Republic of Ireland News Headlines - Yahoo! News UK

Exclusive - Forest keen to bid for Irish drugmaker Elan - sources

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 20:00:11 +0100

By Jessica Toonkel and Soyoung Kim NEW YORK (Reuters) - Forest Laboratories Inc, the specialty drugmaker that counts investor Carl Icahn as a major shareholder, is among a handful of companies interested in bidding for Irish drugmaker Elan Corp, two people familiar with the situation said. Elan, which has a market capitalization of nearly $7 billion, put itself up for sale last week in an effort to fend off a hostile offer from U.S. investment firm Royalty Pharma. Forest is among several mid-size drugmakers keen to bid on Elan, the people said on Wednesday. ...

Ireland to put off sale of Aer Lingus stake - minister

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 18:45:38 +0100

DUBLIN (Reuters) - Ireland's government does not think the time is right for it to sell its 25 percent stake in Aer Lingus , the minister in charge of the country's privatisation plan said on Wednesday. ...

IMF praises Spain, Ireland reforms but warns of risks

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 18:27:40 +0100

By Julien Toyer and Sam Cage MADRID/DUBLIN (Reuters) - Spain and Ireland have made strong progress in fixing their economies but recovery will hinge on their capacity to clean up ailing lenders, create jobs and maintain investor confidence, the IMF said on Wednesday. Both countries were forced to seek international financial support after a decade-long boom fuelled by cheap credit ended abruptly in 2008, leaving their banks struggling with bad property loans and their economies in slow or negative growth. ...

Cuts 'hitting vulnerable children'

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 17:49:49 +0100

Savage education cuts are hitting the country's most vulnerable children while the state continues to bail out bankers and developers, campaigners have claimed.

10 'to vote against abortion law'

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 17:42:53 +0100

About 10 Fine Gael TDs and senators will vote against the new abortion legislation, a member of the party has claimed.

Three rescued as fishing boat sinks

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 17:21:49 +0100

Three fishermen have been rescued off north Donegal after their boat sank.

Sale of harvesting rights abandoned

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 17:10:19 +0100

The sale of the harvesting rights for the country's state-owned forests has been abandoned.

Ireland on track for bailout exit, says IMF

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 16:02:25 +0100

By Sam Cage DUBLIN (Reuters) - Ireland has a good chance of exiting its bailout this year but would benefit from more European support in cleaning up its indebted banks and the safety net of precautionary funding, the International Monetary Fund said on Wednesday. Tight budgets in line with the conditions of its 85 billion euro (72 billion pounds) bailout have helped Ireland get back on its feet. In contrast to much of the euro zone, the country's economy has expanded for much of the last two years, and the Fund kept its growth forecasts for 2013 and 2014 unchanged, at 1.1 percent and 2. ...

Critics hail Radcliffe's stage turn

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 15:57:28 +0100

Daniel Radcliffe has won magical reviews for his latest stage role as a disabled Irish dreamer in Martin McDonagh's The Cripple Of Inishmaan.

Agency to provide development funds

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 15:31:59 +0100

Nama is to provide 18 million euro to finish two office blocks in Belfast, it has been revealed.

No income tax hike promises Kenny

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 15:03:24 +0100

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has guaranteed there will be no hike in income tax in the next budget.

Ryanair CEO sees larger Chinese jet in early 2020s

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 13:51:02 +0100

PARIS (Reuters) - China's Comac could build a larger version of its C919 aircraft in the early 2020s to tempt airlines away from dominant global planemakers Airbus and Boeing , the head of Irish low-cost carrier Ryanair said. The first C919 model, carrying 174 passengers in a high-density configuration, is due to reach Chinese customers from 2016. A second model with up to 200 passengers could interest airlines outside China, however, Michael O'Leary said at the Paris Airshow on Wednesday. "The sweet spot is not 174 but as close to 199 or 200 that you can get," said O'Leary. ...

Daniel Radcliffe proves acting skills in London stage role

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 13:16:31 +0100

By Belinda Goldsmith LONDON (Reuters) - British actor Daniel Radcliffe won plaudits this week for a new stage role as a bullied Irish cripple that takes him a critical step further away from his days as boy wizard Harry Potter. In his third foray onto the stage in six years, Radcliffe adopts an Irish accent to play Billy, the bullied 17-year-old title character in "The Cripple of Inishmaan", a politically incorrect black comedy by Martin McDonagh. ...

