Protesters at the anti-war demonstration in Daunts Square called for an immediate end to the violence in the Middle East.

A similar rally was also held yesterday at the Maid of Eric Statue, Dundalk.

Rossport Five finish 300km walk in Dublin Supporters of the Rossport Five fnished the final leg of their 300km walk to Dublin yesterday. The group set off from Co Mayo two weeks ago to raise awareness about Shell's Corrib gas pipeline, due to run close to residents' homes.

Despite the company agreeing to reroute the pipeline, protestors continue to fight its construction.

Gardai say Kerry deaths were not connected The man whose body was recovered from the sea off Co Kerry on Friday night was yesterday identified as James Francis from Dingle. He was in his fifties.

The body of a 52-yearold woman was discovered in Brandon Creek at about the same time on Friday. Gardai have ruled out foul play in the two incidents, which they say are not connected.

Number of Irish homeless in London reduced The number of Irish homeless in London is at an all-time low, according to the Simon Homeless Agency.

The number of Irish emigrants living homeless has decreased in six inner city boroughs from 600 in 1999 to 100 today. Grants given to the government's Dion project are being attributed to the fall in numbers.

Fringe gets a trim despite boxoffice increase This year's Dublin Fringe Festival will be five days shorter than last year's event, despite a 53% increase at the box office.

The artistic director, Wolfgang Hoffman, believes a two-week event will have more of an impact on audiences. The festival will take place across the city from September 9-24.

Pilgrims retrace lives of saints and martyrs A pilgrimage that will retrace the footsteps of saints and martyrs in Rome and Assisi began yesterday. The 10-day journey will take participants to the ancient basilicas of St Peter's, St John Lateran, St Mary Major and St Paul. Eighty parishioners, led by the Bishop of Meath, Michael Smith, are taking part in the pilgrimage.

Swimmers call halt to recordbreaking bid Six swimmers had to call a temporary halt to their bid to swim around the entire island yesterday due to bad weather conditions along the west coast. They were trying to become the first team in history to circumnavigate Ireland by swimming.

Team leader Henry O'Donnell said they ran into difficulty with strong north to northwesterly winds off the coast of Galway.