JUSTICE Minister Alan Shatter pushed through a move to wrap up a long-running inquiry into the killing of two RUC officers, saying closure was needed for the families of the murdered policemen.

The judge heading an inquiry into suspected Garda-IRA collusion in the murder of two senior RUC officers believes a November deadline is achievable.

The Smithwick Tribunal is preparing to take evidence in public.

The murder of a Roman Catholic man killed by a sectarian mob while the PSNI were nearby will be probed in a public inquiry opening today.

A LEGAL battle is brewing over an attempt by the Smithwick Tribunal to force the Government to hand over a confidential Cabinet document.

An inquiry investigating alleged garda collusion in the murder of two RUC officers 19 years ago is reportedly taking legal action to get hold of a Cabinet document referring to the killings.

The tribunal investigating the murder of two senior RUC officers almost 18 years ago has refused to grant legal representation to Freddie Scappaticci.

Asda owner Wal-Mart is ending its loss-making business in Germany, just two months after leaving South Korea in what analysts welcomed as a move to focus resources on more profitable international markets like China and Latin America.

The tribunal set up to investigate the killing of two senior RUC men by the IRA 17 years ago says it will not be holding any public hearings until the end of the year.

THE public inquiry into the IRA murder of two RUC officers in Armagh in 1989 will investigate not only if gardaí colluded in the killings, but whether colleagues turned "a blind eye" to the collusion.

THE family of the late Superintendent Robert Buchanan yesterday welcomed the establishment of the Smithwick Tribunal.

A judge today vowed to do all in his power to ensure witnesses from Britain and Northern Ireland attend his investigation into the IRA murder of two RUC officers.

THE tribunal investigating the murder of two senior RUC officers in 1989 will commence its first public sittings in early March.

The Government tonight named a series of new judicial appointments, including a new judge to the Supreme Court.

The tribunal of inquiry into the deaths of Chief Supt Harry Breen and RUC Supt Robert Buchanan, announced by Justice Minister Michael McDowell in the Dáil, is to be welcomed.

Dáil Eireann has passed a motion calling for a tribunal of inquiry into the murders of RUC superintendents Harry Breen and Robert Buchanan.

LAST week friends of Olunkunle Eluhanla, a 16-year old boy deported by the Government, picketed outside the Dáil.

A TRIBUNAL to investigate allegations of garda collusion in the murder of two senior RUC officers 16 years ago is to be established, it was confirmed yesterday.