Dissident republican risk 'severe'

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 13:07:15 +0100

The threat from dissident republicans remains severe, Justice Minister Alan Shatter has said.

Ryanair spends £10bn on planes

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 11:52:47 +0100

Low-fares airline Ryanair has confirmed it would be buying around £10 billion-worth (11.6 billion euro) of new planes in a move that will create more than 3,000 jobs.

Lions winger North cleared for first test

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 09:07:51 +0100

(Reuters) - Hulking Welsh winger George North has been declared fit for the British and Irish Lions' first test against Australia, providing a welcome boost for the tourists after Tuesday's shock loss to the ACT Brumbies. North, who was nursing a hamstring strain, passed a fitness test on Wednesday to make himself available for the first test at the Suncorp Stadium. "I've never seen him in better shape and he's available for selection, which is a huge fillip for us," Lions assistant coach Rob Howley told reporters in Brisbane. ...

Gatland: Reality Check For Lions

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 08:46:54 +0100

British and Irish Lions head coach Warren Gatland admits the side have been given a "reality check" after they lost their unbeaten Australia tour record.

Code-hopper Folau set to debut in first test against Lions

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 07:29:29 +0100

By Ian Ransom CANBERRA (Reuters) - Israel Folau's remarkable rise in his third football code is set to be stamped with selection for Australia in the first test against the British and Irish Lions when Wallabies coach Robbie Deans names his team on Thursday. The 24-year-old former rugby league international will be front and centre at a media conference with Deans on Thursday, a team spokesman confirmed, and barring an unforeseen injury should be named in the Wallabies backline. ...

Brumbies loss no affect on Lions mentality - Kearney

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 05:12:19 +0100

CANBERRA (Reuters) - The British & Irish Lions' stunning loss to the ACT Brumbies will not affect the team mentally, though the tourists will need to get back "on their feet" quickly before Saturday's opening test against Australia, according to fullback Rob Kearney. Kearney started his first match on the tour in Tuesday's 14-12 defeat at Canberra Stadium in a makeshift backline that failed to breach the dogged Brumbies defence for a single try. ...

Lions pride wounded ahead of first Australia test

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 04:46:45 +0100

By Ian Ransom CANBERRA (Reuters) - If managing players' fitness and keeping morale high are the ultimate balancing act for a long and arduous rugby tour, British and Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland took a plunge off the high-wire after his team's shock loss to the ACT Brumbies. The 14-12 disappointment at a sodden Canberra Stadium torpedoed captain Sam Warburton's hopes of a 'perfect 10' wins and an unbeaten tour, while handing Robbie Deans' Wallabies extra belief ahead of Saturday's first test in Brisbane. ...

Attacker jailed for Meagher murder

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 03:30:06 +0100

A serial sex offender has been sentenced to life in prison for the rape and murder of an Irish woman that outraged Australia's second-largest city.

Kenny to welcome Japanese premier

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 00:20:12 +0100

Taoiseach Enda Kenny is to hold talks with prime minister of Japan Shinzo Abe in Dublin.

Murder probe over mother and girl

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 20:58:47 +0100

A Garda probe into the death of a mother and a daughter has been upgraded to a double murder investigation.

Cameron says morning swim helped with G8 Syria talks

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 20:19:01 +0100

A dip in the icy waters of a Northern Irish lake proved the ideal tonic before a day of tough talks with G8 leaders on tax evasion and the Syria crisis, British Prime Minister David Cameron said on Tuesday.

Irish sweep all before them at Royal Ascot

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 18:31:50 +0100

Ireland dominated the opening day of the Royal Ascot meeting on Tuesday carrying all before them in the first four races including the feature race the St James's Palace Stakes.

Pub meal rounds off whirlwind tour

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 18:27:44 +0100

The wife of the world's most powerful man is sitting across the table eating fish and chips at your local - the stuff of dreams for most mere mortals, but for U2 frontman and self-styled anti-poverty campaigner Bono it was just another lunch at the top table.

