»WHAT'S THE STORY?

IT IS Eurovision time again, and the four successful song entries will be performed by Dervish (RIGHT) on this Friday's Late Late Show. First up is 'Walk With Me' by Stigg Lindell, then there's 'The Thought Of You' by Matti Kallio, 'Until We Meet Again' by four others, and 'They Can't Stop The Spring' by John Waters. Rock on.

» WHAT ARE THEY SAYING?

"This Eurovision extravaganza will also include lots of chat and inspiration from previous winners and Eurovision enthusiasts." - RT�? "My lovely horse, running through the field, Where are you going with your fetlocks blowing in the wind? I want to shower you with sugarlumps, And ride you over fences, Polish your hooves every single day, And bring you to the horse dentist" - 'My Lovely Horse', Father Ted (RIGHT) and Father Dougal's Eurovision entry.

» WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

Like Big Brother, YOU DECIDE. Well, given that the organisers have already decided on who will perform the songs, they leave us the little task of picking which one will go on to storm Helsinki in May. Paddy Power are fairly sure that 'Until We Meet Again' will triumph (6/4), followed by 'Walk With Me (9/4), with the other two tied at 7/2.

Bailey back in court to appeal libel actions

»WHAT'S THE STORY?

IAN BAILEY, the man who was a suspect in the murder of Sophie Toscan Du Plaintier (RIGHT), is appealing the verdict of his libel action against seven newspapers. The case begins on Tuesday.

Just over two years ago, Bailey was awarded damages of Euro4,000 each from the Sun and Mirror newspapers for defamation of character. His actions against "ve other newspapers failed and costs were awarded proportionately, which would have left Bailey with a bill approaching half-a-million euro. Now he is appealing the verdict to the High Court.

He claims he was defamed by suggestions in the newspapers that he was a violent man.

» WHAT ARE THEY SAYING?

They're saying it will be standing room only. Graphic testimony was given in the original trial about Bailey's violence towards his partner Jules Thomas. But the most crucial evidence was probably from a woman, Marie Farrell, who claimed that she saw Bailey (RIGHT) not far from the murder scene on the night in question.

She has since changed her story.

» WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

A full rehearing of the case in the High Court in Cork starts on Tuesday morning. Once more, the big legal guns will be rolled out for the newspapers, and once more Bailey will be put under the microscope. The stakes are high for everybody involved and, as usual, the cost of the legal fees will be the biggest monetary element in the case, irrespective of what happens.