News Wednesday, January 20, 2010 D PLANS for an inquiry into the collapse of the banking system were last night denounced as a whitewash. The Government revealed proposals for a Commission of Inquiry to uncover the failures that led to the crisis that has cost taxpayers billions of euro. But the proposed investigations, to be held behind closed doors, fall short of Opposition demands for a public inquiry. Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny (pictured) said it would protect insiders, while Labours Eamon Gilmore called it a dodge. Banking inquiry plans under fire Michelle Ryan from Co Westmeath kisses partner Tommy Joyce yesterday after picking up their 7.5million Lotto winnings from the National Lottery headquarters. The couples seven-year- old son, Dylan, chose the lucky numbers from Saturday nights draw and they also won a Match 5 prize, worth 1,839 Picture: PA and finally... A GROUP of surfers claim to be the smelliest in the world... as they surf the polluted waters of Ventana beach in Santiago, Chile. Ten thermoelectric power stations pump dangerous elements including arsenic, sulphur dioxide and mercury into the sea near the beach but, while the water is warm, the stench is unbearable. Woman badly beaten in attack A WOMAN was in a serious condition in hospital yesterday after being beaten across the face and head. The 38-year-old was rushed to the Mater but later transferred to Beaumont Hospital after the late night attack at a flat in Blessington Street in north-inner city Dublin. Garda sealed off the flat to allow for a technical examination and have appealed for witnesses. Meanwhile, in a separate incident, a woman in her 20s suffered injuries to her head and eye after a man wearing a baseball cap and hooded top attacked her. The assault happened in the South Parade area of Waterford City at around 6am yesterday. A DRUG addict who fell off the rails when his long-term partner died of cancer has been sentenced to nine years with two suspended for robbery, attempted robbery and dangerous driving. Ricky Walsh, 31, of St Ronans Green, Clondalkin, pleaded guilty to the charges at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. He has 45 previous convictions and is currently serving a three-year sentence for criminal damage and a number of road traffic offences. Judge Patricia Ryan said she had taken into account efforts Walsh has since made to rehabilitate while awaiting sentence in custody. 9 years for off the rails addict THE baker of Hovis bread was fined 750 (850) after a Baker fined for glove in a loaf woman in Northern Ireland found part of an oven glove baked into a slice. The victim had toasted the white bread and had begun to eat it when she noticed the material. The packet was full of shreds of the hessian-type cloth. Hovis maker Premier Foods, based in Herefordshire in the UK, was fined at Omagh Magistrates Court for selling food to the prejudice of a purchaser and ordered the company to pay costs of 100 after it had earlier pleaded guilty. McGuinness to Adams defence SINN FINs Martin McGuinness backed his under-pressure party leader yesterday over his handling of sex-abuse allegations against his brother. In a strident defence of Gerry Adams actions, Stormonts deputy first minister (pictured) attacked those he claimed were trying to use a deeply personal family matter to undermine the senior republicans political position. Mr McGuinness also insisted he had only become aware of the claims in recent months. homedigest DNA database to act as deterrent LEGISLATION to pave the way for Irelands first DNA database was published yesterday. Under the proposed laws, suspects arrested for serious offences can be forced to give samples from saliva, hair, blood or urine. Crime scene DNA will also be added. Justice Minister Dermot Ahern (pictured) said he hoped the database would act as a deterrent, but civil liberties campaigners were concerned about its impact on privacy and human rights. KILLER QUEENS: The cast of Queen musical We Will Rock You arrive in Dublin ahead of the shows opening in the O2 tonight Affordability up for home buyers By Colm Kelpie HOUSES are more affordable now than at any time in the last 25 years. All-time low interest rates, house prices at 2003 levels and weak con- sumer confidence are giving first- time buyers the chance to get a foot on the property ladder. The Housing Affordability Index from EBS and economic consultants DKM found 13.4 per cent of an av- erage young couples income was going on a mortgage, compared with 26 per cent three years ago. Dara Deering, EBS director of membership business, said property prices had fallen more than a quarter since 2006, giving a boost to first- time buyers. Environmental factors as well as falling prices continue to boost af- fordability, Ms Deering added. Average house prices in the first- time-buyer market nationally stand at 83,000 and 137,000 in Dublin. According to the Index, the pro- portion of first-time buyers grew last year in the third quarter of 2009 it represented 35.6 per cent of all mortgage lending. Elsewhere, academics at NUI Maynooth have claimed more than 300,000 houses are lying empty around the country, disputing Hous- ing Minister Michael Finnerans es- timate last week of 100,000 to 140,000 houses vacant. A chance to get a foot on the property ladder index.html2.html3.html4.html5.html6.html7.html8.html9.html10.html11.html12.html13.html14.html15.html16.html17.html18.html19.html20.html21.html22.html23.html