Today's top Irish news stories:

Irish drugs mule to escape full trial and benefit from early release in Peru

Irish drug mule Michaella McCollum Connolly and Scottish pal Melissa Reid are to escape a full trial and are likely to have their prison sentence in Peru reduced...READ MORE

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Sarah Palin is saving Christmas

Right wing quote factory Sarah Palin this week announced when it comes to Christmas she shares the same sentiments as some of her sometime paymasters at Fox News: there is indeed a war on the most wonderful time of the year...READ MORE

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Shirley MacLaine and Billy Joel among John F. Kennedy Center honorees

The United States celebrated the careers of five extraordinary artists as the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts honored Martina Arroyo, Herbie Hancock, Billy Joel, Shirley MacLaine, and Carlos Santana...READ MORE

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Top Christmas Irish ads that will be bring a tear to your eye (VIDEOS)

It might sound completely crazy but when you flick through some of the adverts below you’ll find yourself holding back a tear...READ MORE

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An open letter in strong defence of capitalism to Pope Francis

Dear Pope Francis,

God bless you and your work to shift the emphasis of the Church away from the rules and regulations and the “thou shalt not’s”, and back toward love of God, and love of neighbor...READ MORE

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