Journalists

'Big Tom didn't realise how popular he was' - huge crowds pay respects 

No obstacle was too difficult for Big Tom's loyal fans to traverse. One fan recalled a journey of four-and-a-half hours on a Honda 50 to see him play in 1981. Another woman remarked on how a queue of two-and-a-half hours into a dance hall for a Mainliners gig had been the usual thing.

'We're losing a gentleman, he'll never be replaced' - hundreds line streets to pay tribute to Big Tom 

SINGERS TR Dallas, Margo and Derek Ryan were amongst those who came to pay their emotional respects to legendary singer Big Tom, at a public reposal in his native village of Oram, Co Monaghan.

Additional blood on Jackson's sheets and 'middle class' tweet - Reporting restrictions on Belfast rape trial lifted 

A JUDGE has lifted reporting restrictions on the trial of two Ireland rugby players acquitted of rape.

Laughter, jeers and scoffs from public gallery at woman were shocking 

The young woman in the witness box was asked by the barrister: “How did you feel being back at Paddy Jackson’s house?”

Nicola Anderson: Often we wondered if it was the young woman being put on trial 

Many times we wondered who exactly had been put on trial here.

Complainant 'understandably upset and disappointed' at outcome 

The complainant at the centre of allegations in the Ulster rugby case is "understandably upset and disappointed with the outcome".

'There are no winners here': Police hope trial result does not deter victims from coming forward 

Police in Northern Ireland say they hope the result of the rape trial of rugby stars Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding does not deter victims from coming forward.

Nicola Anderson at rugby rape trial: Truth or mistruth - only unanimous verdict will be accepted 

The judge told the jury that the prosecution asks it to consider what the young woman at the centre of this has to gain by making these allegations; why would she make them unless it is because she is telling the truth?

Nicola Anderson: Strange sense of frantic finality descends on courtroom 

'A woman is entitled to say 'no' and to decide what sexual activity she wants, how far she is prepared to go, and what she does not want to do," Judge Patricia Smyth reminded the jury.

Nicola Anderson at rugby rape trial: 'Draw a distinction between consent and submission,' jury told 

AFTER a lengthy delay in the morning for “technical reasons”, at last it was the turn of Judge Patricia Smyth to address the jury – but only on points of law.

Nicola Anderson at rugby rape trial: 'You don't have the power to change your minds,' jury told 

The little joke Rory Harrison's lawyer had penned by way of an opener plopped silently like a pebble into a stagnant stream in the dense atmosphere of the courtroom.

'Why didn't she scream? There were lots of girls downstairs who weren't going to tolerate a rape' 

'There were a lot of middle-class girls downstairs - they weren't going to tolerate a rape or anything like that," Stuart Olding's barrister assured the jury.

Rugby rape trial: 'I'm not painting him as a saint - but look at Paddy Jackson... hands in his pockets' 

'You see these four men...doesn't look great, does it?" said Paddy Jackson's barrister, arm outstretched as he gestured towards the defendants, inviting the jury to consider them.

Nicola Anderson: Public gallery packed as final arguments in rugby rape trial are heard 

THERE was some understandable trepidation when it emerged that Brendan Kelly, QC for Paddy Jackson, had apparently ‘written a book’ on this trial – with his announcement that his closing statement would consist of no less than 15 chapters. By 4pm, he had still only reached chapter six.

Nicola Anderson at the rugby rape trial: Defendant denies using 'weasel words' 

THERE was a tense pause in the proceedings as Toby Hedworth QC, for the prosecution, shuffled some papers.

Nicola Anderson: Text messages reveal interplay of key witnesses in trial 

At the police station, the detective put it to Rory Harrison that out of every offence that might have allegedly been committed that night, he had guessed rape.

Nicola Anderson: Defence frustrations apparent as prosecution concludes case 

The prosecution case ended rather abruptly, with the rigorous probing by the defence of the chief police officers over how the case had been conducted.

