METRO Tuesday, September 15, 2009 D VOLUNTEER & TEACH ABROAD PROGRAMMES Thailand China Costa Rica India Call Sarah: 01 602 1685 email: volunteer@usit.ie www.usit.ie Protesters besiege Fianna Fil think-in TAOISEACH Brian Cowen yesterday bullishly predicted a turnaround in the economy by next year as he at- tempted to claw back confidence in his own partys ranks. In a rallying speech at the Fianna Fil think-in, Mr Cowen admitted he had made mistakes, but insisted he could rescue the country within the lifetime of this government. Security was tight at the two-day event in the Hodson Bay Hotel outside Athlone after hundreds of protesting farmers attempted to storm the hotel. Garda were forced to lock it down when around 200 demonstrators, an- gry at agriculture cutbacks, broke through security barriers as Finance Minister Brian Lenihan arrived. About 50 garda, including riot of- ficers with batons drawn, fought to contain the surge as plain clothes de- tectives ushered Mr Lenihan inside. One protester was rugby-tackled to the ground as he ran towards the hotel while another bus-load of farmers By Brian hutton anger: Garda in riot gear corral angry farmers after they attempted to storm the building housing the party think-in Pictures: Kenneth OHalloran/PA A THEME park has introduced a speed dating service on its rollercoasters. Single men and women taking part in the scheme at Alton Towers Resort in Staffordshire, England, will be paired up as they queue for rides. With some of the rides lasting just 49 seconds, the park has hailed the rollercoaster scheme as the worlds fastest date. BESIEGED developer Liam Carrolls (pictured) Zoe group of companies is to appeal a High Court decision rejecting the groups bid for court protection. This will be the second time the group has appealed a High Court ruling rejecting court protection and the appointment of an examiner. Zoe group to appeal THREE men were arrested yesterday as they attempted to rob a luxury hotel. The gang, all aged in their 30s, entered the premises at about 5am armed with a screwdriver and threatened staff. The raid was foiled after garda on patrol spotted suspicious activity outside the Marriott Johnstown Hotel near Enfield, Co Meath. One man was arrested at the hotel and two others, who fled, were later detained. 3 held after foiled raid WEDDInG BELLE: Daniel, three, and Sophie Kelly, 18months at the launch of the Radisson Blu Stillorgan Wedding Fair taking place on Sunday Picture: Maxwells THE operators of the new national Convention Centre in Dublin say 26 events are already confirmed for the venue. The 380million centre on the north quays, configured to accommodate conferences of up to 8,000 delegates in 22 purpose-built meeting rooms, is still being constructed and isnt due to open for another year. The operators say the events confirmed so far will generate 65.8million for the economy. Centre claims bookings RYAn TUBRIDYs (pictured) Late Late Show success continued last Friday night with his second outing watched by nearly 1.5million viewers over the whole show. The line-up included actor John Hurt and his brother Anslem, a monk from Glenstal Abbey, whose appearance on the show caused a viewer peak of 871,000. Tubridys Late Late a hit AnGLO Irish Bank has hired Citigroup Cn executive Peter Rossiter as chief risk officer to beef up its board and rebuild trust after a slew of scandals. The move comes after the nationalised lender appointed Mike Aynsley in August as its new chief executive. A range of changes in the banks upper echelons after scandals over tens of millions of euro in director loans are expected to boost confidence in the bank. New risk officer for bank DEPUTY First Minister Martin McGuinness yesterday warned that almost 5billion of loans could be at risk in northern Ireland once the nama bank for bad debts is established. Mr McGuinness (pictured) said there was concern that a fire sale of land by the state body could damage the nI economy. 5bn at risk from Nama METRODigest Council denies city bikes damage DUBLIN City Council has denied reports that some of its bikes for hire have been vandalised. There are fears that the dublinbikes scheme which launched on Sunday, would suffer the same fate as the Velib in Paris, where bikes were frequently stolen, vandalised or thrown in the River Seine. The council said reports that at least four bikes were recalled from the citys northside on the first day because of malicious damage were inaccurate. It said that 1,150 journeys were made on Sunday, and that the only damage were punctures suffered through normal use. Cyclists who get punctures can phone a dedicated number and a crew will be sent to fix it free of charge. A council spokesman said 2,500 people had signed up to the scheme, which provides 450 bikes at 40 stations across the city.Saddled up: City cyclists Funny? Conor Lenihan and Willie oDea share a giggle ahead of the party think-in Brian Lenihan and Dermot ahern have a chat, left, and Brian Cowen prepares for his speech riot officers fought to contain demonstrators that had just arrived were prevented from leaving the coach. Tensions were eased only after FF officials vowed to arrange a meeting between Irish Farmers Association (IFA) president Padraig Walshe and Agriculture Minister Brendan Smith. A high-profile Garda security oper- ation, including three vehicle check- points on the way into the hotel and water unit patrols of the surrounding Lough Ree, remains in place. Inside the hotel, Mr Cowen attempt- ed to shore up trust from his party, which is languishing at a historic low in recent voter opinion polls. The party leader said it was Fianna Fils patriotic responsibility to res- cue Ireland from the economic crisis. Vowing to return the country to prosperity within the lifetime of this government, he forecast a return to modest economic growth by the sec- ond half of next year. Insisting the public had to be per- suaded to bite the bullet now instead of putting off painful cutbacks, Mr Cowen repeatedly warned the upcom- ing Budget would be tough. If we do what is right in the short term, we can get through this, he added. index.html2.html3.html4.html5.html6.html7.html8.html9.html10.html11.html12.html13.html14.html15.html16.html17.html18.html19.html20.html21.html22.html23.html