Taking vitamin D supplements could help more than three million people a year stave off colds and flu, according to new research.
Scientists at Queen Mary University of London claim that taking the so-called "sunshine vitamin" may have benefits beyond bone and muscle health and could protect against acute respiratory infections.
They analysed data from 11,000 people across 25 trials in 14 countries, including the UK, and concluded that vitamin D can help prevent infections.
"Assuming a UK population of 65 million and that 70% have at least one acute respiratory infection each year, then daily or weekly vitamin D supplements will mean 3.25 million fewer people would get at least one acute respiratory infection a year," said report author Professor Adrian Martineau.
Experts said that the study had implications for public health policy, including the possibility of fortification of foods with vitamin D to tackle high levels of deficiency in the UK.
Mr Martineau added: "The bottom line is that the protective effects of vitamin D supplementation are strongest in those who have the lowest vitamin D levels and when supplementation is given daily or weekly rather than in more widely spaced doses.
"Vitamin D fortification of foods provides a steady, low-level intake of vitamin D that has virtually eliminated profound vitamin D deficiency in several countries."
But baker John Townshend said he believes that vitamin D should not be added to bread, regardless of any purported health benefits.
"Bread should be made from flour, water and salt and nothing else, that's my view," he told Sky News from his Kennington bakery in central London.
"I don't agree with adding in vitamins. It's the wrong approach and it's really not necessary. We need to get back to taking ingredients out, not adding more in."
The supplements have been a hot topic in medical circles in recent years with some experts arguing their usefulness remains uncertain.
Last year, Public Health England said people were generally not getting the recommended 10 micrograms of vitamin D a day from sunlight in winter.
Professor Louis Levy, head of nutrition science at PHE, said: "The evidence on vitamin D and infection is inconsistent and this study does not provide sufficient evidence to support recommending vitamin D for reducing the risk of respiratory tract infections."
The study's results fit with the observation that colds and flu are most common during winter and spring, when levels of vitamin D are at their lowest.
Respiratory tract infections affect the sinuses, throat, airways or lungs and can last up to 30 days.
At least 70% of the population gets at least one acute respiratory infection every year. And about a quarter of the UK population will visit the GP each year to get treatment.
Wednesday, February 15, 2017
Kim Jong-Nam killing: Woman with Indonesian passport arrested
A second woman has been arrested in connection with the killing of Kim Jong-Un's half-brother.
Police said the suspect was found with an Indonesian passport that names her as Siti Aishah, age 25.
She was identified from CCTV footage recorded at Kuala Lumpur airport.
Kim Jong-Nam, 45, was killed at the airport on Monday as he waited to catch a flight - two women are believed to be responsible.
They are thought to have used poisoned needles, a poisoned spray or a poison-laced cloth.
South Korean officials have said it was an assassination ordered by the North Korean regime.
Another female suspect, holding Vietnam travel papers, was detained on Wednesday. CCTV images show her wearing a sweatshirt with "LOL" on the front.
The suspects are believed to have fled in a taxi after the attack.
North Korean diplomats, including the ambassador, turned up at Kim Jong-Nam's post-mortem on Wednesday and demanded the body.
Malaysian officials refused, forcing a fleet of diplomatic cars to leave the hospital empty handed.
There is speculation it was an attempt at damage limitation - to prevent as much detail as possible becoming public about a state-sponsored murder.
Police said the first woman arrested was identified on travel documents as 28-year-old Doan Thi Huong and was again "positively identified" from airport CCTV.
:: North Korea's long history of assassinations
Kim Jong-Nam was known to advocate reform of North Korea's authoritarian regime and opposed its dynastic succession policy.
However, he never defected or led a campaign against his younger sibling.
South Korean intelligence chiefs believe his killing was an assassination ordered by Kim Jong-Un some time ago because he perceived his half-brother to be a threat.
They said there had been a failed attempt in 2012.