Nicola Anderson: Complicated jigsaw was assembled from busy chatter on men's mobile phones 

At the start of this trial, much had been made of the 'timeline' and the painstaking preparation being done on it.

Nicola Anderson at the rugby rape trial : Contradictions, large and small, emerge in the narrative 

IT was "damage limitation", the detective had suggested to Rory Harrison during his final interview.

Nicola Anderson: 'Sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander' - effects of alcohol spelled out in rugby rape trial 

One of the reasons people drink alcohol, a defence barrister put it to the forensic medical examiner, is to induce a feeling of "well-being".

Nicola Anderson: Clothes worn by Olding on night of alleged rape never recovered, court hears 

AFTER being arrested, Stuart Olding had told the police what he was wearing that night. This outfit had entailed a navy shirt, black jeans, black “boxer underwear” and brown shoes.

Nicola Anderson: Conflicting accounts from those in house on night of alleged attack emerge in rugby rape trial 

BY the end of her eight days in the witness box, the version of events put forward by the young woman who had given her evidence from behind a curtain had been well and truly established.

'I'm sorry, I shouldn't have left you - I'll never leave you again' - Court hears text exchange between friend and alleged rape victim 

The young woman in the witness box was asked: "What was the last you heard of your friend?"

Witness tells court that she is '100pc' positive she saw Paddy Jackson have sex with alleged rape victim 

As is customary following the cross-examination by the defence, the prosecution was permitted to ask a few questions for clarification purposes.

'Are you calling me delusional?': tense court exchanges as student in rape case on stand for eighth day 

'I'm not going to argue with you over grammar. You're not putting words in my mouth," the young woman told the lawyer, very deliberately and with no small amount of heat.

'I was not staring at Paddy Jackson,' insists accuser 

At one stage of the night in the sitting room, Rory Harrison's barrister claimed, his client had looked over the shoulder of a friend and formed the view that the young woman was looking at Paddy Jackson.

Nicola Anderson at rugby rape trial: Alleged victim questioned over fake tan stains 

‘I was handled like a piece of meat,” the young woman told the barrister in slow succinct tones.

Accuser tells court she was 'handled like a piece of meat' 

'I was handled like a piece of meat," the young woman told the barrister in slow succinct tones.

Nicola Anderson: Consent at the heart of testimony as alleged victim gives evidence 

It was the most difficult and most painfully forensic day in the cross-examination so far.

Judge: 'The only reason' Rory Best attended rape trial was because he was asked to do so 

IRELAND rugby captain Rory Best was asked to attend the rape trial of two international teammates by senior counsel, a court has heard.

Nicola Anderson at rugby players rape trial: 'I am so worried about what is going to happen to me after this,' accuser told police 

A young woman who has accused two rugby internationals of rape broke down in court as a video of her police interview was shown to the jury.

Team-mates show support for accused at Belfast court 

IRELAND rugby captain Rory Best was among three Ulster teammates who were photographed arriving at Belfast Crown Court, as the trial reached its second day and the alleged victim entered the witness stand.

Nicola Anderson at rugby players' rape trial: Speaking out 'was the best decision I ever made', says accuser 

THAT this was an ordeal was all too painfully apparent.

'They rely on your silence... rape is a game of power and control' - woman accusing rugby players of rape tells court 

THE young woman at the centre of the rape claims involving Ireland rugby player Paddy Jackson has told the trial at Belfast Crown Court that she decided to report it to the police because "rape is a game of power and control and they rely on your silence."

Nicola Anderson: 'They'll all have the same fabricated story about me being some slut' - accuser 

‘THIS case concerns a young woman going to an after-party with young sportsmen,” said the counsel for the prosecution, cautioning the jury that “there is a danger that stereotypical views are taken of what such a complainant should expect”.

