The US presidential election was the biggest story in the Irish media during the week but a number of local issues also received considerable attention. On the political front the Progressive Democrats no longer exist. At a meeting on Saturday a majority of members accepted the advice of their two TDs and two senators that the party was no longer viable and should be disbanded.

A major cocaine seizure made headlines towards the end of the week when members of the Irish Joint Task Force on Drug Interdiction, comprising the Naval Service, Customs and An Garda Síochána, boarded a 60-foot yacht some 170 miles off the south west coast and seized almost two tonnes of cocaine. Three Englishmen have since appeared in court.

Aer Lingus is threatened with yet another strike and passengers could be left stranded before the end of the month. In their efforts to stem losses at the airline, management is going ahead with a major redundancy programme after SIPTU failed to offer alternative suggestions for reducing staff costs by €50m per year.

At least three violent deaths were reported during the week. The body of a Fermoy man was found in Co. Kerry two days after his family reported him missing, a 57-year-old woman died in a domestic incident in a house in south Co. Dublin, and a young man was shot dead in Limerick city.

Record drug seizure off southwest coast

On Thursday morning, during the hours of darkness, the Naval Service, customs officers and gardaí intercepted a yacht some 170 miles off the south west coast and recovered almost two tonnes of cocaine. Three men were arrested.

The operation was the culmination of a surveillance operation that had continued for a number of months. It is reported that the yacht "Dances with Waves" was purchased in Trinidad and Tobago during the summer for $200k, but was in poor condition and had to be repaired before it took to sea. The drugs then appear to have been loaded somewhere in the Caribbean before the yacht headed across the Atlantic. From the beginning a number of police forces were aware of what was taking place and the vessel was monitored by US satellites, and possibly surveillance aircraft as it made its way towards Spain and then to Irish waters.

En route the yacht was damaged in severe weather and, according to the Irish Independent, was in danger of sinking when it was boarded in a force seven gale. Two Naval Service vessels, the LE Níamh and LE Róisín, were involved in the operation and had on board customs officers and members of the garda drugs squad. While it was still dark a boarding party of trained naval personnel from the LE Níamh used two rigid inflatables to reach the yacht and were on board before the crew of three knew what was happening. There was no resistance.

The three men on board, British nationals aged between 42 and 49, were brought ashore on Thursday. On Saturday night Philip Doo (49) and David Mufford (40), both with addresses in Devon, and Christopher Wiggins (42), with a Spanish address, appeared at a special sitting of Clonakilty District Court where they were charged in connection with the seizure.

The LE Róisín remained at sea to escort the yacht with its cargo of drugs into Castletownbere. It was around 10:00am on Friday before "Dances with Waves" tied up at the pier. After detailed inspections the cocaine was unloaded; in all it had been carrying 75 bales, each weighing 25kg. The 1.875-tonnes cargo is said to be worth at least €500m but depending on the purity of the cocaine could be worth up to twice that figure.

There is no indication that the drugs were destined for this country. The quantity involved suggests that much of the cocaine would have ended up in Britain and the Continent. Allowing the yacht to reach port would probably have resulted in additional arrests so it is probable that the Irish Independent is correct in saying the Naval Service moved in when the yacht was thought to be in danger of sinking. The Maritime Analysis and Operations Centre - Narcotics, (MAOC-N) in Lisbon and Britain's Serious Organised Crime Agency were presumably involved in the decision, as it was they who tipped off the Irish authorities.

The previous largest drugs haul in Ireland took place in July of last year when rescue services found bales of cocaine floating in the sea after responding to a report that a rigid inflatable had overturned at Dunlough Bay in west Cork. On that occasion 62 bales of cocaine worth €440m were recovered and four men arrested.

On the day before this latest seizure one of the four appeared in court and was sentenced to ten years in prison. Gerard Hagan (24), from Liverpool, had been expected to go on trial in July with three co-accused who were convicted and given sentences of between 25 and 30 years. At the end of that trial it was confirmed that Hagan had agreed to plead guilty.

PDs call it a day

Some seven weeks after the Progressive Democrats' four Oireachtas members announced that the party was no longer viable and should be wound up, members met in Mullingar on Saturday and agreed to disband the organisation.

The beginning of the end came with the disastrous performance of the party in the 2007 General Election when the PDs lost six of its eight Dáil seats, including that of party leader Michael McDowell; only Mary Harney and Noel Grealish remained in the new Dáil. An agreement to join the coalition government resulted in the then Taoiseach Bertie Ahern appointing Ciarán Cannon, later to become PD party leader, and Fiona O'Malley to the Seanad as two of his 11 nominees.

The situation for the party deteriorated with widespread rumours that Mr Grealish was planning to resign and rejoin Fianna Fáil. He failed to deny these reports and when the Parliamentary Party met to hear from the Galway West TD they concluded that the party had run its course. A meeting was due to be called within a month but was postponed until Saturday.

Some members had been arguing that the organisation did have a future and the outcome of the Mullingar meeting had been in doubt. Des O'Malley, the founder of the party, did not attend but sent a letter which was read out to the 360-plus members who turned up. He agreed with the view of the leadership that the party no longer had a future. When the matter was put to a vote, 201 voted to disband and 161 wanted to carry on.

One of the first to comment was Taoiseach Brian Cowen who said that all members of the PDs could be proud of their contribution to the democratic process since the party's foundation in 1985. Mary Harney said she planned to remain in the Dáil as an independent TD and would like to continue as Minister for Health. Mr Cowen seemed to signal that her wish would be granted when he said that she continues to have his full support and confidence.

