BELFAST-BASED priest, Fr Alex Reid, who witnessed IRA arms being decommissioned last year, was last night named Tipperary Person of the Year.

The British government was today accused of being involved in a cover-up over the IRA’s final act of disarmament.

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern yesterday defended Fr Alec Reid against fallout from his Nazi comment, describing him as a great man who had contributed much to peace in the North.

The Catholic priest who stirred up a row this week by comparing unionists to Nazis has said he does not believe the IRA carried out last December's Belfast bank heist.

The Taoiseach is expected to make a statement in the Dail today about allegations that the Government held secret talks with the Real IRA.