A RUSSIAN diplomat has been expelled from Ireland after a Garda report found that the Russian intelligence service was behind the “forgery and effective theft” of Irish passports.

Russian diplomats tonight vowed to ensure an Irish charity keeps on caring for its orphans despite being caught up in a passport for spies scandal.

US President Barack Obama’s commitment to helping the North was reinforced today when his new Economic Envoy to the North arrived in Belfast less than 72 hours after being appointed.

Sudanese authorities hunting a kidnapped Irish aid worker and her colleague have narrowed down the search area, it was confirmed tonight.