Oliver Hayes (52), of Bandon, Co. Cork, was yesterday convicted of the murder Anne Corcoran in January of last year. The 62-year-old widow was abducted from her home in Kilbrittain and held in Hayes' house where she was beaten to death by Hayes. He used her bank cards to take money from her accounts and eventually dumped her body.

Aer Lingus pilots accept cost-cutting measures

Aer Lingus pilots have voted to accept the cost-cutting measures agreed between their union and management. In a turnout of 80%, just over 80% of those who voted were in favour.

Surplus of 170,000 homes

Researchers at UCD claim that there are 345,000 vacant houses and apartments in the country at present. When holiday homes and temporarily vacant rented properties are discounted, it is believed that there is a surplus of 170,000 homes and apartments across the country.

Children in care are children at risk

Our politicians spent much of yesterday debating the issue of Tracey Fay, who died at the age of 18 while supposedly in the care of social services. It emerged that 23 children have died while in care over the last decade. Some died of natural causes and reports on eight deaths are currently in various stages of completion.

Too many Catholic primary schools - O'Keeffe

Minister for Education Batt O'Keeffe today said that there is a surplus of Catholic primary schools in the country. His department will now identify ten areas where some schools can be closed and it will then be up to the Church to decide which schools will be retained. The Department of Education will then identify an appropriate patron for the remaining schools.

The Catholic Church currently manages 92% of all primary schools.

14 years for abusing son

The 52-year-old man who a week ago was convicted on 47 counts of sexually abusing his son was today jailed for 14 years but with 18 months suspended.

Friday's papers

The three Southern papers all lead with the continuing controversy over the deaths of children in care. The Irish Times has "HSE ordered to speed up reporting details of child deaths"; the Irish Examiner goes with "Deaths of five children in care never reviewed"; and the Irish Independent headline is the stark "Tell us the truth".

The Irish News again focuses on the Knock Golf Club development, this time leading with the reaction to remarks made by the Minister for the Environment; the headline reads "Censure Poots over jibes say residents".

The Weather in Moville

The morning has been bright and mostly sunny, with just the odd drop of rain - not enough to call a shower. Temperature 7C.

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