THE Assets Recovery Agency investigating IRA money laundering yesterday froze assets worth £11.8 million (€17.9m) in Manchester, but representatives of the men involved said they were optimistic of successfully fighting the decision in the courts.

A BUSINESSMAN whose home and offices were raided by police in connection with an investigation into an IRA crime empire admitted links with the family of an alleged IRA godfather yesterday.

Two men whose business was raided by police investigating a UK crime empire linked to alleged IRA godfather Thomas “Slab” Murphy, will protest their innocence today.

Dublin District Court has fined a man £300 in connection with an ‘air rage’ incident on an Aer Lingus flight from Manchester to Dublin earlier this year.