A Westmeath “rampant addict” who picked up a van loaded with heroin valued €1.6m because of his €25,000 “drugs debt” has had his sentence adjourned so that he can be psychologically assessed.

A Polish national who was selling stolen cars as a member of an organised criminal gang has been jailed for four years by Judge Katherine Delahunt at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

Britney Spears’ parents, appalled at her discharge from hospital against the recommendation of her psychiatrist, said today the pop star’s life was in danger.

Green party leader, Trevor Sargent, has said causing damage to US military aircraft passing through Ireland is "justified".

More than 100 people have died in inter-communal violence in the Indonesian part of Borneo.