'It was like a merry-go-round at a carnival' - Ireland rugby stars accused of rape 'boasted about sex on WhatsApp' 

THE young woman at the centre of a rape claim against Ireland rugby player Paddy Jackson and Ulster rugby player Stuart Olding sent a text to a friend the morning after the alleged assault saying she would not go to the police because it would be her word against theirs and "they have the backing of Ulster Rugby."

Rugby stars' rape trial jury told to 'keep an open mind' 

Jurors sworn in for the rape trial of Ireland rugby players Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding have been warned to "keep an open mind" during the hearing, which is expected to last for five weeks.

Jury in Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding rape trial warned to 'keep an open mind' 

A jury sworn in for the rape trial of Ireland rugby players Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding have been warned to 'keep an open mind' during the hearing which is expected to last for five weeks.

'Our local area is unaffordable - we are looking at a 90-minute commute' 

Newly-weds Philip Tonge and his wife Laura are trying to save for a deposit for their own place but it's a mammoth task.

Gardaí trawling 15,000 DNA profiles for connections to murdered Baby John 

Gardaí are trawling 15,000 DNA profiles for any connections that will lead them to the parents of murdered Baby John.

'There are lots of old people waiting on trolleys in there, it's just terrible to see them' 

Amid warnings by medics that a blast of Arctic air would only serve to worsen the spreading of the flu virus, the swirling snow and bitter wind outside the Midland Hospital in Tullamore served as yet another reminder that this crisis is far from over.

President rewards Neeson's 'particular set of skills' 

In his most famous speech from the movie 'Taken', Liam Neeson warns of having a "very particular set of skills...skills I have acquired over a very long career" before going on to warn his daughter's kidnapper that he will find him and kill him.

Sutherland's 'generous service' recalled at funeral 

Peter Sutherland promoted globalisation because he saw it as "a means of lifting billions out of grim poverty and of countering narrow nationalism" - though his enthusiasm for the benefits "may have blurred his view of its downside", mourners at his funeral heard.

Students shocked to find errors on air charts used by coast guard teams 

A group of students have claimed that they have discovered several mistakes in the aeronautical charts used by coast guard services in Ireland - as part of their scientific research for the BT Young Scientist Exhibition.

Young Scientists explore how kiwis help you to sleep - and how to fight blindness 

The hot cup of milk is an insomnia remedy almost as old as time itself - but how about ditching it for a kiwi?

BT Young Scientist & Technology exhibition kicks off at the RDS 

The first Irish person set to travel to outer space will be inspiring young students at the 54th BT Young Scientist & Technology exhibition.

Shop owner hails fortune after selling €39m ticket 

As a fully qualified chartered accountant, the shopkeeper who sold the winning €38.9m EuroMillions ticket would surely have some advice for her lucky customer who has become Ireland's latest multimillionaire.

Revealed: The shop that sold the winning €39m EuroMillions jackpot ticket 

What a way to banish the January blues.

Inside Ireland's most overcrowded A&E room 

A woman coming down the stairs raises her eyebrows as a nurse races past her. "Someone's in a hurry," she remarks.

Stay tuned for yet more Brexit mayhem 

It is an eye-rolling cliché to say a week is a long time in politics - but 2017 provided firm proof that clichés only become clichés because they are true.

Lasting legacy of Rescue 116 heroes stands out in a year of tragic stories 

Heroic, full of life and strength, the faces of Dara Fitzpatrick, Ciarán Smith, Paul Ormsby and Mark Duffy stand out as the most powerful and haunting images of the year, never to be forgotten.

Nicola Anderson: Citing mental health issues may be 'default' position when it comes to tragedy 

Amid the fallout and helpless distress of the Hawe tragedy, with all its unanswered questions, yet another arises – where do we go from here?

Nicola Anderson at Hawe inquest: Scant closure for two families left grappling to understand 

ON the invitation of questions by the coroner, Mary Coll sat forward in her seat and addressed the psychiatrist directly, asking: "Do you never interview families?"