Ireland makes push for EU budget deal

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 18:20:31 +0100

Irish Foreign Minister Eamon Gilmore is pictured on May 29, 2013. It is time for the European Parliament to approve the EU's hotly contested budget for the next seven years and give the struggling bloc ...

Second-string Brumbies hand Lions first defeat

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 15:44:43 +0100

By Ian Ransom CANBERRA (Reuters) - The ACT Brumbies, shorn of the heart of their first-choice team, soaked up enormous pressure to secure a famous 14-12 victory over a ragged British and Irish Lions side in Canberra on Tuesday and hand the tourists their first defeat. Bullocking centre Tevita Kuridrani scored the sole try in the first half and fullback Jesse Mogg slotted three penalties for the hosts who held on grimly as the Lions roared back late in the second half in front of more than 21,000 frenzied fans at Canberra Stadium. ...

Wallabies can take on Lions with confidence now - White

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 15:20:44 +0100

By Ian Ransom CANBERRA (Reuters) - The ACT Brumbies' stunning upset of a second-string British and Irish Lions team in Canberra on Tuesday should give heart to Australia that they can beat the tourists in the three-match series, according to coach Jake White. White, who coached South Africa to their 2007 World Cup triumph, rated his side's 14-12 victory over the Lions at Canberra Stadium among the finest of his career, and said the result should erase any doubts among Robbie Deans's Wallabies ahead of Saturday's first test in Brisbane. ...

Ryanair to firm up $16 billion Boeing 737 deal

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 14:42:53 +0100

PARIS (Reuters) - Ryanair said on Tuesday that it will finalise an order for 175 Boeing 737-800 aircraft worth around $16 billion (10 billion pounds) at list prices at the Paris Airshow on Wednesday. The Irish budget airline made a provisional order in March for the aircraft, which would help it continue its domination of the European low-cost airline market. (Reporting by Siva Govindasamy; Editing by James Regan)

Rugby-Second-string Brumbies hand Lions first defeat

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 14:30:40 +0100

* Lions suffer first defeat of tour * Second-string Brumbies deserving winners (Adds fresh quotes) By Ian Ransom CANBERRA, June 18 (Reuters) - The ACT Brumbies, shorn of the heart of their first-choice team, soaked up enormous pressure to secure a famous 14-12 victory over a ragged British and Irish Lions side in Canberra on Tuesday and hand the tourists their first defeat. ...

Royalty drops hostile bid for Ireland's Elan

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 14:00:29 +0100

DUBLIN (Reuters) - U.S.-based Royalty Pharma has dropped a hostile bid worth up to $8 billion (5.1 billion pounds) for Elan , leaving the Irish drug maker free to seek other suitors having put itself up ...

Lions Beaten 14-12 by ACT Brumbies

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 12:39:25 +0100

The British and Irish Lions have suffered their first defeat the tour of Australia.

Compensation plea over laundries

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 12:12:14 +0100

Comprehensive compensation is needed for survivors of Magdalene laundries including unpaid wages and pensions and rehab for forced labour, a watchdog has claimed.

Jamie Roberts A Doubt For First Australia Test

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 06:21:32 +0100

British and Irish Lions centre Jamie Roberts is a "grave doubt" for Saturday's first test against Australia in Brisbane because of a hamstring strain.

Michelle Obama visits national park

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 02:51:24 +0100

Michelle Obama rounds off the family's whistle-stop trip to Ireland with a visit to one of the country's famous national parks.

IMF approves $1.27 billion disbursement to Ireland

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 00:14:48 +0100

By Anna Yukhananov WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The International Monetary Fund said Ireland was on track with the conditions of its bailout program, and disbursed the European country's next chunk of aid on ...

Primary teachers back pay deal

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 21:59:08 +0100

Primary teachers have backed the revised public sector pay deal.

Youngsters dazzled by First Lady

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 20:02:04 +0100

A youngster was rendered speechless as Michelle Obama affectionately greeted him and classmates backstage at a special performance of the dance spectacular Riverdance.

Obama and Cameron brush away divides in N. Ireland school

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 18:27:39 +0100

US President Barack Obama did his bit to bridge sectarian divides Monday in a painting class with primary schoolchildren, pushing reconciliation in Northern Ireland.