The North Korean leader has overseen a purge of various "traitors", including his uncle General Jang Song-Thaek, who was executed by machine gun in December 2013.
Kim Jong-Nam is the son of Song Hye-Rim, a South Korean-born actress who is believed to have been a mistress of Kim Jong-Il.
Understood to be heir apparent as eldest son, he is thought to have been overlooked after a botched attempt to enter Japan in May 2001 on a forged passport.
He claimed he wanted to visit Disney's Tokyo resort, but the incident embarrassed his father and Kim Jong-Un was selected at his successor.
Following the scandal, Kim Jong-Nam and his family lived in Macau, Singapore and China.
Police said the suspect was found with an Indonesian passport that names her as Siti Aishah, age 25.
She was identified from CCTV footage recorded at Kuala Lumpur airport.
Kim Jong-Nam, 45, was killed at the airport on Monday as he waited to catch a flight - two women are believed to be responsible.
They are thought to have used poisoned needles, a poisoned spray or a poison-laced cloth.
South Korean officials have said it was an assassination ordered by the North Korean regime.
Another female suspect, holding Vietnam travel papers, was detained on Wednesday. CCTV images show her wearing a sweatshirt with "LOL" on the front.
The suspects are believed to have fled in a taxi after the attack.
North Korean diplomats, including the ambassador, turned up at Kim Jong-Nam's post-mortem on Wednesday and demanded the body.
Malaysian officials refused, forcing a fleet of diplomatic cars to leave the hospital empty handed.
There is speculation it was an attempt at damage limitation - to prevent as much detail as possible becoming public about a state-sponsored murder.
Police said the first woman arrested was identified on travel documents as 28-year-old Doan Thi Huong and was again "positively identified" from airport CCTV.
:: North Korea's long history of assassinations
Kim Jong-Nam was known to advocate reform of North Korea's authoritarian regime and opposed its dynastic succession policy.
However, he never defected or led a campaign against his younger sibling.
South Korean intelligence chiefs believe his killing was an assassination ordered by Kim Jong-Un some time ago because he perceived his half-brother to be a threat.
They said there had been a failed attempt in 2012.
The North Korean leader has overseen a purge of various "traitors", including his uncle General Jang Song-Thaek, who was executed by machine gun in December 2013.
Kim Jong-Nam is the son of Song Hye-Rim, a South Korean-born actress who is believed to have been a mistress of Kim Jong-Il.
Understood to be heir apparent as eldest son, he is thought to have been overlooked after a botched attempt to enter Japan in May 2001 on a forged passport.
He claimed he wanted to visit Disney's Tokyo resort, but the incident embarrassed his father and Kim Jong-Un was selected at his successor.
Following the scandal, Kim Jong-Nam and his family lived in Macau, Singapore and China.
Kim Jong-Nam killing: Woman with Indonesian passport arrested
A second woman has been arrested in connection with the killing of Kim Jong-Un's half-brother.
Police said the suspect was found with an Indonesian passport that names her as Siti Aishah, age 25.
She was identified from CCTV footage recorded at Kuala Lumpur airport.
Kim Jong-Nam, 45, was killed at the airport on Monday as he waited to catch a flight - two women are believed to be responsible.
They are thought to have used poisoned needles, a poisoned spray or a poison-laced cloth.
South Korean officials have said it was an assassination ordered by the North Korean regime.
Another female suspect, holding Vietnam travel papers, was detained on Wednesday. CCTV images show her wearing a sweatshirt with "LOL" on the front.
The suspects are believed to have fled in a taxi after the attack.
North Korean diplomats, including the ambassador, turned up at Kim Jong-Nam's post-mortem on Wednesday and demanded the body.
Malaysian officials refused, forcing a fleet of diplomatic cars to leave the hospital empty handed.
There is speculation it was an attempt at damage limitation - to prevent as much detail as possible becoming public about a state-sponsored murder.
