Notorious former drug smuggler and author Howard Marks has been diagnosed with inoperable cancer, he has announced this weekend.

Former drugs smuggler and convict Howard Marks is in Cork this week, writes Richard Fitzpatrick

Never an obvious leading man, Ifans grabs the opportunity to take centre stage as the real life Howard Marks, one of the foremost drug dealers of the 1960s-70s – during which he is said to have controlled 10% of the international hashish market - and a bit of a fantasist (references to him being a spy and a music promoter).

Rhys Ifans cried like a "little girl" after seeing his new movie 'Mr Nice' for the first time.

SMILING revellers abandoned their raincoats as the sunlight-filled fields of Co Laois saw tens of thousands of music fans setting up home for the weekend at this year’s Electric Picnic festival.

Actor David Thewlis said tonight it was a “thrill” to win an award for his role in the Howard Marks biopic 'Mr Nice'.

Singer Ms Dynamite is joining Dame Kelly Holmes, Alastair Campbell and former drugs smuggler turned novelist Howard Marks – to edit Five News.