Republic of Ireland and Everton footballer Darron Gibson was yesterday given a 12-month community order and banned from driving for 20 months after he ploughed into three cyclists and drove off.

A BUSINESSMAN whose home and offices were raided by police in connection with an investigation into an IRA crime empire admitted links with the family of an alleged IRA godfather yesterday.

ABOUT 250 properties associated with two Manchester-based businessmen were yesterday being investigated by Assets Recovery Agency officials in the North as part of a probe into IRA links.