Police said the first woman arrested was identified on travel documents as 28-year-old Doan Thi Huong and was again "positively identified" from airport CCTV.
:: North Korea's long history of assassinations
Kim Jong-Nam was known to advocate reform of North Korea's authoritarian regime and opposed its dynastic succession policy.
However, he never defected or led a campaign against his younger sibling.
South Korean intelligence chiefs believe his killing was an assassination ordered by Kim Jong-Un some time ago because he perceived his half-brother to be a threat.
They said there had been a failed attempt in 2012.
The North Korean leader has overseen a purge of various "traitors", including his uncle General Jang Song-Thaek, who was executed by machine gun in December 2013.
Kim Jong-Nam is the son of Song Hye-Rim, a South Korean-born actress who is believed to have been a mistress of Kim Jong-Il.
Understood to be heir apparent as eldest son, he is thought to have been overlooked after a botched attempt to enter Japan in May 2001 on a forged passport.
He claimed he wanted to visit Disney's Tokyo resort, but the incident embarrassed his father and Kim Jong-Un was selected at his successor.
Following the scandal, Kim Jong-Nam and his family lived in Macau, Singapore and China.
Police said the suspect was found with an Indonesian passport that names her as Siti Aishah, age 25.
She was identified from CCTV footage recorded at Kuala Lumpur airport.
Kim Jong-Nam, 45, was killed at the airport on Monday as he waited to catch a flight - two women are believed to be responsible.
They are thought to have used poisoned needles, a poisoned spray or a poison-laced cloth.
South Korean officials have said it was an assassination ordered by the North Korean regime.
Another female suspect, holding Vietnam travel papers, was detained on Wednesday. CCTV images show her wearing a sweatshirt with "LOL" on the front.
The suspects are believed to have fled in a taxi after the attack.
North Korean diplomats, including the ambassador, turned up at Kim Jong-Nam's post-mortem on Wednesday and demanded the body.
Malaysian officials refused, forcing a fleet of diplomatic cars to leave the hospital empty handed.
There is speculation it was an attempt at damage limitation - to prevent as much detail as possible becoming public about a state-sponsored murder.
Police said the first woman arrested was identified on travel documents as 28-year-old Doan Thi Huong and was again "positively identified" from airport CCTV.
:: North Korea's long history of assassinations
Kim Jong-Nam was known to advocate reform of North Korea's authoritarian regime and opposed its dynastic succession policy.
However, he never defected or led a campaign against his younger sibling.
South Korean intelligence chiefs believe his killing was an assassination ordered by Kim Jong-Un some time ago because he perceived his half-brother to be a threat.
They said there had been a failed attempt in 2012.
The North Korean leader has overseen a purge of various "traitors", including his uncle General Jang Song-Thaek, who was executed by machine gun in December 2013.
Kim Jong-Nam is the son of Song Hye-Rim, a South Korean-born actress who is believed to have been a mistress of Kim Jong-Il.
Understood to be heir apparent as eldest son, he is thought to have been overlooked after a botched attempt to enter Japan in May 2001 on a forged passport.
He claimed he wanted to visit Disney's Tokyo resort, but the incident embarrassed his father and Kim Jong-Un was selected at his successor.
Following the scandal, Kim Jong-Nam and his family lived in Macau, Singapore and China.
Kim Jong-Nam killing: Woman with Indonesian passport arrested
A second woman has been arrested in connection with the killing of Kim Jong-Un's half-brother.
Police said the suspect was found with an Indonesian passport that names her as Siti Aishah, age 25.
She was identified from CCTV footage recorded at Kuala Lumpur airport.
Kim Jong-Nam, 45, was killed at the airport on Monday as he waited to catch a flight - two women are believed to be responsible.
They are thought to have used poisoned needles, a poisoned spray or a poison-laced cloth.
South Korean officials have said it was an assassination ordered by the North Korean regime.
Another female suspect, holding Vietnam travel papers, was detained on Wednesday. CCTV images show her wearing a sweatshirt with "LOL" on the front.
