A Scottish man who fled Ireland over eight years ago after being charged with storing firearms and €375,000 of cannabis resin for Irish criminals to whom he owed money has been given a six year sentence.

THE Iraqi port of Umm Qasr was yesterday declared secure following sweeps by Royal Marine commandos, paving the way for the first deliveries of aid to Iraqi civilians.

The Iraqi port of Umm Qasr was today declared secure following sweeps by Royal Marine commandos, paving the way for the first deliveries of aid to Iraqi civilians.