Noel Grealish is expected to apply to join Fianna Fáil but the intentions of the two senators are unclear. It is likely that they will seek to join an existing party and there are rumours that Ciarán Cannon will be talking to Fine Gael. He is based in East Galway where both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have more than enough credible Dáil candidates.

For the record Des O'Malley was accompanied by fellow Fianna Fáil TDs Mary Harney, Bobby Molloy and Pearse Wyse in 1985 when, unhappy with the leadership of Charles Haughey, they decided to form a new party. Among those who joined them at the time were Fine Gael TD Michael Keating and Michael McDowell, who was also associated with Fine Gael. The Progressive Democrats never became a major force in Irish politics but more often than not after subsequent elections had the numbers required by Fianna Fáil to form a coalition Government.

Gardaí investigating three suspicious deaths

Since Thursday gardaí in different parts of the country have had to deal with three suspicious deaths, two of which are being referred to as murder inquiries.

It was reported early in the week that the family of Fermoy man Paul McManus (25) contacted gardaí when he hadn't been heard from since October 30. This prompted a search of Mr McManus' flat on Wellington Road in Cork city where gardaí found blood stains.

It seems to have been quite separate from this investigation that gardaí in north Kerry found a badly beaten body in a field in the Ballyduff area, shortly after 5.30pm on Thursday. The remains were identified as those of Mr McManus.

The discovery came in an unusual way. At lunchtime on Thursday gardaí on routine patrol near Ballyduff noticed a man leaving the field and driving off. For whatever reason the officers pursued him and, when they found that he had no tax or insurance, impounded his car. Whether the car was examined or whether gardaí learned more about the driver and linked him to Mr McManus is not clear but gardaí later returned to the field and found the body. The car driver, who had not been detained, was later arrested at a house in Tralee.

Shortly after 7:30pm on Saturday gardaí responded to a call about a domestic incident in the Willowvale area of Ballybrack in south Dublin. There they found the body of a 57-year-old woman. A 60-year-old man who was arrested at the scene has since been released and a file is being prepared for the DPP.

At around 1:30am on Sunday gardaí in Limerick were called to the Kiltearagh housing estate, in the Dooradoyle area of the city, by residents who heard gunshots. Following a search the body of a young man was found at the rear of a house. He had been shot in the head.

Gardaí have yet to formally identify the victim although locals have named him as Shane Geoghegan (28), a well known player with Garryowen rugby club. There seems to be little doubt that his killing was a case of mistaken identity. One of Limerick's feuding criminal gangs recently attempted to murder a rival in the same area.

Aer Lingus strike threatened

Following the collapse in the talks between SIPTU and Aer Lingus, airline management on Thursday published details of a severance package and early retirement scheme. Staff now have until December 15 to indicate if they are taking redundancy, early retirement or plan to join the outsourcing company which will in future be responsible for their work.

SIPTU had already been balloting its members on a possible strike, claiming that the options had not been agreed with the unions. The result of the ballot was announced on Friday evening ,with the union claiming 80% support for industrial action, although it did not give exact figures nor say how many of its members participated.

A union spokesman said that 14-days' strike notice would be served on the airline in the coming days and a strike could commence before the end of the month. He also urged members to ignore the airline's December 15 deadline although Aer Lingus has indicated that the terms of the offer may not be as attractive after that date.

Aer Lingus is seeking a total of 1,500 redundancies, 1,300 of them from ground staff who are mostly members of SIPTU. The areas targeted are check-in, baggage handling, cargo and catering. The aim is to achieve payroll savings of €50m. When the redundancies were first proposed the board instructed management to engage with the unions to see if the savings could be achieved by changes in work practices. The resultant talks ended in failure more than a week ago.

Huge interest in Obama election

As in other parts of the world there was huge interest in Ireland in the outcome of the US Presidential election and a certain level of satisfaction, among politicians and commentators, with the outcome.

Democrats Abroad in Ireland, which has grown from six to 1,800 members over the past 18 months, staged a major election night party which continued long after the outcome was known.

Once Barack Obama had been confirmed as president-elect, President Mary McAleese sent a message of congratulations to him. In it she said,

"On behalf of the people of Ireland, I wish Senator Obama every good fortune in the most demanding role of President of the United States of America.

"The election of Senator Obama was transformational in its power and scope, and serves as a beacon of hope, not just in America, but around the world, particularly in these turbulent times of anxiety and uncertainty. I hope he will be successful in charting a new and dynamic course for America in what will inevitably be a challenging and crucially important period in office".

Taoiseach Brian Cowen also offered his congratulations and at the same time invited the President-elect to visit the home of his ancestors in Moneygall, Co. Offaly, which happens to be in Mr Cowen's constituency.

While the links to Moneygall have been established there is now a race to locate the home of the ancestors of the future vice president, Joe Biden. His mother was a Finnegan and efforts are being made to link her with both Derry city and Co. Louth.

More serious issues are causing concern, however. There is no indication that the undocumented Irish in the US will be any better off with Barack Obama in the White House, than they were during President Bush's tenure. In addition the president-elect has indicated that he plans to remove some of the tax benefits enjoyed by US corporations with overseas operations. Any changes could have a direct effect on the level of foreign direct investment in Ireland and is something of which Taoiseach Brian Cowen is very conscious.