The suspects are believed to have fled in a taxi after the attack.
North Korean diplomats, including the ambassador, turned up at Kim Jong-Nam's post-mortem on Wednesday and demanded the body.
Malaysian officials refused, forcing a fleet of diplomatic cars to leave the hospital empty handed.
There is speculation it was an attempt at damage limitation - to prevent as much detail as possible becoming public about a state-sponsored murder.
Police said the first woman arrested was identified on travel documents as 28-year-old Doan Thi Huong and was again "positively identified" from airport CCTV.
:: North Korea's long history of assassinations
Kim Jong-Nam was known to advocate reform of North Korea's authoritarian regime and opposed its dynastic succession policy.
However, he never defected or led a campaign against his younger sibling.
South Korean intelligence chiefs believe his killing was an assassination ordered by Kim Jong-Un some time ago because he perceived his half-brother to be a threat.
They said there had been a failed attempt in 2012.
The North Korean leader has overseen a purge of various "traitors", including his uncle General Jang Song-Thaek, who was executed by machine gun in December 2013.
Kim Jong-Nam is the son of Song Hye-Rim, a South Korean-born actress who is believed to have been a mistress of Kim Jong-Il.
Understood to be heir apparent as eldest son, he is thought to have been overlooked after a botched attempt to enter Japan in May 2001 on a forged passport.
He claimed he wanted to visit Disney's Tokyo resort, but the incident embarrassed his father and Kim Jong-Un was selected at his successor.
Following the scandal, Kim Jong-Nam and his family lived in Macau, Singapore and China.
Police said the suspect was found with an Indonesian passport that names her as Siti Aishah, age 25.
She was identified from CCTV footage recorded at Kuala Lumpur airport.
Kim Jong-Nam, 45, was killed at the airport on Monday as he waited to catch a flight - two women are believed to be responsible.
They are thought to have used poisoned needles, a poisoned spray or a poison-laced cloth.
South Korean officials have said it was an assassination ordered by the North Korean regime.
Another female suspect, holding Vietnam travel papers, was detained on Wednesday. CCTV images show her wearing a sweatshirt with "LOL" on the front.
The suspects are believed to have fled in a taxi after the attack.
North Korean diplomats, including the ambassador, turned up at Kim Jong-Nam's post-mortem on Wednesday and demanded the body.
Malaysian officials refused, forcing a fleet of diplomatic cars to leave the hospital empty handed.
There is speculation it was an attempt at damage limitation - to prevent as much detail as possible becoming public about a state-sponsored murder.
Police said the first woman arrested was identified on travel documents as 28-year-old Doan Thi Huong and was again "positively identified" from airport CCTV.
:: North Korea's long history of assassinations
Kim Jong-Nam was known to advocate reform of North Korea's authoritarian regime and opposed its dynastic succession policy.
However, he never defected or led a campaign against his younger sibling.
South Korean intelligence chiefs believe his killing was an assassination ordered by Kim Jong-Un some time ago because he perceived his half-brother to be a threat.
They said there had been a failed attempt in 2012.
The North Korean leader has overseen a purge of various "traitors", including his uncle General Jang Song-Thaek, who was executed by machine gun in December 2013.
Kim Jong-Nam is the son of Song Hye-Rim, a South Korean-born actress who is believed to have been a mistress of Kim Jong-Il.
Understood to be heir apparent as eldest son, he is thought to have been overlooked after a botched attempt to enter Japan in May 2001 on a forged passport.
He claimed he wanted to visit Disney's Tokyo resort, but the incident embarrassed his father and Kim Jong-Un was selected at his successor.
Following the scandal, Kim Jong-Nam and his family lived in Macau, Singapore and China.
President Trump defends 'wonderful' Flynn who was 'treated unfairly'
President Donald Trump says former national security adviser Michael Flynn, who quit over links with Russia, is a "wonderful man".
