07.01.2010 e-metro.ie Ireland captain Brian ODriscoll has been voted Rugby World magazines player of the decade, exactly ten years after he made his Six Nations debut with a stunning hat-trick of tries against France P32 SPORT ODriscoll is player of decade Small Irish businesses are being warned to be vigilant as the latest wave of a multi-million-euro international internet scam hits Ireland, with one Labour TD almost falling victim to the fraud P25 BuSineSS Firms target of net scam Road safety chiefs are urging ex- treme caution, with temperatures barely creeping above freezing before plummeting again to keep roads and footpaths covered in sheets of ice. All flights at Dublin Airport were suspended for several hours yesterday as crews cleared the runways of snow and ice, while all Bus ireann and Dublin Bus services were suspended the latters website also collapsing under the flurry of traffic. Dublin Bus hopes to have services resumed this morning, following ex- tensive road gritting. Irelands rail network, meanwhile, managed to remain open, with Iarn- rd ireann workers manning strate- gic locations along their tracks to keep points clear of snow. Dublin City Council director of traf- fic and city engineer Michael Phillips insisted proper preparations for the roads had taken place, but the unpre- dictability of the snow and commut- ers reactions to it were causing problems for the gritters. He added that maintenance crews were working through the night to ensure the main roads are usable, and urged people to take public transport even though it was unknown whether services would be running at all. The Defence Force has also been called into action, with the Air Corps air ambulance summoned four times in 24 hours to transport patients, mainly pregnant women, stranded by freezing conditions and snow. This is better than school: Joe and Sally Gleeson make the most of the cold weather in Dublins Phoenix Park yesterday Picture: PA Big freeze to go on for ten days COMMUTERS will be at the mercy of Irelands worst winter in 30 years for at least another ten days. The countrys transport network froze to a halt yesterday as planes were grounded, buses halted and cars were abandoned amid treacherous conditions. And meteorologists have warned that conditions will not improve be- fore the end of next week. Heavy snow showers as well as thun- der and lightning hit the east coast yes- terday, with more expected today. By Ross McDonagh FREE COFFEE TO CELEBRATE LAUNCH OF METRO HERALD See Page 21 A young Irish backpacker due to return home to celebrate his 23rd birthday next month has been killed in an accident in Australia. Donal Bolton from Co Offaly was sitting on a bench with his girlfriend when a car ploughed into them P11 newS Irishman in tragic Oz accident Pogues singer Shane MacGowan has revealed he can live without sleep for a week when he is on one of his boozy benders. The frontman said eventually he simply crashes out when he becomes too tired and then begins drinking again P10 newS MacGowan: I go without sleep Funnyman Russell Brand has popped the question to girlfriend Katy Perry during a spiritual ceremony while travelling in India during the festive season and also had their relationship blessed by a love guru P12 GuiLTY PLeASuReS Russell to wed Katy Weather news P4, 5, 6 & 7 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.html28.html29.html30.html31.html