day after the BBC programme Panorama broadcast an investigation into Savile and into the decision to ditch the Newsnight film, at a time when he was head of TV.

Newsnight editor Peter Rippon stepped aside yesterday after the BBC said his explanation of why the show dropped its investigation into Savile was "inaccurate or incomplete".

BBC Inquiry

Mr Entwistle said the inquiry by Nick Pollard, former head of Sky News, into why the Newsnight investigation into Savile was dropped is expected to report back "in weeks".

He admitted a factually inaccurate account of the scandal in a blog by Newsnight editor Peter Rippon, who stepped aside yesterday, had caused embarrassment.

Mr Entwistle said: "If I can take the correction to the blog first, there's no doubt that it is a matter of regret and embarrassment that the version of events recorded in Peter Rippon's blog on October 2 did not turn out to be as accurate as they should have been."

Mr Rippon defended his decision to axe the report in a BBC blog earlier this month but yesterday the corporation issued a correction.

He originally said there was no evidence that staff at the Duncroft approved school could have known about allegations that Savile abused children, but the BBC said: "In fact, some allegations were made (mostly in general terms) that some of the Duncroft staff knew or may have known about the abuse."

Mr Rippon also said the women who spoke to Newsnight journalists had already spoken to police, but the BBC now says that is untrue and Newsnight uncovered new evidence about Savile's alleged crimes.

The corrected blog post said that while no allegations were made that BBC staff were aware of Savile's behaviour, Newsnight did hear allegations of "abusive conduct on BBC premises".


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Decision on Children's Hospital soon - Taoiseach

He said the location of the hospital would be the result of a Government decision.

Fianna Fáil Leader Micheál Martin said the information compiled by the Tánaiste's office on the possible hospital locations highlighted a break down in trust between the Government parties.

However, Mr Gilmore has insisted he and other Labour ministers have trust in Dr Reilly.

He admitted, though, that officials in his office did gather information on the possible locations for the new children's hospital.

Mr Gilmore said this is done to keep him informed and it happens ahead of all major Government decisions.

He said the Dolphin Report is imminent and once the Government has it, it would then sit down to pick the location.

He denied that the information gathered by his staff was "a parallel report" to Dolphin.

Earlier, Minister for Education Ruairi Quinn also rejected reports of a rift between Labour ministers and Minister for Health James Reilly.

Mr Quinn said that relations were good and that Minister Reilly had a difficult job to do.

He was responding to a story in today's Irish Independent suggesting that Eamon Gilmore was carrying out his own research into the location of the new National Children's Hospital.

Mr Quinn said he did not know anything about that and said Mr Gilmore should be asked that himself.

He said a decision on the new hospital would be made by the Cabinet in the next few weeks.

Fianna Fáil Health Spokesman Billy Kelleher claimed that the Tánaiste no longer has confidence in Minister Reilly.

Mr Kelleher said it was obvious that Mr Gilmore was no longer willing to take the Minister for Health at this word.


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