Mexico’s health secretary said today the swine flu epidemic in his country “is in its declining phase” even as the disease extended its reach through Europe and Latin America with at least five countries reporting new cases.

SENIOR gardaí in charge of the siege scene at Abbeylara made 23 fundamental mistakes of omission during the 25 hours John Carthy held them at bay, Mr Justice Robert Barr found.

Today the Barr Tribunal set up to investigate the circumstances of John Carthy's death, heard from Sergeant Daniel Monaghan who was in charge of Carthy's local station at the time of his death.