Brenda Power: The nuns would not have stood for it

The lack of accountability of the HSE and of health staff is the real cause of the hospital crisis

Impasse that blocked the assembly appears to be thawing

Signals from republicans and unionists indicate that they may be closer to sharing power again

‘The streets are going to see blood pour’

Murder capital of Ireland mourns the accidental shooting of a rugby captain but rival clans show no sign of ending conflict

Rugby ace shot dead in drugs feud ‘mistake’

The murder of Garryowen Captain Shane Geoghegan pushes drug wars in Limerick to the top of the political agenda

Gruesome find may hold key to missing man

A foot buried on a hillside south of Dublin has given hope to a family whose son was abducted and secretly murdered by the IRA

UK criminals 'behind £500m Ireland cocaine haul'

60ft yacht under forensic examination and three men under arrest after cocaine worth around €700 million is seized

Saville is sorry for Bloody Sunday delay

The inquiry, which is expected to break all records in terms of length and cost, has so far run up a bill of more than £182m

Profile: Lord Saville of Newdigate

Lord Saville of Newdigate was appointed a law lord in 1997 after rising swiftly through the ranks of the judiciary,

900 witnesses, 20 million words of evidence

At a cost of £181 million, the Saville inquiry is already one of the most expensive ever held

Anger as Bloody Sunday report delayed again

Lord Saville of Newdigate provoked fury by announcing his report would be released next year – over a decade after it began

Sharon Collins jailed over hitman plot

Irish businessman pleads with judge to spare his wife as she is sentenced for hiring a hitman to kill him and his sons

Toxic spraying: Meath council faces court

Environment department acts over attempt to kill roadside ragwort

Liam Fay: Off-key teachers’ unions aren’t doing it for the kids

The real reason for teaching unions’ campaign against cutbacks has nothing to do with children

My week: American publisher Niall O’Dowd, who is helping the Obama campaign

The presidential election candidates are getting younger

Terry Prone: The grievous hidden costs of the €300m Mahon tribunal

Ten years of allegation tossing has eroded trust in the Irish political system

Matt Cooper: Be wise Fine Gael — sit back and gloat

It would be a political miracle if this government lasts much beyond next year let alone to 2012

Liam Clarke: Don’t mess up this rare chance of peace

Sinn Fein and the DUP would both be blamed by a disillusioned electorate if they mess up devolution during a recession

Briefing: Shopping abroad

As Irish consumers flock to America to get more bang for their buck, small businesses have attacked the government’s failure to levy taxes at...

Brenda Power: The ‘unborn’ debate is alive and kicking

Further heated public rows are brewing over when life begins — and it won’t be a pretty sight

Profile: Brenda Fricker, the star who makes Home Alone true

She says Irish film-makers ignore her now, but as she shuns company, there’s something sad about the Casualty actress