Don't snub us Dubs, begs X Factor Rebecca

Irish X Factor star Rebecca Creighton (21) is calling on show chiefs to rethink their decision not to hold auditions here in 2011.
She revealed her dismay after it was claimed that Simon Cowell's hit show would be going to Liverpool instead of Ireland -- despite the many stars discovered here by the talent contest.
Belle Amie star Rebecca said she didn't think it was the right move, given the success of Jedward, Mary Byrne and One Direction star Niall Horan.
"There is a lot of talent here," she told the Herald. "There were a thousands of people who queued up for the auditions when they came to Dublin and I remember the last time I went for it, the show came to Belfast when I was 16.
"But there was no way I would have been able to travel over to Manchester or London for it and a lot of Irish people would be in the same position.
PRINCESS
"There were a lot of people at the Dublin auditions who were amazing singers and blew everyone away. Let's just hope they change their decision as it doesn't make any sense."
The pint-sized former hairdresser, who's performing Lipstick with Jedward for next week's Eurosong clash, was propelled into the limelight last August after she queued up for hours at the Croke Park auditions. She was even singled out for praise by pop princess and guest judge Katy Perry who raved about her afterwards on her Twitter page.
"There's ONE star today and her name is Rebecca! Get it girl!
"Thank you Dublin, X Factor & to everyone that auditioned, you were brave!"
The show returned to Dublin in 2010 for the first time in four years after show judge Louis Walsh persuaded Simon Cowell that there was a wealth of untapped talent here.
But it has been claimed that the producers have decided to travel to Liverpool instead of the Emerald Isle for the first round of heats later this year.

CRASH: Girl fights for her life as gardai probe head-on collision

CRASH: Girl fights for her life as gardai probe head-on collision
A ONE-YEAR-OLD baby boy has died and a six-year-old girl is fighting for her life after a head-on collision in Limerick.
Thomas Anthony O'Brien died in the two-vehicle crash between Charleville and O'Rourke's Cross on the N20 in south Co Limerick.
The six-year-old girl, named locally as Joelene Ryan, from Rathkeale, Co Limerick, and believed to be a cousin of Thomas, is battling for her life with serious head injuries.
The tragedy occurred yesterdayat 4.15pm on a straight stretch of road at Rockhill when a Renault Clio, in which the children were travelling, collided into an oncoming white Berlingo van.
Emergency services rushed to the scene, but the boy was declared dead at the Mid-Western Regional Hospital, Limerick.
His mother, Nicola O'Brien (19), who was driving the car, and the six-year-old girl were also in hospital last night. It has been confirmed that the girl is in a critical condition in the hospital intensive care unit.
Ms O'Brien is understood to be in a stable condition.
A male passenger in the van was also hospitalised while the van driver and another passenger escaped unharmed.
It is understood the van, which was carrying three men at the time and was travelling in the Limerick direction,was towing a trailer containing calves. The three men are believed to be from Patrickswell in Co Limerick.

30 crimes of man who said he was beaten by garda

THE alleged victim of a garda beating had around 30 previous convictions including a four year jail term for grievous bodily harm, a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court jury has heard.
The trial of Garda Brendan Whitty, accused of beating the man with his garda baton, heard that the alleged victim threatened to follow the garda home and "smash him up".
Garda Whitty (33), stationed at Kevin Street Garda Station, has pleaded not guilty to assault causing harm to Keith Murphy on Thomas Street, Dublin 2, on September 20, 2007.
The prosecution had previously stated that Mr Murphy died hours after the beating but that his death was from a drug overdose and unrelated to the garda's actions.
Gerard McDonnell of the Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) said Mr Murphy (35) had about 30 previous convictions ranging from minor public order matters to assaults and robberies.
The trial also heard evidence from Garda Fiona Morrison who was on duty at Kevin Street when Garda Whitty brought in Mr Murphy.
She said in a statement that Mr Murphy began to shout abuse saying, "Who the f*** do you think you are?" The trial continues before a jury of six men and six women.