Bits and Pieces

Lights go on early to encourage shoppers

Yesterday Lord Mayor of Dublin Eibhlin Byrne switched on the city's Christmas lights in the hope of attracting shoppers to the city centre. The lights, on which the council and business people have spent more than €1m this year, are not usually turned on until the beginning of December but the Mayor is urging "civic patriotism" to shoppers.

As one letter-writer to the Irish Times points out, the authorities have neglected "civic patriotism" themselves by erecting a French-designed tree of lights on O'Connell Street.

Smithfield horse fair to remain

Residents of Ballymun and Finglas have successfully raised objections to becoming the new site for the long-standing horse fair at present held in Smithfield. The monthly event will continue in the city centre as attempts by Dublin City Council to relocate the fair on health and safety grounds have been thwarted by an ancient market right. The council will continue to search for an alternative site for the traders.

Contract negotiations to delay prison opening

Delays in contract negotiations with the preferred tenderer have been cited as the reason for a delay of at least two years in the opening of Thornton Hall prison in north Co. Dublin. The consortium of Michael McNamara Construction, Barclays Private Equity and GSL, was confirmed in May of last year but no contract has yet been signed. It is now expected that the prison, the biggest in Britain and Ireland, will not be completed before 2012 at the earliest.

Concern about fuel prices in Ireland

The National Consumer Agency has confirmed what was widely believed, that the pre-tax price of fuel oils in Ireland is higher than elsewhere. The average price of a litre of petrol in Ireland is 11% above the EU average. For diesel the differential is 20% and for home heating oil it is 13%.

The NCA is investigating the differences and will report to Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Mary Coughlan by Christmas.

Pere Charles' modifications contributed to sinking

An inquiry into the sinking of the fishing vessel the Pere Charles, with the loss of five lives, in January 2007 found that modifications to the vessel were a contributory cause of the sinking. Legislation, which has subsequently been amended, meant that stability tests were not carried out on the vessel after a series of modifications between 2001 and 2006.

The Marine Casualty Investigation Board also recommended port training courses to include information on the dangers associated with modifying fishing vessels.

New initiative in Corrib gas dispute

Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs Éamon Ó Cuív and Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Éamon Ryan have jointly established what is being referred to as a community forum for development in north west Mayo. This is yet another attempt to find a solution to the ongoing dispute about the location of a gas terminal to process the gas from the Corrib gas field. The new body will be chaired by Joe Brosnan, a former secretary of the Department of Justice.

It is not clear if the Ministers actually believe anything can be achieved or if they just want to be seen to be doing something. Construction of the terminal at Bellinaboy is already at an advanced stage and Shell has no plans to suspend work.

ABP chairman criticises "courtroom histrionics" at hearings

John O'Connor, chairman of An Bord Pleanála, has criticised the "courtroom histrionics" engaged in by lawyers taking part in ABP hearings, which he believes have contributed to the present backlog. Mr O'Connor made his remarks when questioned about the date of the decision on the plans for the Jurys/Berkeley Court site in Ballsbridge.

Another one up for senior citizens

One car-hire company has had to abandon its restrictions on renting cars to elderly drivers, and others are expected to follow suit. When Australian Christian Brother Anthony White hired a car from Irish Car Rentals in 2006, he was already over 70 and had to pay an additional €25 per day rental. He was also told that no car would be made available to him when he reached the age of 75.

Br Anthony took the matter to the Equality Authority and has since received a refund. Irish Car Rentals have also abandoned the age limit and will base decisions on hiring cars on the ability to drive. Having car insurance will be a significant factor in making the decision.

Snippets:

Latvians gathered at the European Parliament information office in Dublin last weekend to welcome President Valdis Zatlers, who was on a State visit to Ireland. They were also celebrating the 90th anniversary of the establishment of their country.

The clubhouse and adjoining buildings at Muskerry Golf Club near Blarney in Co. Cork were destroyed by fire last Sunday night. The cause of the fire is still under investigation but it may have been due to an electrical fault.

The trawler Rachel D rescued three men from a second trawler which sank off the coast near Killybegs, Co. Donegal early on Tuesday. The Shaun Shaun was taking on herring when it began to fill with water.

Three men in their 20s were detained and €150k worth of heroin was seized following a search of a house in the Clondalkin area of Dublin on Wednesday afternoon.

Armistice Day was commemorated at a number of locations across Ireland yesterday, although mainly in the North. In Dublin, however, President Mary McAleese attended a special ecumenical service at St Patrick's Cathedral.

Ireland Today: The Old Ireland is still with us

The comforting fact that the old Ireland is still with us was proven on an early morning bus journey from Galway to Dublin Airport last week. An elderly English couple boarded the bus at Ballinasloe as the car that had delivered them drove away. Almost immediately the woman realised she had left her handbag, containing money, passports and flight tickets, in the car, and she had no mobile number for the driver.

Without too much persuasion the bus driver undertook to follow the car down the Shannonbridge road, although he had some reservations about being able to turn on a narrow country road. Eventually the car responded to flashing headlights, the man retrieved his wife's handbag, and the bus driver reversed the vehicle until he found a suitable place for turning. The general feeling among the passengers was, "It could only happen in Ireland".

National Lottery Winning Numbers:

Wed: 15, 23, 31, 32, 36, 39 (44) - the jackpot of €7.28m was not won.
Sat: 11, 15, 18, 36, 38, 40 (28) - the jackpot of €8.27m was not won.

Northern News

Fires destroy two clubhouses and two Orange halls in Co. Tyrone

It is believed that an arson attack was responsible for a fire which totally destroyed the Burndennett Cricket Club near Strabane, Co. Tyrone on Saturday of last week. The fire appears to have been started at an oil tank before spreading to the main building.

