How did a convicted fraudster, who dodged long-standing creditors, get regulatory approval as a licensed lender, when a key requirement is that firms must be of the highest financial and personal probity?

A Waterford man has avoided jail today after he stole more than €8,000 from his former employers.

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has described Formula One as being “unimaginable” without Bernie Ecclestone.

Rod Stewart is baffled about why he hasn't been knighted.

Customs officers dismantled and shut 22 fuel laundering plants in the North this year which were capable of depriving the UK's Inland Revenue of £68m (€82m) in taxes, it was revealed today.

An internet pirate who made up to £60,000 (€76,000) a month from his site which allowed people to download TV shows and films was jailed in the UK for four years today.

Harry Redknapp threatened to “sue the bollocks” off a journalist as the football boss and his former employer gave conflicting excuses for an alleged offshore tax fiddle, a court heard yesterday.

Football boss Harry Redknapp threatened to “sue the bollocks” off a journalist as he angrily denied taking bungs, a court heard today.

Daryl Hannah owes $62,622 in unpaid taxes.

Ricky Gervais is worth $80m (€58m), and says now that his wealth is widely known, he'll have to part with some of it.

The mother of 'X Factor' reject Gamu Nhengu did not wrongly claim tax credits, the family’s solicitor said today as the budding singer faced deportation to Zimbabwe.

Towns and villages in England left stunned by Derrick Bird’s killing spree fell silent today – a week on from the carnage which left 12 dead.

Towns and villages left stunned by Derrick Bird’s killing spree will fall silent today – a week on from the carnage which left 12 dead.

Relatives of gun spree killer Derrick Bird would apologise to his victims' families "if they had the strength", a close friend said today as memorial services were held to remember the dead.

INVESTIGATORS were focusing on gun killer Derrick Bird’s money troubles yesterday after it emerged that he feared being jailed for tax evasion.

Gunman Derrick Bird was embroiled in a major tax investigation into a mystery £60,000 deposited in his bank account, according to a friend.

A COUPLE were jailed in the North yesterday after admitting a £4.6 million (€5.14m) tax fraud.

Former Liverpool footballer John Barnes has been declared bankrupt over unpaid tax.

Saudi businessman Ali Al-Faraj has completed his takeover of Portsmouth, the club confirmed tonight.

Smith brings us another of his removed-from-the-world characters in a powerful if complex drama of redemption.

FORMER developer Tom Gilmartin accused Bertie Ahern at the Mahon Planning Tribunal yesterday of low tactics by implying the witness needed psychiatric help as a cover-up to corruption in the Government.

FOOTBALL League chairman Lord Mawhinney yesterday warned that time is running out on Leeds’ chances of starting the new season in Coca-Cola League One.

The Football Association have given Leeds the all-clear to play York in a pre-season friendly at KitKat Crescent tonight.

BRITISH-BASED businessman Tom Gilmartin faces tough questioning at the Mahon Tribunal today over his allegations that senior politicians received corrupt payments relating to land rezoning.

KEN BATES has insisted that Leeds have been given “a clean start” after his consortium bought the troubled League One club — but doubts remain over the club’s Football League future.

Leeds chairman Ken Bates has vowed to take legal action if the club is sold to a rival bidder.

THE Institute of Chartered Accounts has formally submitted a call for the reduction of corporation tax in the North to the review of tax policy ordered by new British prime minister Gordon Brown when he was chancellor of the exchequer.

The British Inland Revenue have confirmed they will be launching a legal challenge against Leeds chairman Ken Bates’ buy-back deal.

Leeds have upped their offer to the Inland Revenue from £77,000 to £616,000 in a last-ditch attempt to avoid a legal challenge to the club being re-sold to Ken Bates.

Leeds’ administrators have confirmed five different consortia have all proved they have the funds in place to buy the stricken Yorkshire club.

Duncan Revie has stepped up his interest in taking control of Leeds United by proving to the club's administrators he has the money in place to buy them.

The race to take control of Leeds could be decided at a creditors’ meeting early next month.

Former director Simon Morris is planning to ambush Ken Bates' hopes of retaining control of Leeds and usher in a new era of prosperity at Elland Road.

Leeds United’s administrators are expecting several parties keen on taking control at Elland Road to step up their bids this week.

Ken Bates, who today denied reports he is planning to relocate Leeds to South Leeds Stadium, has been told that entering administration may help to safeguard the club’s long-term future.

Negotiations continue in the North today, before a crucial decision on power-sharing.

THE Republic will contribute €580 million to a €1.47 billion financial package announced for the Northern Ireland Executive yesterday.

Forget Roll With It, Noel Gallagher is rolling in it. The Oasis star has revealed the extent of his wealth for the first time, blurting out that he’s got £14m (€20.9m) stashed away in the bank, The Sun reports.

Senior police chiefs are investigating allegations of fraud against two football agents.

THE millionaire brother of former football star Gary Lineker was jailed for two-and-a-half years yesterday after admitting a €317,000 tax fraud.

British Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell and her husband David Mills are to separate after their marriage was put under “strain” by the controversy over their finances, his lawyer said today.

THE jailing of Gary Glitter marked yet another spectacular fall from grace for the former glam-rock star.

PASCHAL TAGGART has had an interest in so many companies and business concerns, it would be easier to list those he has had nothing at all to do with.

A cheque from former Beatle John Lennon to the UK's Inland Revenue is expected to fetch £1,500 (€2,200) at auction.