The US leader said retired army general Flynn had been treated "very, very unfairly by the media", including what he called "fake media".
He said it was "really a sad thing", as he hit out at alleged leaks of papers by the US intelligence services, saying the "leaks" were "criminal acts".
Gen Flynn resigned on Monday - less than a month into the job - after he allegedly discussed US sanctions against Moscow with Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak in a phone call late last year.
On Tuesday, Mr Trump's spokesman Sean Spicer said the President had lost trust in Gen Flynn and had been "very concerned" he misled Vice President Mike Pence and others.
Mr Spicer said Gen Flynn forgot "critical details" about his phone call, creating "a critical mass and an unsustainable situation".
Mr Spicer said: "The President was very concerned that General Flynn had misled the Vice President and others.
"The evolving and eroding level of trust as a result of this situation and a series of other questionable instances is what led the President to ask for Gen Flynn's resignation."
Gen Flynn has apologised for giving Mr Pence and others "incomplete information" about the call, which happened on 29 December - the same day President Obama announced new sanctions on Russia.
The conversation took place before Gen Flynn took up his NSA post and also before Mr Trump was inaugurated as president.
Under the Logan Act, it is illegal for an unauthorised citizen to conduct diplomacy on behalf of the US.
But the press secretary insisted Gen Flynn had stepped down over a "matter of trust" rather than a legal issue.
Meanwhile, Mr Trump has dismissed claims his campaign team had repeated contact with Russian intelligence officials before the US election as "nonsense".
He tweeted that the allegations were "merely an attempt to cover-up the many mistakes made in Hillary Clinton's losing campaign".
US spy agencies intercepted communications between Trump aides and Moscow around the same time they discovered evidence Russia had hacked into Democrat emails, said the New York Times.
Citing four US officials, the newspaper said agencies were investigating "whether the Trump campaign was colluding with the Russians on the hacking or other efforts to influence the election".
The US leader said retired army general Flynn had been treated "very, very unfairly by the media", including what he called "fake media".
He said it was "really a sad thing", as he hit out at alleged leaks of papers by the US intelligence services, saying the "leaks" were "criminal acts".
Gen Flynn resigned on Monday - less than a month into the job - after he allegedly discussed US sanctions against Moscow with Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak in a phone call late last year.
On Tuesday, Mr Trump's spokesman Sean Spicer said the President had lost trust in Gen Flynn and had been "very concerned" he misled Vice President Mike Pence and others.
Mr Spicer said Gen Flynn forgot "critical details" about his phone call, creating "a critical mass and an unsustainable situation".
Mr Spicer said: "The President was very concerned that General Flynn had misled the Vice President and others.
"The evolving and eroding level of trust as a result of this situation and a series of other questionable instances is what led the President to ask for Gen Flynn's resignation."
Gen Flynn has apologised for giving Mr Pence and others "incomplete information" about the call, which happened on 29 December - the same day President Obama announced new sanctions on Russia.
The conversation took place before Gen Flynn took up his NSA post and also before Mr Trump was inaugurated as president.
Under the Logan Act, it is illegal for an unauthorised citizen to conduct diplomacy on behalf of the US.
But the press secretary insisted Gen Flynn had stepped down over a "matter of trust" rather than a legal issue.
Meanwhile, Mr Trump has dismissed claims his campaign team had repeated contact with Russian intelligence officials before the US election as "nonsense".
He tweeted that the allegations were "merely an attempt to cover-up the many mistakes made in Hillary Clinton's losing campaign".
US spy agencies intercepted communications between Trump aides and Moscow around the same time they discovered evidence Russia had hacked into Democrat emails, said the New York Times.
Citing four US officials, the newspaper said agencies were investigating "whether the Trump campaign was colluding with the Russians on the hacking or other efforts to influence the election".
Trump drops US commitment for two-state solution for Middle East peace
Donald Trump has dropped America's long commitment to a two-state solution as the key to peace between Israelis and the Palestinians.
