Conference hears about protecting children at centre of sex abuse cases

A national conference taking place this morning will hear evidence that repetitive interviewing of children at the centre of sex abuse concerns can contaminate their story.

Agencies are being asked to work together when interviewing these children to help copmbat this problem.

Tomorrow’s event involves representatives from Temple Street Children's Hospital and Our Lady's Children's Hospital in Crumlin.

Verdict due in case against anti-water charges protesters

Three anti-water charge protesters will find out today if they will be jailed for contempt of court.

GMC Sierra, the company carrying out the installations in North Dublin, claims the demonstrators have breached an injunction by coming within 20 metres of the work stations.

The exclusion zone was put in place by a court order earlier this month over claims by the company that certain anti water charge demonstrators were harassing their workers.

Mr Justice Paul Gilligan will rule this morning whether the 3 protesters were in contempt of the order and what if any, action should be taken.

Announcement of new plans for social housing

Minister for the Environment Alan Kelly and Minister for State with Special Responsibility for Hosing Paudie Coffey, will launch plans to build 35,000 new social housing units.

The government is due to unveil its major new strategy for social housing, worth €2.2bn.

The plan will see tens of thousands of new homes constructed over the next six years.