US unlikely to back UK trade deal that undermines Ireland's open borders - Varadkar

The Taoiseach does not believe US Congress will agree to any post-Brexit trade deal with the UK that undermines Ireland’s open border.

Leo Varadkar was speaking after the Government published a "landmark" package of legislation aimed at limiting the damage of a potential ‘no-deal’ Brexit.

With just 35 days to go until the UK leaves the bloc, there is still no deal in sight.

The UK is looking for legally binding changes to the Irish border backstop – something the EU has consistently rejected.

Government publishes Brexit omnibus bill

The Government has published proposals aimed at limiting the effects of a no-deal Brexit this morning.

The "landmark" Brexit omnibus bill is aimed at trying to limit the damage done if the UK crashes out of the EU without a deal next month.

Tánaiste Simon Coveney described it as a "root and branch trawl of our laws" to figure out what changes are needed to deal with a worst-case scenario Brexit.

He said the bill's aimed at maintaining what currently works - but insisted a disorderly Brexit would still be a "lose, lose, lose" situation for the UK, the EU and Ireland.

Dog-breeder jailed for three years over "horrific" case of animal cruelty in County Carlow

A man has been sentenced to three years in prison for animal cruelty after hundreds of dogs and 11 horses were found living in “appalling conditions” on his County Carlow farm.

The ISPCA said the animals were living in “harrowing” conditions on the farm in Myshall, with many suffering from untreated injuries with chronic skin, eye and teeth problems.

Many had infected paws and heavily matted fur from living in urine-soaked straw.

The animal welfare organisation said Judge James McCourt, who handed down the sentence, commented: “Words fail me to describe what those pictures depict. It is extraordinary to find someone of farming stock guilty of such an appalling crime best illustrated by the video footage we sat through this morning and photographs presented to the court.”

R Kelly charged with ten counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse

Singer R Kelly is due to appear in court tomorrow after being charged with 10 counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse.

The 52-year-old was charged in Illinois this morning.

The charges command sentences of between three and seven years per count - meaning the singer could face up to 70 years in prison if convicted.

The alleged abuse happened between September 26th 1998 and February 18th 2003.

'House of Horrors' parents plead guilty to torture and abuse charges

The 'House of Horrors' parents who shackled some of their 13 children to beds and starved them have pleaded guilty to charges of torture and abuse.

David Allen Turpin and his wife Louise Anna Turpin were arrested after their 17-year-old daughter escaped from their home outside Los Angeles and alerted police.

She was one of 13 siblings, aged between two and 29-year-old who had been starved and abused at the house, later dubbed the ‘House of Horrors.’

The parents have today pleaded guilty to 14 counts including abusing minor and adult children and imprisoning them in their house.