Around 1000 children are caught with drugs in Scotland every year. The figure, the most robust yet on addiction among the very young, came out yesterday as a high-profile report suggested some illegal substances could be harmless.
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The High Court has awarded €250,000 compensation to a Garda who was “immeasurably” traumatised as a result of finding the bodies of a young garda and soldier in Derrada Wood near Ballinamore in Co Leitrim in 1983 after a shoot-out with the kidnappers of supermarket boss Don Tidey.
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A new DNA test will help police in the UK solve rape cases even when the attacker has not left any traces of sperm, scientists say. The test looks for the genetic hallmark of other cells present in semen, such as skin and immune cells.
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A Roman Catholic teenager has brought a landmark legal action against a council for sending her to live with Protestant foster parents. The young woman, identified only as “AR”, is seeking damages of £70,000 from Highland council for housing her with two sets of Protestant foster parents after she was taken into care aged 8.
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Cocaine use is continuing to rise, crossing all social strata and affecting every region, according to a new report. The report, from the National Advisory Committee on Drugs (NACD) and the National Drugs Strategy Team, published yesterday, draws on several sources to conclude that cocaine use in the Republic is on the increase.
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The government needs to work harder on some of its policies on encouraging the nation to eat healthily, according to a consumer watchdog. Which? said it particularly wanted to see more action on the advertising of unhealthy foods to children.
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Church and family groups expressed fear for children growing up in broken homes yesterday after figures revealed a soaring divorce rate, a fall in the number of marriages and the highest ever number of children born out of wedlock.
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A Falklands War veteran has contracted a hospital superbug SIX times in TWO years. Alan Marshall, 59, of Greenways, Porthcawl, has suffered endless pain since an accident 14 years ago caused both his legs to be crushed.
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A Town Hall report investigating alleged theft, corruption and negligence by Camden council workers providing services for the elderly and vulnerable will be kept secret, borough officials said yesterday.
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The number of ambulances covering Highland Perthshire is to be reduced from two to one, it emerged yesterday. The decision sparked claims that lives will be put at risk and treatment will be delayed by the move.
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