Inquest: Alan Hawe 'was concerned at prospect of his marriage ending' - Clodagh's family 

THE jury at the inquest into the deaths of five members of the Hawe family has found that Clodagh Hawe and her three sons were 'unlawfully killed' by Alan Hawe - before he killed himself.

Nicola Anderson: 'Fat lady' comment was ignorant and misogynistic, but Mattie just can't stop digging 

What with the combination of animation, pitch and a sprinkling of deepest Tipp, it's fair to say it can be a little tricky to understand deputy Mattie McGrath when he's in full flow in the Dáil chamber.

'I like drama too ... I've had a bit too much of it recently,' Leo tells schoolgirls 

Who knows what my job is?" asked the Taoiseach. One little girl shot up her hand. "Ruler of Ireland," she declared.

Retired are left to wonder - 'Where did cash go?' 

ONCE Conor McGregor's accountant and as a former pro boxer himself, liquidator Aidan Garcia is used to rolling with the punches.

Demoralised TDs lose will for political point-scoring 

Agitated huddles scarred the corridors in Leinster House. The joyous relief at being yanked back from the brink of a Christmas election was short - though most sweet.

A mother's heart shattered by loss 

Down at the pier in Buncrana, a heart-wrenching shrine of teddy bears and holy medals still remains.

'The one ray of sunshine is my daughter survived this tragedy' 

Outside in the bitter cold, Louise James told how her heart has been left shattered.

Brexiteer bluster can't hide fact that Boris is winging it 

Like a student of dubious industry and ability who had just done an urgent night's cramming before an exam in the hope it might suffice, Boris immediately rattled off everything he knew about Ireland before it escaped his head.

'Ireland believed they were in a stronger position on 2023 bid' - Welsh rugby chief 

"Ireland thought they were in a stronger position than they actually were" throughout the Rugby World Cup bidding process, the chairman of the Welsh Rugby Union has said.

11 things you didn't know about Irish XI 

Darren Randolph - at the age of 11, he was a guest at Ronan Keating's first wedding, to model Yvonne Connolly. His father, Ed Randolph - a basketball player and coach from Florida, USA - had coached and befriended Yvonne in Loreto Abbey in Rathfarnham, Dublin.

Bertie baffled by the politicians 'who want to hand back power' 

Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has said it is 'not good enough' for the European Union, British government and the Irish Government to all say they are in favour of an open, frictionless Border and then to ultimately not find one that works.

Things don't stack up as 'Man of the People' Leo takes on the dishwasher 

You can tell the expert by the risks they are not willing to take. The Taoiseach's latest foray into self-promotion sees him move up with undue confidence from the amateur level of novelty socks to regular video posts and now to the advanced category of 'Man of the People'. This is a bold move, not for the faint-hearted.

Central Bank boss Lane to channel his inner Elvis for in-house opera 

'Oh yeah, Central Banking goes on, Long after the Troika's been and gone, bank on."

Shutters come down in Ballyragget as fierce loyalty to town chases off prying eyes 

A hand-painted sign outside the town reads: "Best of luck to St Patrick's from Ballyragget Scout group."

Sex offenders who have left shattered lives in their wake 

When Tom Humphries was jailed for a mere two-and-a-half years for grooming and sexually abusing a young girl, he joined a notorious club of men who preyed on young women or girls, leaving shattered lives behind them.

Writer abused position of trust to prey on young and vulnerable 

Now reviled as a paedophile, Tom Humphries was lauded for many years as the best sports writer in the country. He once wrote that when somebody asked him why he wrote, he thought of the glass display cabinet that his great-grandfather made.

'I was in a dark place and didn't have the energy to fight the banks' - Tracker mortgage scandal 

"I have the strength now to not let this wrong define me or overcome me with total despair," says Clare Stewart of the tracker mortgage scandal that darkened five years of her life, robbing her family of a sense of security.

