Religious and Social
Pegida protest in England draws small crowd
28 Feb A speaker at the UK's first demonstration by the controversial anti-Islam group Pegida estimated 300 people turned out to support the cause.
Research shows increasing gaps in life expectancy
25 Feb New research from the ESRI shows the gap in life expectancy between manual and non-manual workers increased during the economic boom.
French buses pull ads for extramarital dating site
18 Feb A French website promoting extra-marital affairs has complained of censorship after complaints led to its ads being pulled from buses in several cities near Paris.
Seanad passes adoption rights bill
18 Feb The Seanad has passed a bill initiated in the Upper House which provides greater rights for adopted people.
Direct provision top priority for new Ombudsman
13 Feb The incoming Children's Ombudsman has said protecting children in the direct provision system will be one of his top priorities when he assumes office.
Priest jailed for sexually assaulting young girl
16 Feb A priest who pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a young girl in the mid-1970s was jailed for a year at Cork Circuit Criminal Court today.
Archbishop 'appalled' by religious order delays
10 Feb The Irish Franciscans have expressed regret for missing opportunities to protect children who were sexually abused by a number of their Friars.
Atheist children being evangelised, group claims
10 Feb Atheist parents in Ireland are being obliged to send their children to Catholic and other religious-run schools where they are being evangelised, according to Atheist Ireland.
Figures show increase in homeless families
10 Feb New figures show the number of homeless families in Dublin is increasing steadily despite a recent Government initiative.
Dispute over €17m elderly housing complex resolved
09 Feb A long-running controversy over the accommodation of elderly people in a €17m complex has been resolved following agreement between the Catholic Housing Aid Society and Dublin City Council.
Pope calls for action against human trafficking
08 Feb In the Vatican Pope Francis prayed for victims of human trafficking and called on governments to act against what he called "the shameful scourge".
Pope Francis to address US Congress
05 Feb Pope Francis will make history in September by becoming the first pontiff to address the US Congress.
Further criticism of Pope's remarks on smacking
07 Feb Marie Collins, the Irish survivor of sexual abuse who advises Pope Francis on child protection, has joined a chorus of dissent following the pontiff's endorsement of what he called "dignified" corporal punishment in the home.
Pope Francis criticised over smacking remarks
06 Feb Germany's Minister for the Family has added her voice to a chorus of criticism of Pope Francis for his defence of corporal punishment in the home.
Mummified monk 'not dead', say Buddhists
05 Feb A 200-year-old mummified monk found in the lotus position in Mongolia is "not dead" and is instead one stage away from becoming a Buddha, it has been claimed.
Pope appoints new Bishop of Waterford and Lismore
02 Feb Pope Francis has appointed Father Alphonsus Cullinan as Bishop of Waterford and Lismore.
New Moderator accuses Fry of 'spiritual blindness'
04 Feb The incoming head of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland has accused Stephen Fry of spiritual blindness.
Irish made 'huge sacrifice' for economic recovery
27 Jan President Michael D Higgins has told the Council of Europe in Strasbourg that Irish citizens have made a huge sacrifice for the recovering economy.
Hostel proposed for Georgian Dublin to go ahead
28 Jan Dublin City Council officials are proposing to go ahead with a plan for a homeless hostel in the capital's Georgian district, despite local objections.
Waterford stimulus package considered by Govt
27 Jan The Government has confirmed that a proposed multi-million euro stimulus package for a number of critical projects in Waterford city and county is being considered.
Numbers seeking asylum in Ireland up 50%
26 Jan There was a 50% increase in the number of people seeking asylum in Ireland last year when compared to 2013, new figures show.
Rise in number suffering deprivation - CSO
21 Jan The proportion of the Republic's population enduring enforced deprivation increased by 13% between 2012 and 2013.
Poll shows reservations on same-sex marriage
25 Jan The latest 'Red C' Sunday Business Post poll has found although a majority of those surveyed intend to vote 'Yes' in the referendum, many have reservations about same-sex marriage.
Wording of same-sex marriage referendum published
21 Jan The wording of the upcoming referendum on same-sex marriage has been published by the Government.
Pope defends ban on artificial contraception
20 Jan Pope Francis has defended the Catholic Church's ban on artificial contraception but said this does not mean Christians should have large, unplanned families.