national

National News Briefs

Mortgage arrears to peak at 16.5%

A new report is warning that mortgage arrears amongst owner occupiers in Ireland could peak at 16.5%.

The prediction is contained in a paper on the Irish economy from Davy research.

It also expresses concern about arrears on buy-to-let mortgages, which they see running at more than twice the rate of the owner-occupier category.
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Questioning of trio continues after Rathfarnham robbery

Two men and a woman are still being questioned in connection with a cash-in-transit robbery in Dublin.

They were arrested yesterday evening after a security van was held up by a man with a gun in the carpark of Rathfarnham Shopping Centre.

The man made off with an undisclosed sum of cash.
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Funerals of Spanish Point victims take place today

Funerals will be held today for two men who died when their fishing boat sank off the coast of Co Clare on Monday.

Michael Galvin, 65, and his friend Noel Dickinson, who was in his 30s, lost their lives when their 26ft vessel, the 'Lady Eileen' went down near Spanish point.

Both men had been living in Sea View Park in Quilty.

A requiem mass will be held for Mr Dickinson at 11am this morning at Star of the Sea Church in Quilty, while Mr Galvin's funeral mass will be held at 3pm.
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2,000 expected to compete in Gaelforce race

Europe's largest adventure race gets underway in the west of Ireland this weekend.

Around 2,000 competitors will take part in this year's Gaelforce race, which involves cycling, running, hiking and kayaking.

The 67km course begins in north Connemara and takes in some significant obstacles including Killary Harbour and Croagh Patrick on its way to the finish line in Westport, Co. Mayo.
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Maths bonus scheme could do more harm than good - TUI

The Teacher's Union of Ireland says the new maths bonus point system for Leaving Cert students could do more harm than good.

For the first time this year, any student who passed a higher level maths paper in their exam received an extra 25 points.

The scheme was introduced in an effort to encourage more students to take the higher level maths paper.

But the TUI says this new system may deprive some students of third level places in disciplines in which they have an interest and expertise, and which are not maths based.

The union also says the bonus points may not lead to an increase in the number of graduates in maths based disciplines.
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Search goes on for Olympian's missing phone

The search is on to find Irish Olympic Boxer Michael Conlon's mobile phone after it was stolen earlier this week in a popular Dublin nightclub.

The bronze medallist was signing autographs for fans on Wednesday night in Copper Face Jacks when he was pickpocketed.

The iPhone 4S had a picture of a girl as a screensaver and had a "nice red cover".

It also contained loads of photos from Conlon's time at the Olympic Games, including pictures of him with legendary sprinter Usain Bolt and a photo of Conlon receiving his bronze medal.

Anyone with information is asked to contact their local Garda Station.
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Irish Pharmacy Union launches online guide for sick children

Pharmacists are reaching out to parents with ill children with an online guide.

The Irish Pharmacy Union has launched the guide to provide practical advice on treating common ailments.

Problems such as colds, coughs, pain and fever, as well as teething and colic are covered.

Irish Pharmacy Union guide to common ailments in babies and young children
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