Light and Time, an exhibition currently at the National Museum of Ireland Collins Barracks, is the Museum's contribution to Hamilton Year 2005: Celebrating Irish Science, the bicentenary of the birth of William Rowan Hamilton, Ireland's greatest scientist. The exhibition examines questions of light and time, their measurement, meaning, relevance and significance. It draws on the scientific instrument collection of the National Museum and other institutions to illustrate these issues and in so doing to focus on the work of Irish scientists and instrument makers.

Terence Wheelock (20) died on the 16 September 2005, three months after he was found unconscious in a cell in Store St Garda station. According to the Garda Síochána Terence tried to hang himself. The Wheelock family said Terence wasn't depressed and had no suicidal tendencies.

The purchase of the Leinster Leader Group and Local Press Ltd by Johnston Press has made it the largest owner of regional and local newspapers on the island of Ireland, with 40 titles.
By Emma Browne

Halting sites without electricity and basic water facilities. Rival Traveller families at one another's throats. Illegal dumps on Travellers' doorsteps. James Byrne visited Traveller homes on the outskirts of Dublin city to see for himself if things were as bad as he had heard. Pictures by Derek Speirs

What they said about riots:

A supermarket survey has shown an 11 per cent increase in the past year in the cost of the average shopping basket, containing beef, milk, eggs, and vegetables. In 2004 the average price for these goods was €18.14; in 2005 it has risen to €20.89. The largest increases were in carrots and milk, with an increase of almost 80 per cent on both these products. The price of milk rose by 21 per cent, yet in the same period the farmer's price has fallen by almost 15 per cent. The average price of carrots went up from 0.88 cent to €1.58.

The Dublin Fire Brigade has been called out at least 50 times to tackle fires in derelict houses on one estate in Loughlinstown this year. The houses on Laurel Avenue in Loughlinstown, according to the fire brigade, were condemned more than two years ago. Of 60 houses in the estate, more than three-quarters of them are boarded up, with half of these now burnt out.

A Sinn Féin banner calling for Irish Unity has been put up for auction on ebay. So far there have been 14 bids for it, the highest at $81. The banner advertises a rally in support of Irish unity on 24 September in Dublin. The banner is currently on display at 58 Parnell Square, Dublin, the office of An Phoblacht newspaper. It measures 30 by 30 feet. All the proceeds from the sale are to go towards the campaign. Bidding ends on 10 September.

ROADS: The National Development Plan (NDP) launched in November 1999 proposed an investment of €5.6 billion on national road improvement between 2000 and 2006. At the end of 2003, it was estimated that this programme would cost not €5.6 billion but €16.4 billion. That is an overrun of €10.8 billion. For 2005, the projected capital expenditure for all projects (roads, hospitals, schools etc) was €6 billion.

The increase in traffic is not just on the roads. Irish airspace is filling up with helicopters, and regulations are thin on the ground.