METRO Thursday, October 22, 2009 D bit of a trek A GALAXY cluster some 10.2billion light years away has been named as the furthest from Earth ever found. The group of galaxies, known as JKCS041, beats the previous record holder by around a billion light years. The bunch, containing hundreds of galaxies, appears as it was when Earth was only a quarter of its present age. Galaxy clusters are the largest gravitationally-bound objects in the Universe. the heel-good factor Ruth ONeill and Miriam OCallaghan get leggy for the Fabulous Heels That Heal high-heel charity walk in aid of Wellbeing of Women! The walk takes place in Dundrum Town Centre on October 31 cost of first time buyer mortgages half that of 2006By ROSS McDONAGH More affordable: First homes MORTGAGES have become more than 50 per cent more affordable in the space of three years. By December, first-time buyers will be spending 13 per cent of their net income on their mortgage, compared to 2006 when couples were spending 26.4 per cent. The EBS DKM HousingAffordabil- ity Index measures the proportion of after tax income required to meet first year mortgage repayments for an average first-time buyer working couple. The Index predicts that FTB mort- gage repayments will fall by 44 per cent or 539 in the two years to December 2009. Dara Deering, director of member- ship business with EBS Building So- ciety said: While there continues to be a lack of clarity about how far the market has yet to fall, the reality is that for many first-time buyers, and indeed second-time buyers, the home that they want, in a location that is suitable for them is likely to be very competitively priced at the moment. Applications for mortgages are on the increase, she said, which indicates more people are considering taking advantage of current prices. Piba, the countrys largest group of independent brokers, said the figures were a very positive signal, but that there was still a major problem with lenders not lending and irrational new criteria being introduced for those seeking mortgages. The Government must step in with measures that will restore balanced and responsible lending, before severe damage is done to the economy and to Irish society, said Rachel Doyle, di- rector of Piba Mortgage Services. Unless these issues are tackled re- covery will be needlessly prolonged, Ms Doyle said. Last months Central Bank figures showed a decline in net mortgage lending in August of 84 million, following a 71m drop in July and first-time buyers were hardest hit by the lack of lending, she added. Ahern: DPP advice report on abuse is delayed again A HIGH Court judge is to examine a damning report of child sex abuse in the Dublin Archdiocese for a second time amid fears it may prejudice prosecutions. Justice minister Dermot Ahern yesterday said he was sending the report back after clear advice from the Attorney General and Director of Public Prosecutions. The court ruled last week that all but one section could be published, with chapter 19 fully censored and references to a priest and victims hidden. But Mr Ahern revealed the DPP raised concerns over a second issue as government officials prepared the report for publication. I want to reiterate my strong desire to see this report published as soon as possible, the Mr Ahern said, adding it was imperative to ensure that nothing is done which would allow any of the perpetrators to walk free. DID YOU KNOW? SNOWBALL fights were banned among Confederate troops during the American Civil War after a 9,000-soldier fight with rocks in the snowballs caused some injuries. Funds: Plan will remove financial hurdles 800m North fund revealed by brown GORDON Brown yesterday unveiled a nearly 800million (884.4m) plan to devolve policing and justice powers to the Northern Ireland Assembly, promising further aid if paramilitary violence erupts. The British prime minister held talks with First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness on a deal to see unionists and republicans share responsibility for Northern Irelands justice system. Mr Browns plan is aimed at removing financial hurdles to a final political agreement. thief stole on way to police station A MAN about to face questioning over theft got himself in even more trouble by squeezing in another robbery on the way to the police station. It was a case of just nipping out to do a bit of thieving before being interrogated for shoplifting, said police in Lippe, Germany, who arrested the 41-year-old. MENU the Home Digest 4 Guilty Pleasures Celebrity gossip 8 Letters 10 World Digest 11 MetroLife Arts and entertainment 12-13 60 Second Interview Buccaneer Captain Morgan 14 TV 14-15 Puzzles 18 Classifieds 16-17&19-20 Sport 21-24 Help keep Dublin clean and tidy for everyone by taking your Metro with you and recycling it TODAy: Mild with more rain, heavy at times. Max: 14C TOMORROW: Rain will ease with dry, bright spells. Max: 14C LOTTO WEDNESDAyS DRAW 03 10 19 20 23 39 Bonus: 22 Plus 1: 12 20 24 27 39 45 Bonus: 07 Plus 2: 03 12 32 34 35 39 Bonus: 15 METRO Weather inquiry after plane prop is smashed AN INVESTIGATION has been sparked after a propeller on an Aer Arann aircraft was damaged when it hit a docking guidance mirror while parking at Manchester airport. Aer Arann has launched an inquiry into the incident after the flight from Galway landed at Terminal 1. Operations were not affected by the incident and a replacement airplane was sent. As a precaution, the airport fire service was called to the scene. There were 32 passengers and four crew on board at the time of the incident, but no-one was injured. Students score after grade review NEW third-level courses will be offered to some 44 students after changes in the marking scheme of the Leaving Certificate biology paper led to an upgrade in results. More than 600 students had their Leaving Cert biology results upgraded following a review of the marking scheme by the State Examinations Commission (SEC). The SEC decided to revise the marking scheme of the higher-level paper on foot of a problem raised during the examinations appeal process. Mother found daughters bodyA MOTHER discovered the battered, naked body of her pregnant daughter hours after she was murdered by her former partner, a court heard yesterday. Jean Quigley was beaten and strangled at her home in Cornshell Fields, Derry on July 26 last year. Her ex- lover, Stephen Cahoon, is accused of murdering the mother-of-four and is making legal history as the first person to face a jury in Ireland for a non-terrorist related offence in Northern Ireland. The 37-year-old, who admits killing Ms Quigley but denies murder, opted to have his trial in the Republic following his arrest in Donegal. A jury at Dublins Central Criminal Court heard Cahoon, of Harvey Street, Derry, called at his former girlfriends home in the Shantallow area of the city following a night out. Ms Quigley was alone at the time but the jury was told neighbours heard wailing and a mans voice coming from the house in the early hours of the morning. The next day, relatives were unable to contact the 30-year- old and called at her home after growing concerned. Ms Quigleys mother Emma used a spare key to let herself into the house. She went into her bedroom and she saw the naked body of her daughter, battered and bruised, the prosecution lawyer said. Ms Quigley had no pulse and was pronounced dead at the scene by a doctor who arrived shortly after, 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.html24.html25.html26.html27.html