A 22-year old man was last night charged with the murder of his grandfather. Gearoid Fahy, Carrownamona, Ardrahan, Co Galway appeared before a special sitting of Ennis District Court charged with the murder of 78-year old Finbar Fahy at Ballinduff, Ardrahan last Tuesday.

Detective Inspector Gerry Roche told Judge Joespeh Mangan that he arrested Fahy at 5.16pm yesterday at Gort Garda Station and that he at 5.36pm he charged him with the murder of Finbar Fahy.

In reply, Fahy said: "I am just sorry for what I have done. And I am sorry for all the people I have hurt."

Judge Mangan remanded the accused in custody to appear before Shannon District Court next Thursday

'We're living beyond means': Cowen

Taoiseach Brian Cowen told the Fianna Fail National Youth Conference in Bundoran yesterday that the next two years will not be any easier than the past 18 months.

"I want to be frank with you," he said. "Ireland's economic problems are serious and severe... The last 18 months have been very difficult and the next two years will not be any easier," Mr Cowen warned.

"The biggest crisis for the State is the public finances. We are living way beyond our means and we must pull back. There is no option to do otherwise."

Flatley to re-arrange prince's visit

A PROPOSED visit by Prince Albert of Monaco to Co Cork next year has been postponed -- and now dancer Michael Flatley will be asked to help re-arrange a new date.

Prince Albert II, 51, whose mother, Princess Grace, was a regular visitor to Ireland, had been provisionally scheduled to visit Dublin, Co Kildare and Co Cork next May as part of his first-ever official Irish trip.

Monaco's Consul to Ireland confirmed that, for unexplained reasons, the prince will not be able to visit. It is now hoped that Flatley may help reschedule it.

Loyalists protest over prison searches

Police were called to Maghaberry Prison yesterday after angry Loyalists barricaded the entrance in protest over a continuing search at the top-security jail. Vehicles were driven to the main entrance of the Co Antrim jail before lunchtime yesterday and abandoned forcing Prison Officers to remain inside during their lunch break.

Unconfirmed reports early yesterday afternoon suggested that a viable bomb device had been found in gardens within the huge complex and that mercury tilt switches were found in a laundry.

Throughout three days of searching the Northern Ireland Prison Service has refused to comment on articles found during the inch-by-inch search.

No winner of last night's Lotto

THERE was no winner of last night's €2m Lotto jackpot. The numbers were 15, 16, 18, 26, 37, 40 (bonus 5).

There was one Match 5+bonus winner of €25,000; 50 Match 5s (€1,743 ); 138 Match 4+bonus (€158); 2,131 Match 4s (€63); 3,515 Match 3+bonus (€25 ); and 38,136 Match 3s (€5). The Lotto Plus 1 numbers were 5, 8, 12, 15, 39, 44 (bonus 26 ). The Lotto Plus 2 numbers were 11, 21, 29, 33, 41, 42 (bonus 26 ).

And in the UK draw for an estimated stg £4.6m prize, the numbers were 1, 5, 9, 20, 23, 39 (bonus 38 ).

Postman on trial for murder of family

A Kilkenny postman is due to stand trial next week accused of the murder of a mother and her two young daughters last Christmas. Brian Hennessy (23) with an address at Windgap, Co Kilkenny, is accused of the killing 30-year-old Sharon Whelan and her daughters Zarah, 7, and Nadia, 2.

The three were found dead after a fire at their rented farmhouse at Roscon near Windgap on Christmas Day last year. The trial is due to start tomorrow.

Town shocked at gun death of local

Townspeople in Gorey were shocked by the news of the death of a 27-year-old local man in a shooting incident. Gardai revealed that they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the shooting which occurred in the woods at Ballyfad, Co Wexford, at 4pm on Friday.

A source said that the young man and his family were very popular and highly regarded. His remains were removed to Waterford Hospital for a post-mortem examination to be held yesterday.

Gilmore offers five Budget proposals

Labour leader Eamon Gilmore has accepted that the country must adjust the public finances by €4bn. Mr Gilmore unveiled five alternative proposals to kick-start the economy, including a jobs strategy and a guarantee that people will not lose their homes in the recession.

Bishop Walsh challenges women ban

The Papal ban on discussing the ordination of women has been challenged by Bishop Willie Walsh of Killaloe, Co Clare. In an RTE interview Dr Walsh called for the debate on women priests. The Bishop expressed sadness about his Church excluding homosexuals and refusing the Eucharist to couples in second unions.

Historical tapestry up for auction

AN historical piece of Irish artwork is coming up for sale in the London auction house of Christies next month with a price tag of between £5,000/£6,000. The tapestry (a 40-foot-long sampler) was created by Marianne Neville whilst she was under house arrest at No 33 rutland Street, Dublin, in 1846 for believing in the restoration of Israel "according to scripture."

Whilst imprisoned she was under constant supervision of the court and was not allowed to practice her religious beliefs. But she was allowed to look after orphans and teach them to embroider and she made the piece with the help of five orphans who she supported. The embroidery will be sold on December 8.

'Cat Stevens' praises works of Bono

"Bono wants to become master!" said Yusuf Islam, who used to be known as Cat Stevens, last week. "It is the natural tendency when you get to that kind of state: to want to never slip down. He has set himself some great goals. He hasn't achieved all of them. His music is quite good. It is religious too... spiritual."

EXCLUSIVE: Interview with Yusuf on Page 4, Living Section

€7m left in will goes to probate

John R H Fowler of Rahinstown, Enfield, Co Meath, who died on December 15, 2008, has left €7,864,464 in his will, which went to probate last week.

Other wills: Brendan Connolly, Elm Mount Ave, Beaumont, Dublin, €4,098,139; Lila Kronn, director, Wasdale Pk, Terenure, Dublin, €3,239,957; Maureen Doyle, housewife, Rosemount, Glandore Rd, Drumcondra, Dublin, €2,988,518; Maire Ni Chellachair, journalist, Baile an Fheirtearaigh, Tralee, Co Kerry, €1,718,789; Jerome P O'Donovan, retired garda, Calderwood Ave, Drumcondra, Dublin, left €1,689,053 and John Paul McMahon, retired Garda Comissioner, Castleknock, Dublin, left €107,286.

The value of wills include property, including the family home, and should not be regarded as cash amounts

Sunday Independent