Two Co. Tyrone Orange halls 15 miles apart were also damaged last weekend in separate attacks. The door of the hall on Ballinderry Bridge Road in Coagh, near Cookstown, was forced open and a fire set inside the hall, while a similar attack was carried out on the hall in Mulnagore outside Pomeroy, this time with the use of a chainsaw to gain entry.

Another fire was reported at 5:00am on Saturday. On this occasion the Edendork GAA clubhouse, near Dungannon, was completely destroyed.

Man arrested over Larne death

A 28-year-old man was taken in for questioning to the PSNI's Serious Crime Suite in Antrim in relation to the discovery of the body of Kenneth Nicholl (28) in Larne last weekend. The father of one, who was found in the loyalist Boyne Square area of the town, had been stabbed several times.

The suspect remains in custody and over the weekend a woman was also arrested, on suspicion of withholding information.

Paisley jnr calls fellow board member "a ghastly woman"

Ian Paisley jnr, addressing the DUP conference last weekend, referred to his fellow Police Board member Martina Anderson as "a ghastly woman" and said he would like to see her "Tasered". Mr Paisley was referring to the Taser gun which discharges 50,000 volts of electricity to subdue its targets, and the introduction of which has been vehemently opposed by Ms Anderson, who is Sinn Féin assembly member for Foyle.

Man to answer charge in relation to friend of Thomas Devlin

While no one has yet been charged in relation to the murder of Thomas Devlin (15), who was stabbed in 2005, a man is now to stand trial on a charge of attempting grievous bodily harm on Thomas's friend, Jonathan McKee. Nigel Brown (25), who has been remanded in custody, will also face charges of assaulting police officers during his arrest.

Christmas comes early to Ballymena

Ballymena has stolen a two-week march on other towns in the North by having its festive lights switched on seven weeks before Christmas. The town's DUP mayor, Maurice Mills, performed the official turning on of the lights on Friday of last week, November 4. They were turned off temporarily during the Remembrance ceremony yesterday.

Refusal to withdraw remarks leads to MLA's suspension

The refusal by Nelson McCausland of the DUP to withdraw allegations made against Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams at Stormont on Tuesday led to his suspension from the Stormont Assembly for one day.

Mr McCausland had claimed that Gerry Adams had been the leader of the IRA in Belfast in the 1970s when alleged informers were killed and that the Sinn Féin president would therefore know the location of some of the "disappeared". The allegation, which was strenuously denied by Mr Adams, was considered unparliamentary by the Speaker, William Hay.

Another delay in Bloody Sunday Inquiry

Chairman of the Bloody Sunday Inquiry Lord Saville has told the families of the victims that he intends to hand his report to the Secretary of State late next year. Since it is now four years since the closing speeches were heard the families have called on the inquiry chairman to give reasons for the delay. Secretary of State Shaun Woodward has already expressed his disappointment in the further delay in completing the report.

Death of former RUC Chief Constable

The death has taken place of Sir John Hermon, who was Chief Constable of the RUC throughout most of the 1980s, when the troubles were at their most intense. The 79-year-old had been suffering from Alzheimer's for a number of years. He is survived by his wife Lady Sylvia Hermon, the UUP's only MP at Westminster.

Other News:

Caoimhe Kerr (22) from Magherafelt died on Thursday evening after being knocked down by a van as she alighted from a bus. The accident happened at the Castldawson roundabout in the Co. Derry town.

While 85 miles of the Dublin to Derry road south of the Border has already been upgraded, a preferred route for the 55-mile stretch in the North has now been announced. The road from Derry to Aughnacloy via Strabane and Omagh will be made a dual-carriageway, and consultation on the plans is due to begin next year.

A school bus which was in a collision with a truck crashed through the hedge of a house on Finaghy Road North in Belfast on Friday. There were no schoolchildren on the bus at the time and the bus driver was taken to hospital with a broken leg.

The Courts

DPP appeal leads to longer sentence

An appeal by the DPP on the grounds of undue leniency has led to an increased sentence of ten years being imposed on Polish national Leszek Jarosz (22). Jarosz had pleaded guilty to causing serious harm to and attempting to rob journalist Mairéad O'Dwyer in May of last year in an incident during which he stabbed her in the neck, causing critical injuries. On the same night he attempted to rob two other people, and had originally been given a seven-year sentence.

Six-year sentence for woman who plotted triple murder

Sharon Collins was sentenced to six years in jail for plotting to murder her partner, Clare businessman PJ Howard, and his two sons. In an unusual twist Mr Howard read out a victim impact statement at the Central Criminal Court in which he pleaded with the judge for a non-custodial sentence for Collins. He has vowed to continue to support her and has said he would have no hesitation in living with her again.

Collins hired hitman Essam Eid to carry out the killings and he also received a six-year sentence for extortion; he was found guilty of attempting to extort €100k from Robert Howard to call off the contract killing.

This case attracted enormous publicity throughout the trial and again at the sentencing hearing. Much of the evidence was extracted from computers as Collins used the Internet to source a potential hitman and corresponded with him via email.

Suspended sentence for Revenue employee

A former employee of the Revenue Commissioners was given a two-year suspended sentence when she pleaded guilty at Cork Circuit Criminal Court on Tuesday to 48 offences of deception and dishonest use of her computer. Michelle Twomey (32) from Grenagh, Co. Cork, had made a series of false claims leading to tax rebates and a reduction in tax liabilities, which led to Revenue suffering a loss of €108k. Those to benefit were Ms Twomey herself, members of her family, and neighbours.

