DUBLIN, May 2 (Reuters) - These are some of the leading stories in Ireland's newspapers on Wednesday. Reuters has not verified these stories and cannot vouch for their accuracy:

THE IRISH TIMES

- The state does not have any power to stop a teenage girl travelling to the UK for an abortion, the High Court was told yesterday by counsel for the Attorney General.

- The Taoiseach came under increasing pressure yesterday to make a statement about his personal financial affairs, but he insisted repeatedly that he would not say anything further on the matter during the election campaign.

- Met Eireann confirmed the worst suspicions of umbrella sellers yesterday when it declared last month to be one of the warmest, sunniest and driest Aprils on record.

IRISH INDEPENDENT

- Patients are facing the threat of major disruption in the health service after talks on the nurses' dispute broke down last night.

- Disgraced Biship Brendan Comiskey is to become the first member of the hierarchy to give evidence in an abuse case. Bishop Comiskey is one of several witnesses served with a subpoena to appear in the High Court.

IRISH EXAMINER

- Some 7.8 million euros has been paid out by the Archdiocese of Dublin in settlement of sex abuse claims, according to newly released figures.

- A total of 7,352 working days were lost through strike action by workers across the country last year -- the lowest since records began in 1923.

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