Homeless are forced to set up camp along canal in the shadow of Mountjoy jail 

Some of the worst-hit victims of the housing crisis are being forced to live in tents along the banks of the Royal Canal.

'We'd been told they were safer outside' - Dairy farmer's cows electrocuted during Storm Ophelia 

In Aglish, Co Kilkenny, Storm Ophelia has come at a sobering cost for farmer Thomas Dermody who lost two four-year-old Friesian dairy cows - electrocuted after a power line had come down in his field.

Massive setback as 'the jewel of the community' is crippled by Ophelia 

'Even Cromwell couldn't breach Clonmel... but a woman could," quipped a local man of the devastation wrought by Hurricane Ophelia.

Tragic death of Lauren Johnson (23) highlights risks associated with taking the pill 

Statistically the chances are low - between two and five in every 100,000 women will develop a blood clot while taking the contraceptive pill.

'Our future is at stake' - Students hold protest over introduction of student loan scheme 

Thousands of third level students from all over Ireland have protested the introduction of a student loan scheme, chanting: “Our future is at stake, we say no to student debt” and “Leo, Leo, debt is not the way to go.”

Emotional ordeal as couple's private life is dissected in excruciating detail 

They arrived each day at Dublin Castle hand in hand. But their disparate testimonials delivered before the Disclosures Tribunal proved such a bizarre contrast to this outward harmony that far more questions were left hanging mid-air than answers.

'You were keen to hitch your wagon to Sgt McCabe's train' - Whistleblower challenged 

"You were obviously keen to hitch your wagon to Sergeant McCabe's train, would that be fair?"

'I don't want to be here,' Marisa Simms says as evidence of first marriage, ectopic pregnancy, and infidelities heard 

'Do you want to be involved in this Tribunal?" Marisa Simms was asked. Or with GSOC, or with the High Court proceedings? "Absolutely not," Ms Simms replied, with an emphasis that was almost ferocious. "I want peace."

Perfectly scripted as Leo and Mary Lou ramp up the drama 

The curtain rose with a swish on our two players for act one, scene two of this compelling new drama.

Museum’s elegance wasted in senators’ ‘intrusion’ 

Fragile, rather precious and some half-cracked, the senators were taken out of their acid-free archival tissue paper and positioned thoughtfully - though without much ceremony - in the Ceramics Room of the National Museum.

The west awaits as Mayo plot end to All-Ireland famine 

In the foothills of Croagh Patrick, a gold All-Ireland medal gleams in the last rays of the setting sun, a tantalising talisman for what may come tomorrow.

Mayo fans try to 'keep it real' with a low-key build-up but final fever rising 

A Garda on points duty. A teacher coaching first-year students in football. A shop owner selling his wares. All Mayo footballers, going about their business as normal in the run-up to what may turn out to be the most important clash of the last 66 years.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar says women in Ireland are not equal in 'many fields' 

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said that he does not believe women in Ireland are equal.

Into the West - as Galway's heroes bring Liam home 

'I'm not much of a singer," said captain David Burke. But he knew who was. Step forward Paul Flaherty, with an embarrassed clear of the throat before the crowd of 15,000 that stood before him in anticipation, hoping that they knew what was about to come.

WATCH: Galway star sings captivating version of the West's Awake as homecoming party kicks off 

The West's Awake rang out once again as the triumphant Galway hurlers - minor and senior - received a heroes welcome in Ballinasloe, their first stop after crossing the Shannon.

Duggan 'beyond legend' - but a softie at heart 

He was a giant and a leader both on the field and off. But Ireland rugby great Willie Duggan was also a softie at heart who loved an epic weepie like 'Braveheart' and "poured his soul" into his granddaughter Jo and "loved her with every sinew of his body".

Ruthless Dubs find cracks in Tyrone armour early on 

Barely three minutes had passed before the sheet fell off the bogeyman's head - and the scare factor never came back.

