POPE John Paul’s age and the debilitating effect of Parkinson’s disease are the main factors influencing his health and make him more vulnerable to infections and breathing problems, medical experts said.

A jury has retired to consider its verdict at the Central Criminal Court in the trial of a man accused of murdering an Aids patient who was stabbed to death in his hospital bed.

A Scottish man is receiving treatment in hospital today following a Christmas Day housefire in Co Louth.