THE Moriarty Report has found that Michael Lowry linked up with businessman Denis O’Brien in securing a property at Cheadle, Cheshire.

Britain’s big freeze hit sales at department store chain John Lewis last week as the snow and ice kept shoppers away from the high street, the group said today.

US giant Nike’s £285m (€394m) takeover of England kit manufacturer Umbro was today given the thumbs up by Sports World billionaire Mike Ashley.

England kit maker Umbro today said it had agreed to be taken over by sportswear giant Nike in a deal worth £285 (€1.43m).

THE 76-year-old father of telecoms billionaire Denis O’Brien enlisted Michael Lowry’s accountant to get information from his own solicitor about an English property, the Moriarty Tribunal heard yesterday.

FORMER Fine Gael Minister Michael Lowry may have been on an ego trip when he allegedly claimed to be linked to telecoms tycoon Denis O’Brien’s purchase of English football league club Doncaster Rovers, the Moriarty Tribunal heard yesterday.

The Supreme Court has dismissed an appeal by millionaire businessman Denis O'Brien against a High Court order allowing the Moriarty Tribunal to hold public hearings into the 1998 purchase of Doncaster Rovers Football Club by a company controlled by an O'Brien family trust and the purported connection of former Minister Michael Lowry to that purchase.

Sportswear firm Umbro eyed a World Cup bonanza today after reporting record demand for England kit and merchandise ahead of this summer’s tournament.

A revolutionary football boot made from kangaroo leather and worn by England striker Michael Owen today kept sportswear firm Umbro on course to meet its financial goals.

Sports kit supplier Umbro today said tough markets had led it to slash its flotation price by a third.

FORMER minister Michael Lowry insisted yesterday he knew nothing about radically different versions of two letters which Moriarty Tribunal lawyers allege were intended to conceal his true role in a British property deal.

FORMER Fine Gael Minister Michael Lowry will be grilled today over alleged attempts to cover-up his role in a property deal linked to business tycoon Denis O'Brien.