Defence Minister Alan Shatter expressed “sincere regret” for the tragic events that led to the death of a trainee Air Corps pilot on a flight training mission in 2009, during a civil action taken by the father of the deceased.

A mother of four broke down in tears yesterday after a judge ruled that a deluge of hate mail to her had come from the home of a one-time close friend.

They may claim to have “the best built cars in the world”, but Toyota has been sued by a Co Galway couple after rats infested both of their Toyota Avensis cars.