News Brief

White Bid For Presidency



Senator Mary White today announced her bid for the Irish presidency in 2011. A member of Fianna Fáil since 1983, she will be seeking the nomination from the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party. She is the first person to declare an interest in the race to succeed Mary McAleese, who is midway through her second seven-year term





Fathers Group Protest Outside Four Courts



The Unmarried and Separated Fathers of Ireland group has staged a protest outside the Four Courts as part of its campaign for reform of family law. The group claims men are discriminated against in family law cases before the District Court and is calling on the Government to ensure that only specially trained judges be allowed to deal with family disputes.



Woman Dies In Cork Crash



A pensioner has been killed in a road collision in Co Cork. The woman died when her car collided with an articulated lorry on the main Cork to Dublin road at around 6.30pm, on Tuesday evening. Gardaí have warned motorists that the stretch of road will be closed until at least midday tomorrow. The lorry driver is being treated for shock.





Rising Rates To Push Up Childcare Costs



Childcare providers have warned they may have to increase their charges or close their doors due to increasing council rates. The National Children's Nurseries Association said some providers have already been hit with increases of up to €10,000-a-year. As there is a HSE cap on the number of children any one provider can care for, existing parents will have to pay for increased costs.



Harney Under Fire



Health Minister Mary Harney has come under fire for attending the Superbowl after missing a Dail healthcare debate. The Minister is in the US on a fact-finding mission but the Department of Health have said the visit to Sunday night's event was not an official part of the trip.



Patton New Moderator



The Presbyterian Church in Ireland has elected Doctor Donald Patton as its new Moderator. Currently the Minister of Old Church Randalstown in Co Antrim, he will succeed Dr John Finlay in June.

(VB)