A Dublin man who stabbed his cousin to death with a flick knife he had bought him as a present has had his prison sentenced reduced by three years by the Court of Appeal.

The Court of Appeal has set aside a man's 12-year prison sentence for possession of drugs worth more than €4m in a case which raised an “important question” regarding construction of the Misuse of Drugs Act, as amended.

A discredited former Ansbacher banker was today barred from running a business for nine years over his role in the secret investments scandal.

BUPA yesterday dramatically warned that it will take an “unequivocal decision” to immediately withdraw from the Irish market if risk equalisation goes ahead.

Opposition parties are calling for new legislation to allow Health Boards to close unfit nursing homes.