Twomey had repaid the €108k prior to being charged.

Drunk driver who killed two tourists jailed for eight years.

John Cash (27) from Tallaght was jailed for eight years after he pleaded guilty to drunken driving causing the deaths of two French women. In May of last year Martine Talon (54) and Martine Liotard (53) had just checked into their hotel on Kylemore Road, Ballyfermot, at the start of a brief holiday, and had gone out for a walk before retiring for the night when they were hit by Cash's car.

Cash had 27 previous convictions for dangerous driving and had been banned from driving for 20 years. Prior to losing control of his car at 87kph on the Kylemore Road he had consumed 14 cans of cider and a bottle of whiskey. When gardaí arrived on the scene he had climbed into the back seat of the car and claimed that the driver had run off.

Relatives of the victims were upset at what they considered a very lenient sentence.

Ten years for Cork man on three charges

William Kenny (32), from Gurranabraher in Cork, received a ten-year sentence at Cork Circuit Criminal Court on Wednesday after being found guilty of false imprisonment, robbery and attempted robbery. Kenny tied up a staff member at the National Association Ovulation Method Ireland offices in Cork last year before making off with €400. He further stole several thousand euro from a shop in Ballyvolane, and attempted to rob the post office at Ballyvolane earlier this year.

Motorbike victim awarded €5m, but judge criticises system

In awarding motorcycle victim David McCullagh (30) of Crosshaven, Cork €5m in damages, Justice John Quirke also criticised the method of compensation in the State, saying that the British system was much better. There, periodic payments are made rather than there being one large settlement.

Mr McCullagh received head injuries when the motorcycle on which he was a passenger hit an earthen bank in Ovens, Co. Cork in June 2006. He is permanently in a wheelchair and also has some intellectual disability.

Knife incident in park leads to €3,000 compensation payment

Anthony Fitzgerald (23), of Gloucester Place in Dublin, was ordered to pay €3k in compensation when he was found guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on Friday of puncturing a park ranger's bicycle wheel. The incident occurred in the Phoenix Park when Fitzgerald got into an altercation with a young couple over a football. Before puncturing the tyre he had swung the knife at both the park ranger and the young man. The park ranger received €1,000 while €2,000 was awarded to the young couple.

Other cases:

Once again fugitive solicitor Michael Lynn failed to give evidence via video-link at the High Court hearing on Tuesday into a case against First Active taken by a former client of Lynn. One last attempt will be made to hear evidence from Lynn, who is supposed to travel to London from Portugal for the hearing.

Dublin City Council is taking legal proceedings against 20 property developers who have failed to pay levies for the provision of water, roads and sewerage on their respective sites. City Manager John Tierney informed councillors that he had written a total of 50 warning letters to builders who have failed to pay their contributions.

In Court on Tuesday Natasha Kelly (22), of Shannon Harbour, Co. Offaly, withdrew a claim for damages for a back injury which she claimed she sustained in a car crash in 2003. Her decision came after the court saw a video of her dancing in high heels while on holiday in Turkey.

The 14-year-old driver of a car who was stopped by gardaí in Limerick was found to be carrying a knife and wearing a bullet-proof vest. The boy, who was sentenced to six months detention, told the court he was at risk of being shot.

Employment & Industrial Relations

Live Register tops 250,000

The number of people out of work at the end of October reached 251,951, an increase of 11,734 on the previous month. Seasonally adjusted the increase was 15,800 and the unemployment rate is now 6.7%.

The last time the Live Register topped 250,000 was back in 1997 but today there are many more people in the workforce.

Construction commences on Merck Sharp & Dohme's Carlow plant

It was reported on Monday that pharmaceutical company Merck Sharpe and Dohme will create 170 jobs at a new vaccine facility in Carlow. The original announcement was made exactly a year ago but the story was again news as Taoiseach Brian Cowen was in Carlow for the commencement of construction work on the new plant. More than 300 people will be employed in the construction phase over the next 18 months.

The €200m investment will bring the company's total Irish workforce to over 700 within the next four years. MSD currently employs more than 460 people at its two facilities at Clonmel, Co. Tipperary and Leopardstown in Dublin.

Stephen Pearce company closes

The Stephen Pearce pottery company in Shanagarry, Co. Cork closed with immediate effect last weekend with the loss of 25 jobs. The pottery was established in 1960 by Philip and Lucy Pearce, the parents of the present owner. The business is another victim of the current recession.

Marriott expands Cork call centre

Marriott International Inc. is to establish its second operation in Cork, creating 220 new jobs over the next five years. The new call centre will be responsible for handling reservations and customer inquiries for Marriott's more than 3,100 hotels for calls originating from Ireland, Britain and Continental Europe. The new centre will be located in a 10,400 square feet facility in the Blackpool area of the city.

Another 65 jobs to go in Limerick

Banta Global Turnkey is seeking 65 voluntary redundancies at its Raheen Industrial Estate base in Limerick. The company, which is a major supplier to Dell, at one time employed 700 people in the city.

Later it was confirmed that contract electronics manufacturer Flextronics is seeking 118 redundancies at its Limerick facility. The company employs 290 and is also a supplier of Dell.

