More than 270 Irish people jailed overseas have sought consular assistance from the State since 2013. 

The number of Irish people serving prison sentences overseas has more than doubled in the past three years, to 1,054 known cases and they often endure extreme hardship.

Plans to drastically cut legal aid for convicted criminals will destroy prison law, a Catholic agency has warned.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny was heckled by protesters when he arrived in Killarney, Co Kerry, for the presentation of a humanitarian award on Saturday night.

President Mary McAleese will see the site of the Olympics during a two day trip to London, it emerged tonight.