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National News Briefs

Man (21) dies in Dublin collision

A 21-year-old man has died after a crash in Dublin this morning.

He was a passenger in a car which left the road and collided with a tree on the Hartstown Road in the early hours of this morning.

The driver of the vehicle, a 24-year-old man, has been brought to James Connolly Memorial Hospital in Blanchardstown, where his condition is described as serious.

The scene remains closed for forensic tests to be carried out this morning.

Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to come forward.
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Man dies after tractor accident in Cavan

A man has died after his tractor left the road and overturned in County Cavan.

It happened on the Cootehill to Mountain Lodge Road at 7.50pm last night.

The man, in his 50s, was taken to Cavan General Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Gardaí have closed off the road to allow an examination by forensic collision investigators, and diversions are in place.

Anyone who witnessed the incident is being asked to contact gardaí at Bailieboro.
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Parents given choice over how schools are run

Parents are being given the chance to choose how their local school is run.

In a new step for the Department of Education, five parts of the country - Arklow, Castlebar, Tramore, Trim and Whitehall - are beginning a survey which will cover the type of patron the school should have, whether it should be single sex or co-ed, and whether it should be run through English or Irish.

Thirty-nine other areas where a potential demand for greater educational diversity has been highlighted will also get the chance to vote in the future.

At the moment, the Catholic Church controls 92% of the country's schools.
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Boy to be sentenced for rape of 15-year-old in Dublin

A boy who was 15-years-old when he raped a girl at a teenage house party in Dublin last year is to be sentenced at the Central Criminal Court.

The now 16-year-old, who can not be identified for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to raping the then 15-year-old girl in a bedroom on March 5, 2011.

During the evening the young woman drank four bottles of Budweiser and went upstairs to a bedroom at about 2am to go asleep.

The girl said the accused boy came into the room shortly afterwards and pulled down her trousers and told her “This is what you want'' before raping her.

The girl said she was crying and calling her friends but the music in the house was very loud.

Afterwards a girl at the party raised the alarm by knocking on a neighbour’s door.

The court heard the rape has had a profound effect on the victim who asked her parents to move away from the area.

The boy now aged 16 is to be sentenced today … his lawyers say that the Children's Act 2001 indicates that a period of detention should only be imposed on a child as a measure of last resort.
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Over 1.85m living off €100 or less after bills are paid

More than 1.85m people across Ireland have €100 or less to live on at the end of the month, once they have paid all their bills.

That is according to the latest 'What's left' tracker survey from the Irish League of Credit Unions.

The figure has risen by 35,000 since the last study in June.

Today's research also shows 70% of people can't put any money aside as savings.
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Gilmore to discuss African trade opportunities

The Tánaiste will today discuss African trade opportunities with 120 Irish business leaders.

Speaking ahead of his address, Eamon Gilmore said Africa is developing faster now than ever before which means new trade and investment opportunities are opening up.

It is believed that Ireland's pharmaceutical, construction and information technology sectors can all benefit from stronger links to states such as Ghana and Nigeria.

Minister of State for Trade and development Joe Costello, who will open the event, will lead a trade mission to West Africa and South Africa next month.
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