55 jobs go at Shannon pharmaceutical company

Schwarz Pharma, the Shannon-based company which manufactures products for cardiovascular disease and incontinence, has announced a voluntary redundancy programme which will see the loss of 55 jobs. The company, which has recently launched a product for the treatment of Parkinson's disease, expects the programme to be completed by the end of March.

Redundancy for solicitors and architects

Fifteen trainee solicitors at BCM Hanby Wallace in Dublin have been told they will not be offered permanent jobs when they finish their training, while 30 trainee solicitors at LK Shields have been told they will have to take a pay cut or their number would have to be reduced. In addition, Dublin architects HKR made 20 staff redundant on Friday, following a large number of redundancies earlier in the year. Both professions have been hard hit by the slump in the property market.

135 jobs lost in Co. Galway

It was announced on Friday that engineering company APW is to close its plant in Oranmore, Co. Galway with the loss of 135 jobs. The sheet metal fabrication company, which was established some 30 years ago, has been experiencing trading difficulties associated with the current economic downturn.

Politics & Politicians

Cross-border meeting on smuggling

A meeting to strengthen cross-border co-operation in fighting crime took place on Tuesday in Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh. Attending the meeting were the Garda Commissioner and the Chief Constable of the PSNI, as well as Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern and Northern Security Minister Paul Goggins.

Fuel smuggling and laundering cost an estimated £260m in lost revenue from 2005 to 2006, while alcohol worth almost £500k was seized in the first six months of this year. Also taking part in the meeting were Customs officials, the Revenue Commissioners and the Assets Recovery Agency.

EC takes Ireland to task over deficit

The European Commission has opened an excessive deficit procedure against the Irish Government for the sharp deterioration in our public finances which have led to a breach in the rules on borrowing.

The Commission forecast that Ireland, whose economy will contract this year and next, will see the biggest increase in its deficit, from 5.5% this year to 6.8% next year and 7.2% in 2010.

Under the EU stability and growth pact, EU states are required to keep their budget deficit to GDP ratio below a 3% limit and maintain a debt/GDP ratio below 60%. Under the terms of the pact, a government which fails to bring its deficit below the 3% ceiling over three or four years is subject to fines.

Ganley confirms registration as European political party

Declan Ganley, the leader of anti-Lisbon Treaty group Libertas, has confirmed that his organisation has registered as a European political party, and has acknowledged that the pan-European party will need to have a significant number of candidates in next year's elections.

Mr Ganley is setting up the party in order to offer other EU states the opportunity to vote on the Lisbon Treaty, and believes the new party will need candidates in at least seven or eight EU states to be viable.

Possible legal challenge to Civil Partnership Bill

Remarks made by Cardinal Seán Brady with regard to the planned Civil Partnership Bill have led to speculation that the Bill might be subject to a legal challenge when the legislation is published; the Bill is due to come into law next year. Cardinal Brady has said that the recognition of cohabiting and same-sex couples with regard to pensions, inheritance and tax is "perhaps the greatest revolution in the history of the Irish family".

Fine and disqualification for Cork TD

Christy O'Sullivan, Fianna Fáil TD for Cork South West, was fined €300 and disqualified from driving for 12 months when he pleaded guilty to a charge of drink-driving at Clonakilty District Court on Tuesday. Mr O'Sullivan, of Clonakilty, Co. Cork, was subject to a mandatory breath-test on the evening of June 2 this year.

FG leader queries HSE response to "unusual" request

In the Dáil on Wednesday Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny queried the Health Service Executive response to a request from an employee that his pay for 2009 be reduced by 5% as an "act of patriotism". The HSE asked for further clarification of the request, a response which Mr Kenny described as "nonsensical", pointing out that the HSE managers will be awarding themselves bonuses. Taoiseach Brian Cowen said he would look into the matter.

Senator criticises RTÉ's puppet duo

Criticism by Fianna Fáil Senator Jim Walsh of the RTÉ puppet duo Podge and Rodge did not meet with much sympathy from fellow politicians. Senator Walsh was speaking to RTÉ director Cathal Goan when he appeared before the committee on Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, and complained of the sexual connotations evident in the programme. However both Fine Gael's Michael Darcy and Liz McManus of Labour dismissed his complaints, with Mr Darcy accusing him of being too conservative.

Fianna Fáil TD claims media bias

Fianna Fáil TD Noel Treacy on Thursday attacked RTÉ, and the media in general, over what he described as bias and unethical practices. Speaking during a debate on the Broadcasting Bill, the Galway East TD argued that much of the controversy over the Budget was media generated. Left wing elements had, he claimed, been given undue exposure and were overrepresented on various news and current affairs programmes.

Settlement in Yates and Higgins libel case

The libel case taken by Fine Gael MEP Jim Higgins and former agriculture minister Ivan Yates, against the Sunday Independent, was settled on Thursday. The two men had taken the case against the paper following two articles in 2004 alleging that they were British M15 agents; the allegations were originally made by an alleged IRA informer known as Kevin Fulton. Mr Higgins and Mr Yates were each awarded €100k with costs, and an apology from the Sunday Independent was read out in court.

Taoiseach in Brussels for EU summit

Taoiseach Brian Cowen travelled to Brussels on Friday to take part in a meeting of EU leaders aimed at finding solutions to the current global financial crisis. This is the fourth time the community's 27 Prime Ministers have met in the past eight weeks.

Health

Cervical cancer vaccine on hold

Minister for Health Mary Harney announced on Tuesday that due to budgetary constraints the HSE will not go ahead with a plan to offer free vaccine to all 10- to12-year-olds. The programme has been put on hold until better times.