The US President said he wanted both sides to make compromises but it was up to Israel and the Palestinians themselves to decide what kind of a deal they should have.
He said: "I'm looking at two state and one state and I like the one that both parties like. I'm very happy with the one that both parties like.
"I thought for a while the two state looked like the slightly easier of the two, but if Bibi (Netanyahu) and the Palestinians are happy, I'm happy with the one they like the best."
:: A bromance and a dead two-state solution
He later added: "The Israelis are going to have to show some flexibility, which is hard, hard to do. They are going to have to show they really want to make a deal.
"I think the Palestinians have to get rid of some of that hate that they are taught from a very young age. Tremendous hate. I've seen what they are taught. It starts in the school room."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who was visiting the White House for talks, said that rather than deal with labels like "two state", he wanted a deal with "substance".
He said: "Here's the substance. There are two prerequisites for peace that I laid out. They haven't changed. First, the Palestinians must recognise the Jewish state.
"Second, in any peace agreement, Israel must retain the overriding security control over the entire area west of the Jordan river."
Mr Netanyahu also said he wanted "change" but said it could not happen until the Palestinians recognised Israel's requirements.
Both hinted that discussions were already underway to achieve a "bigger deal" with the involvement of "Arab partners" and "many many countries".
The US President said he wanted to see the US embassy move to Jerusalem but his administration were looking at it with "great care". "We'll see what happens," he said.
Sky's US Correspondent Cordelia Lynch said: "This press conference demonstrated potentially massive departure from decades of US foreign policy... when he said he could live with or without a two-state deal."
The President and his wife Melania had earlier given a warm welcome to the Israeli PM and his wife Sara when they arrived at the White House, with both putting their arms around their guests.
The President told the Prime Minister he would like to see him "hold back" on settlements in the Palestinian territories and during his opening comments, Mr Trump attacked the United Nations and said it had treated Israel "very, very unfairly".
And he said he will do more to prevent Iran "ever" developing a nuclear weapon. "And I mean ever," he added.
The Palestinian presidency reacted by stressing its commitment to the two-state solution and "ending Israeli occupation" but affirmed its readiness to deal positively with Mr Trump's administration to make peace.
The US President said he wanted both sides to make compromises but it was up to Israel and the Palestinians themselves to decide what kind of a deal they should have.
He said: "I'm looking at two state and one state and I like the one that both parties like. I'm very happy with the one that both parties like.
"I thought for a while the two state looked like the slightly easier of the two, but if Bibi (Netanyahu) and the Palestinians are happy, I'm happy with the one they like the best."
:: A bromance and a dead two-state solution
He later added: "The Israelis are going to have to show some flexibility, which is hard, hard to do. They are going to have to show they really want to make a deal.
"I think the Palestinians have to get rid of some of that hate that they are taught from a very young age. Tremendous hate. I've seen what they are taught. It starts in the school room."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who was visiting the White House for talks, said that rather than deal with labels like "two state", he wanted a deal with "substance".
He said: "Here's the substance. There are two prerequisites for peace that I laid out. They haven't changed. First, the Palestinians must recognise the Jewish state.
"Second, in any peace agreement, Israel must retain the overriding security control over the entire area west of the Jordan river."
Mr Netanyahu also said he wanted "change" but said it could not happen until the Palestinians recognised Israel's requirements.
Both hinted that discussions were already underway to achieve a "bigger deal" with the involvement of "Arab partners" and "many many countries".
The US President said he wanted to see the US embassy move to Jerusalem but his administration were looking at it with "great care". "We'll see what happens," he said.
Sky's US Correspondent Cordelia Lynch said: "This press conference demonstrated potentially massive departure from decades of US foreign policy... when he said he could live with or without a two-state deal."
The President and his wife Melania had earlier given a warm welcome to the Israeli PM and his wife Sara when they arrived at the White House, with both putting their arms around their guests.
