A group of more than 80 investors have found themselves owing almost €18m to Bank of Scotland after signing over power of attorney to an accountant for an investment project.

Two banks have welcomed today's announcements by the Central Bank and the Government on mortgage arrears.

Seán Quinn is expected to mount a Supreme Court challenge early next week to overturn yesterday’s High Court ruling, which saw his son and nephew jailed for three months for contempt.

A Sligo man, who called his 15-year-old daughter a whore after he raped her, has been jailed for ten years by Ms Justice Elizabeth Dunne at the Central Criminal Court.

A 63-year-old County Offaly man who raped one of his daughters and sexually abused another two has been jailed for eight years by the Central Criminal Court.