The vaccine provides protection against a virus which causes cervical cancer and was due to be introduced in the autumn of 2009. The concentration will now be on providing free smear tests for women between 25 and 60.

It was later reported that the Health Service Executive had asked for a postponement until 2010 for logistical purposes.

Report published on cancer misdiagnosis

On Tuesday the HSE published the results of a review of 5,835 x-rays and 67 CT scans assessed by a locum consultant at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda and Our Lady's Hospital in Navan, between August 2006 and August 2008.

The review, undertaken after some serious errors had occurred, shows that the elderly consultant had failed to detect lung cancer in nine patients. Eight have since died and at least one would have had a 60% chance of recovery had the cancer been detected in time. Five others would have had a lesser chance, while for the other two the condition had already progressed too far.

Travel & Tourism

Kerry airport a victim of Budget cutbacks

The capping of grant aid to the six regional airports at €11m for next year has led to the postponement of a new terminal building at Kerry airport; the present facilities can comfortably handle just 30% of current passenger numbers. Originally the six airports were to share some €86m on safety measures and development under the Transport 21 grants scheme. Money is now only available for safety work and projects already started.

Ryanair remains in profit

Ryanair on Monday announced half year profits of €215m, 47% down on last year's interim profits. Traffic grew by 19% to 32 million and total revenues grew by 16% to €1.811bn. The main factor in the reduced profitability was the cost of fuel, which more than doubled from €392.7m to €788.5m.

Shannon Airport Authority releases US troop figures

Figures released by the Shannon Airport Authority show that in the first nine months of this year some 200,000 US troops passed through the airport. The numbers are down on last year although figures for the third quarter, at 63,400, are up on the 57,700 recorded in the second quarter.

The Irish Abroad

Death of Carndonagh man in Spanish canal

Seán McDaid (35) from Carndonagh, Co. Donegal, died on Friday of last week after falling into a canal in Majorca. Mr McDaid, a plasterer, had arrived on the island three days earlier with his wife and their three children to celebrate his wife's birthday.

Major increase in deportations from the US

A general increase in deportations of illegal immigrants in the US has seen a significant rise in the numbers of Irish people being sent home. While 41 were deported two years ago, and 53 in 2007, to date this year a total of 58 have been deported for immigration violations. The figures have been released by Irish consulates in the US and among reasons cited for the increase are greater co-operation between government agencies and stricter enforcement.

Diaspora TV part of RTÉ cutbacks

As part of cutbacks totalling more than €50m next year to avoid a deficit RTÉ has abandoned plans to broadcast Diaspora TV to Britain via Freesat; this move will save some €2m a year.

Kildare woman drowns in Australia

Niamh Conlon (29), from Ballytore, Co. Kildare, drowned in a swimming pool in the Australian city of Cairns on Wednesday. Ms Conlon, who recently graduated from Athlone Institute of Technology, had been just three days in the country when the accident occurred.

Defence witnesses admitted in Italian hit-and-run case

At a hearing into the prosecution of Freidrich Vernarelli (32), accused of the manslaughter of Marie Collins and Elizabeth Gubbins in Rome last March, the judge ruled on the admissibility of witnesses. Judge Anna Maria Pazienza adjourned the case until December 19 after admitting as defence witnesses the two other occupants of the car, Hungarians Zsolt Balogh and Andras Korzma, and US witness to the incident Manuel Ritz. Judge Pazienza also admitted as trial witnesses members of the Collins and Gubbins families.

Vernarelli, who originally accepted responsibility, has pleaded not guilty, saying he was so drunk that he didn't know what happened. It is now his contention that he was too drunk to drive and that one of the Hungarians was behind the wheel.

Conservation & The Environment

Bullaun residents campaign to retain ancient stone

Plans to relocate the 2,000-year-old Turoe Stone from Bullaun near Loughrea in Co. Galway to the Galway City Museum are being opposed by the members of the Turoe Historical Society. The three-foot high granite monument was originally located at Kiltullagh and was moved to Bullaun 150 years ago. The society members believe it can be protected from the weather at its present site rather than being removed from Bullaun.

Geothermal energy viable for Dublin

Addressing the Geothermal Association of Ireland's annual conference in Kilkenny on Wednesday, geothermal contractor Pádraig Hanley reported on tests carried out at Newcastle, Co. Dublin on the extraction of heat from below ground. He revealed that early results indicate that 10,000 homes in the area could benefit from geothermal heating, extracted from depths of 4,000m to 5,000m.

Shallow geothermal heating has been used on individual houses and single developments to date, but extraction from a greater depth could, it is estimated, provide 15% of hot water and heating in Dublin.

Ministers row over bovine emissions

Minister for the Environment John Gormley has criticised Agriculture Minister Brendan Smith's remarks at a Teagasc conference on meeting EU emission targets. Minister Gormley had suggested that the 20% reduction could be met in part by reducing cattle numbers, while Minister Smith believes this would just mean that beef from other countries would replace Irish beef. Friends of the Earth has called for a climate change law to be introduced into this country to enable us to meet the EU target.

Education

Education minister in meetings with US computer companies

Minister for Education Batt O'Keeffe has had a series of meetings with US computer companies Hewlett Packard, Microsoft and Apple, and has plans to meet with Dell, Intel and Lenovo, in an attempt to establish a partnership between the companies and the State's schools. The move is aimed at the provision of computer hardware to schools in response to concern about the attention paid to Information and Communications Technology in Irish schools at present.