The President told the Prime Minister he would like to see him "hold back" on settlements in the Palestinian territories and during his opening comments, Mr Trump attacked the United Nations and said it had treated Israel "very, very unfairly".
And he said he will do more to prevent Iran "ever" developing a nuclear weapon. "And I mean ever," he added.
The Palestinian presidency reacted by stressing its commitment to the two-state solution and "ending Israeli occupation" but affirmed its readiness to deal positively with Mr Trump's administration to make peace.
Whistleblower scandal prompts Kenny confidence vote in Ireland
Ireland is embroiled in a national scandal involving the police, a child protection agency and politicians which threatens to bring down the government.
Irish prime minister Enda Kenny is under immense pressure to explain what he knew and when about an alleged smear campaign against a police whistleblower which may have been orchestrated by senior officers.
In a story that stretches back more than a decade, Mr Kenny has now promised a public inquiry ahead of a vote of confidence later today, which, if lost, would lead to a snap election.
At the centre of the story is Sergeant Maurice McCabe, who claims he has been the focus of a deliberate campaign to destroy his character after he raised concerns about police corruption.
Here is how the scandal unfolded.
:: January 2006
Sgt Maurice McCabe makes a complaint against a fellow officer which ends up with the officer being disciplined.
:: December 2006
A police officer makes a complaint against Sgt McCabe that he acted inappropriately towards a six-year-old child. The complaint was investigated and found to be without foundation.
:: January 2012
Sgt McCabe publicly accuses the police of allowing well-known personalities to have their penalty points wiped.
:: May 2013
A report by the assistant commissioner of the Irish Police is published, claiming there may have been a breach of the rules regarding penalty points. The Police Commissioner at the time suggested there was no criminality.
:: August 2013
Both the police and the Irish Child and Family Agency (later Tulsa) are contacted with claims of child abuse allegations against Sgt McCabe.
:: October 2013
Another report, by the comptroller and auditor general, supports Sgt McCabe's allegations on penalty points.
:: January 2014
The Police Commissioner, Martin Callanan, brands the actions of police whistleblowers "disgusting" and said Sgt McCabe "was not to be trusted", igniting a political storm. The Commissioner retired a few months later.
:: April 2014
The Child and Family Agency (Tusla) opens files on Sgt McCabe and family alleging sexual abuse, but later that month Tusla admits the allegations had been "copied and pasted" in error. The police are notified of the mistake.
:: December 2015
But 18 months later, Tusla writes to Sgt McCabe informing him that he is still being investigated following allegations of child abuse. It's the first time that he has been made aware of the allegations dating from 2013 and he denies the claims.
:: June 2016
Sgt McCabe is contacted by Tusla which informs him that the sex abuse allegations was an error.
:: October 2016
A retired high court judge is appointed to review the reports of police treatment of Sgt McCabe.
:: January 2017
Sgt McCabe obtains a freedom of information file which details the handling of the allegations made against him which outlines in detail the extent of the errors.
:: 25 January
The Children's Minister, Katherine Zappone, meets with Sgt McCabe and is said to be shocked by the details.
8 February
An opposition leader addresses the exact details of the allegations against Sgt McCabe in the Irish Parliament. A day later a TV investigation examines a litany of alleged errors made by the Irish government agencies and the police.
In the past week, Irish government ministers have denied suggestions, including from the children's minister herself, that they were made aware of alleged mistakes made.
This included Mr Kenny who yesterday admitted he "gave wrong information" in interviews at the weekend about talks he had with the children's minister regarding Sgt McCabe.
The Irish Parliament held a special session on Tuesday evening seeking "clarification on statements made by the Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) and ministers."
Mr Kenny, in an attempt to limit the political damage, earlier announced there will be a public inquiry into the alleged smear campaign against the police whistleblower.
The vote of confidence today could spark a fresh election, throwing the country into political turmoil, coming only a year after an election which failed to produce a government for over two months.
