New measures are being introduced to tighten up the law on the sex-offenders register and to combat the sexual grooming of children.

Solicitors for the Catholic Church have handed over files to the PSNI which is carrying out a major inquiry into historic allegations of child sex abuse by priests.

People in this country are so appalled by the ever-rising crime rate — homicides up again by 25pc this year — that there are ever more voices calling for the legalisation of recreational drugs. If only to remove the drugs trade from the criminal gangs.

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.

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

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

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.