There were over 50,000 candidates for the Leaving Certificate in 2006. More than 60 per cent of them took higher-level English. About a quarter took higher-level French but only a small proportion took any other language – the next highest being German with 9 per cent taking it at higher-level.
The Barr tribunal has been widely criticised but at least the Carthy family got an apology. Irene Stanley describes her battle for justice for her husband, who was shot dead by British police. By Eleanor Burnhill
Tighter regulations relating to asbestos in the workplace have just been signed into Irish law. The regulations bring in a single-exposure limit for all workers who might encounter asbestos either through their work or accidentally in the workplace.
Ten years ago, 54.4 per cent of the population in the Dublin Docklands area had left education at 15, 23.6 per cent had left school at primary level, only 10 per cent did their leaving certificate and one per cent of the population went to third-level education.
After three trials over the course of more than three years, the Pitstop Ploughshares have been acquitted under their 'lawful excuse' defence. By Harry Browne and William Hederman. Photographs by William Hederman
When Helena, a HIV positive victim of war-time rape, sought refuge in Ireland, she encountered callous treatment and a 'culture of disbelief' from Irish officials. By Susan McKay
The Ballyfermot area has been designated the 46th RAPID area by the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Éamon Ó Cuív. Under the RAPID (Revitalising Areas by Planning, Investment and Development) Programme, the area is now eligible for funding from a range of programmes including the Dormant Accounts, from which it will get €300,000.
Youthreach, the programme for training early school-leavers, receives none of the special education-needs services that primary and post-primary schools do, yet 70 per cent of the people they deal with have special education needs.
Hundreds attend protest outside Store St Garda station to commemorate man who died after being found unconscious in a Garda cell. By John Byrne
To celebrate its 150th anniversary, University Church in Dublin commissioned a replacement of its 19th-century copies of Raphael's Sistine Chapel cartoons. Conservation experts are unimpressed and there is confusion as to whether they are temporary or permanent. William Laffan and Emma Somers report. Pictures by William Hederman