That uncertainty will add to concerns about the Republic of Ireland's ability to negotiate with the UK on Brexit. There are fears that a so-called hard border could be introduced with Northern Ireland, if Britain leaves the customs union.
This scandal is the latest to hit a country beset by numerous political, financial and religious wrongdoing in the past decade which has undermined public trust in state institutions.
Irish prime minister Enda Kenny is under immense pressure to explain what he knew and when about an alleged smear campaign against a police whistleblower which may have been orchestrated by senior officers.
In a story that stretches back more than a decade, Mr Kenny has now promised a public inquiry ahead of a vote of confidence later today, which, if lost, would lead to a snap election.
At the centre of the story is Sergeant Maurice McCabe, who claims he has been the focus of a deliberate campaign to destroy his character after he raised concerns about police corruption.
Here is how the scandal unfolded.
:: January 2006
Sgt Maurice McCabe makes a complaint against a fellow officer which ends up with the officer being disciplined.
:: December 2006
A police officer makes a complaint against Sgt McCabe that he acted inappropriately towards a six-year-old child. The complaint was investigated and found to be without foundation.
:: January 2012
Sgt McCabe publicly accuses the police of allowing well-known personalities to have their penalty points wiped.
:: May 2013
A report by the assistant commissioner of the Irish Police is published, claiming there may have been a breach of the rules regarding penalty points. The Police Commissioner at the time suggested there was no criminality.
:: August 2013
Both the police and the Irish Child and Family Agency (later Tulsa) are contacted with claims of child abuse allegations against Sgt McCabe.
:: October 2013
Another report, by the comptroller and auditor general, supports Sgt McCabe's allegations on penalty points.
:: January 2014
The Police Commissioner, Martin Callanan, brands the actions of police whistleblowers "disgusting" and said Sgt McCabe "was not to be trusted", igniting a political storm. The Commissioner retired a few months later.
:: April 2014
The Child and Family Agency (Tusla) opens files on Sgt McCabe and family alleging sexual abuse, but later that month Tusla admits the allegations had been "copied and pasted" in error. The police are notified of the mistake.
:: December 2015
But 18 months later, Tusla writes to Sgt McCabe informing him that he is still being investigated following allegations of child abuse. It's the first time that he has been made aware of the allegations dating from 2013 and he denies the claims.
:: June 2016
Sgt McCabe is contacted by Tusla which informs him that the sex abuse allegations was an error.
:: October 2016
A retired high court judge is appointed to review the reports of police treatment of Sgt McCabe.
:: January 2017
Sgt McCabe obtains a freedom of information file which details the handling of the allegations made against him which outlines in detail the extent of the errors.
:: 25 January
The Children's Minister, Katherine Zappone, meets with Sgt McCabe and is said to be shocked by the details.
8 February
An opposition leader addresses the exact details of the allegations against Sgt McCabe in the Irish Parliament. A day later a TV investigation examines a litany of alleged errors made by the Irish government agencies and the police.
In the past week, Irish government ministers have denied suggestions, including from the children's minister herself, that they were made aware of alleged mistakes made.
This included Mr Kenny who yesterday admitted he "gave wrong information" in interviews at the weekend about talks he had with the children's minister regarding Sgt McCabe.
The Irish Parliament held a special session on Tuesday evening seeking "clarification on statements made by the Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) and ministers."
Mr Kenny, in an attempt to limit the political damage, earlier announced there will be a public inquiry into the alleged smear campaign against the police whistleblower.
The vote of confidence today could spark a fresh election, throwing the country into political turmoil, coming only a year after an election which failed to produce a government for over two months.
That uncertainty will add to concerns about the Republic of Ireland's ability to negotiate with the UK on Brexit. There are fears that a so-called hard border could be introduced with Northern Ireland, if Britain leaves the customs union.
This scandal is the latest to hit a country beset by numerous political, financial and religious wrongdoing in the past decade which has undermined public trust in state institutions.
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