Armed detectives fired shots during the hot pursuit of a violent sex offender who repeatedly rammed two Garda patrol cars when cornered in a Limerick city cul-de-sac.

TWO men, who worked with a major fish retailer for more than 20 years, set up a nearby rival business with the help of money they stole from their former employer, a court heard yesterday.

UP TO 20 men and women were arrested yesterday in a major garda anti-drugs operation in Limerick city and county.

DAYS after making a big heroin find at a house in Limerick, drugs squad detectives returned early yesterday to the same house and found a much larger quantity of heroin.

PEOPLE are flocking to food fairs around the country.