Falling passenger numbers at Shannon have been halted and the airport is set to show a growth in 2013 for the first time in five years, the airports new chief, Neil Pakey, said yesterday.

ENGLISHMAN Bob Avis arrived at the Irish Open yesterday and proclaimed he had discovered heaven on earth.

The Chinese government must be called to publicly account for its poor record on human rights, it was claimed tonight.

A new business park has been given permission to go ahead which will increase the industrial capacity of Shannon airport by as much as 50%.