Over 7,000 people turned out at a public rally in Castlebar, Co Mayo today in protest at the withdrawal of cancer care services from Mayo General Hospital under the national cancer control programme.

A Fianna Fail TD has slammed the new way of funding community childcare places as “seriously flawed” and “reinforcing welfare dependency”.

Focus Ireland launched its Pre-Budget Submission today and called for the Government to ensure that Budget 2008 takes direct action to tackle homelessness.

More than half of people being supported by social services voluntarily seek help, it emerged today.

The Minister for Justice, Brian Lenihan, has said human trafficking has the potential to become a significant problem in Ireland.

A new initiative aimed at bringing care and services to Multiple Sclerosis sufferers in rural or remote areas has been launched by a leading MS charity.

The number of people facing homelessness because of rent arrears has soared by 27pc. A new report by the national housing organisation Threshold — seen by the Irish Independent — warns rising rents are forcing many low-paid workers onto the streets.

A husband and wife have been charged with incest, sexual abuse and with the neglect and cruelty of their six children. The married couple were arrested yesterday morning and brought before Castlerea District Court.

Justice Minister Brian Lenihan has tinkered with controversial laws being proposed on immigration to avoid a major political row over human trafficking.

The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre has reported a significant increase in the number of people presenting to the sexual assault treatment unit at the Rotunda Hospital.