Leo's trip to Canada may have given keen Budget watchers a most illuminating clue 

In a hot and stuffy room on the 19th floor of one of Toronto's fanciest hotels, a self-conscious few were attempting a sweaty type of nonchalance as they gathered at the fringes of a reception given by the Irish Ambassador to Canada. Their mission - a selfie with the new Taoiseach.

Canadian bank to stay in Brexit U-turn 

One of Canada's largest banks has ditched plans to exit Ireland after Brexit persuaded it to ramp up its operations instead.

Canadian border 'wouldn't work here' 

A border similar to the one between the United States and Canada would not work on the island of Ireland, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said.

Canada tour ends at famine memorial 

Mid-way into the Taoiseach's speech, two large bin trucks rumbled by and, though he tried his best, he struggled to raise his voice loud enough to be heard over the hubbub of the big city.

Leo plays down Commissioner Europol controversy: 'I think it's good people seek promotions' 

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has played down the decision by Noirin O'Sullivan to seek an exit from the force just halfway through her term as Garda Commissioner.

'Make no mistake, it's a hard border' - Varadkar rejects using the US Canadian border as a template for Ireland 

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has rejected the idea of using the US Canadian border as a template for Ireland saying "make no mistake, it's a hard border."

'We will stall Brexit talks if not happy' - Varadkar 

European leaders will not allow the Brexit negotiations to move to the next phase unless Ireland is happy with progress made on the future of the Border, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said.

No swanning around for Leo as his workload eclipses all 

For someone so busy "swanning around Canada", Leo looked aghast at the idea that someone thought they had spotted him walking through the lobby wearing shorts.

Ireland to double its presence overseas by 2025 as Varadkar aims to be 'island at the centre of the world' 

Ireland will double its footprint overseas by 2025, to fulfill our ambition of being "an island at the centre of the world."

'Not swanning around George' - Taoiseach Varadkar hits back at broadcaster George Hook on Twitter 

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has hit back at broadcaster George Hook's criticism on none other than the Twitter machine.

Call for Brexit talks to focus first on trade is 'sensible' - Varadkar 

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has described claims by the British government that a Brexit trade deal would help progress on the future of the Irish Border as "common sense".

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and his partner join Trudeau at the Montreal Pride Parade 

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and his partner Matt Barrett were cheered from the rafters as they marched in the Montreal Pride Parade on Sunday.

Brexit and abortion among key topics as Taoiseach meets with Justin Trudeau in Canada 

Trade, Brexit, abortion and the healthcare system were all on the table during a bi-lateral meeting between the Taoiseach and his Canadian counterpart.

'One incident like this and the area is back down on its knees... but this isn't the real Ballymun' 

An elderly woman recounted how she had come back from the hairdressers to see a crowd gathered near her home after the shooting.

A perilous pilgrimage that is so much more than a walk 

It's perils are notorious - and just moments after arriving, we witness a fall first hand and at a very early stage in the climb.

Nicola Anderson: Not even Mick and his magic sponge can soothe woes 

'Have you got your legendary sponge?" quipped a fireman filling the tanks at Kilbrew in Ashbourne, Co Meath. Mick Byrne, the former physiotherapist for the Republic of Ireland soccer team, just chuckled, two 10-litre plastic drums in his hands as he waited.

It's Love Actually as Simon ties knot 

Turns out it's not just the Taoiseach who harbours a fondness for 'Love Actually'.

Toast to health and happiness as Simon Harris weds long time sweetheart Caoimhe 

There was time for just one more official department of Health announcement before the Minister tied the knot today.

Nicola Anderson: How money's spent is the real problem - not the licence fee 

Envious glances were doubtlessly cast across the Irish Sea from Montrose at the publication of BBC's gilded wages report.

'This is a pittance just to allow women to feel normal again' 

"Come at me when I'm healthy and I'll fight you - but not when I'm sick when I can't," said Sandra O'Rourke-Glynn.