Entertainment & The Arts

Rare book on display

A book published in London in 1535, which has lain undiscovered in the Law Library for 200 years, was put on display on Monday. The text by Cicero, "On Old Age - De Senectute", was found by Professor Colum Kenny, rebound with another Cicero text, while he was researching a lecture he delivered in the King's Inns Library during the week. The book is one of only 11 surviving copies.

Elton John for Thomond Park

The first concert to be played at the new Thomond Park stadium in Limerick will feature Elton John. The singer will be appearing at the €40m stadium on June 6, with 20,000 tickets going on sale.

Nell McCafferty portrait in RHA exhibition

Among the exhibits at this year's Royal Hibernian Academy annual exhibition is a nude portrait of journalist Nell McCafferty. The portrait is the work of American Daniel Mark Duffy, professor of art at Paier College in Connecticut.

Deaths

Death of Irish showjumper

The death has been reported of showjumper Benny Kuehnle, who represented Ireland at this year's European Young Riders' Championships in Prague. He was aged 20 and was considered one of the country's brightest prospects.

Road deaths in Counties Louth, Tipperary and Donegal

The motorcyclist who lost his life in a collision with a truck at Beamore Road, Drogheda, Co. Louth last Saturday was named as Barry Murphy (27) of Dundalk, Co. Louth.

Christian Martin, of Templemore, Co Tipperary was killed shortly before 9:00am on Wednesday when he was struck by a truck while walking at Cuchulainn Road, Thurles.

Three men from south Donegal died in a collision between a car and a van on the Ballyshannon to Donegal town road at around 10:30am yesterday. The 17-year-old driver was the only occupant of the car. One of the victims in the van has been named as Councillor PJ Branley, the Sinn Féin Mayor of Ballyshannon.

Business News

More bank data lost

The loss of a USB computer memory device containing details of 894 customers of the Bank of Ireland is being investigated by the Data Protection Commissioner and separately by the bank. Most of those affected have already been contacted and have been assured that the material is not financially sensitive.

The memory device contained the names of customers from all over the country, the first lines of their addresses and their account numbers.

AIB releases gloomy forecast

An interim management statement released by AIB on Wednesday morning prompted a fall in the bank's share price. It dropped by more than 9% in early trading but actually closed up 1.4%

A gloomy forecast talked of an increase in the provision for bad debts, much reduced profits, no dividend for shareholders and no "meaningful recovery" in the residential market until 2011. The earnings per share forecast for the current year is now €1.20, compared with a previous forecast of between €1.80 and €1.90; analysts had predicted around €1.70.

What eventually encouraged investors was the statement that the bank would only raise equity capital as a last resort.

ECB cuts lending rate

After the European Central Bank cut its lending rate by half a percentage point to 3.25%, its lowest level for two years, most mortgage lending companies operating in Ireland quickly responded by confirming that they would pass on the cut in full, some by as early as December 1.

Mortgage holders in the North will also benefit as on the same day the Bank of England slashed its rate from 4.5% to 3%. Banks there, however, had to be persuaded by the British Government to pass the cut on to clients.

Speculation about Dunnes Stores' future

Throughout the week there has been speculation that Dunnes Stores is about to be sold to the British-based Asda Group, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Walmart. It was reported that management was being brought together on Thursday for a major announcement but a spokesman for Dunnes refused to comment.

Later we heard that the group was reviewing its property portfolio and that this may lead to the closure of some outlets.

Weather

Fog was a feature of the mornings on the first three days of the week. Rain then became a problem although sometimes it turned to very heavy hail and left the ground white for a time.

Heavy showers, some of hail, will be a feature of the next three days. By Thursday temperatures should again reach double figures and the rain will be less frequent and lighter. That should set the scene for the following few days.

Latest Temperatures: Day 4C (39F).................Night 8C (46F)

S P O R T

G.A.A.

Leinster Club SFC Quarter-Final

Rhode 2-9 Portlaoise 1-10
Kilmacud Crokes 1-13 Newtown Blues 1-9

Ulster Club SFC Quarter-Final

Crossmaglen 0-13 St Patrick's 0-6

Munster Club SFC Quarter-Final

Nemo Rangers 2-12 Kerins O'R's 1-12

Connacht Club SFC Quarter-Final

Castlerea 0-8 Corofin 1-14
Ballaghadereen 0-9 Eastern Harps 0-12

Leinster Club SHC Quarter-Final

Birr 1-17 Ballyboden St Enda's 0-8

Waterford Club SHC Final

Abbeyside 0-9 de la Salle 0-11

Wicklow SHC Final Replay

Carnew 0-10 Glenealy 2-10

Soccer

Eircom Premier Division

    St Pat’s Ath. 0    Cork City 1
    Bray Wand. 4    Drogheda Utd 3
    Cork City 0    Sligo Rovers 0
    Galway Utd 3    Finn Harps 0
    St Patrick’s A 2    UCD 0
    Shamrock Rovers 1    Derry City 1
    Cobh Ramb. 0    Bohemians 2

Rugby

Rugby League World Cup

Ireland 34 Samoa 16

International

Ireland 55 Canada 0

AIB Cup Second Round

Nenagh O 15 Barnhall 3

Golf

The HSBC Championship in Shanghai was interrupted by rain over the weekend and will resume on Monday. Graeme McDowell is the best of the Irish on –6, sharing tenth place and six shots behind the leader. Pádraig Harrington and Peter Lawrie are a shot further back. Damien McGrane is on –4 with Darren Clarke is on seven-over.

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