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.

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.

The children’s charity Barnardo’s has called on the government to increase the family incomes of the one in nine children in Ireland living in consistent poverty.

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

The findings of a research study to be published today indicates there is a human trafficking problem in Ireland.

The Competition Authority is launching a full investigation into the controversial decision by pharmacists to withdraw from a scheme providing drug addicts with methadone.

The Health Service Executive (HSE) decision to dispense methadone to recovering drug addicts from St Ita’s Hospital in rural north Dublin has sparked protests from local residents.