More than 600,000 customers are in receipt of the free travel scheme, of which 430,000 are aged over 66 years. Some 145,000 are in receipt of an invalidity/disability type payment and a further 25,000 are carers. Social affairs minister Seamus Brennan said the move meant that, in future, there will be no limits placed on the amount of free travel eligible people take or at what time they take it.

HARNEY CALLED ON TO PRIORITISE DEMENTIA THE Alzheimer Society of Ireland has called on the minister for health to prioritise dementia care in her forthcoming package for the elderly. The chief executive of the organisation, Maurice O'Connell, has demanded Mary Harney ensures the healthcare system is made more accessible for elderly people with dementia and claims elderly people suffering from Alzheimer's and dementia face indirect discrimination and social exclusion.

IRAQ PROTESTORS TAKE TO THE STREETS A PROTEST against the US occupation of Iraq took place in Dublin yesterday. The International Day of Action on Iraq event began at 1pm in Parnell Square. The spokesman for the rally, Brendan Butler of the NGO Peace Alliance, said his group wants to make the US military's use of Shannon airport an election issue.

NORTH REELING FROM GORDON'S GUSTS UPto 4,000 people in the North were still without electricity yesterday following stormy conditions earlier in the week. Gale-force winds from the tail end of Hurricane Gordon caused widespread damage to the electricity network. Some 40,000 homes were also left without power in the Republic due to the storms early in the week.

FINAL CALL FOR CLARE FESTIVAL THE inaugural Clare Shout Festival finishes in Kilkishen, East Clare today. The highlight of yesterday's programme was the Clare Shout Competition to find the person who could best perform the county's authentic and ancient yodel.

Today's events include a Regatta organised by Cullaun Sailing Club at Cullane Lake, road bowling, a family festival, crossroads dancing and a parade led by the famous Tulla Pipers' Band. The three-day festival will be rounded off with traditional music and singing sessions in the local pubs.

LIMERICK RALLY CALLS FOR MORE GARDAI AT A rally in Limerick city yesterday, residents from Moyross called for a 24hour visible garda presence to help communities tackle anti-social activity in the area. Around 100 people gathered seeking an end to recent violence in some of the city's housing estates. The crowd was addressed by city councillors and Labour TD Jan O'Sullivan. The city's deputy mayor, John Gilligan, said the people who attended the gathering were expressing their horror at anti-social behaviour.

The rally remembered in particular the suffering of four-year-old Gavin Murray and his six-yearold sister Milly who sustained severe burns when their mother's car was set on fire two weeks ago in Moyross.