A DETECTIVE searching the home of a man accused of money laundering believed the accused was part of an IRA gang that included another man caught at a railway station with a large amount of euro cash in a Daz washing powder box.

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern’s lawyer yesterday launched a scathing attack on the Mahon Planning Tribunal and called the chief witness, developer Tom Gilmartin, a “puppet” for others to inflict political damage on his client.

Garden lovers inspired by this year’s Chelsea Flower Show — which included the award-winning 100% Pure New Zealand garden — might like to consider a new Boutique Gardens of New Zealand holiday, exclusively offered by English-based specialist Bridge & Wickers.

FORMER CRH chief executive Tony Barry told the Moriarty Tribunal yesterday he was oblivious of the financial relationship between the group’s deceased chairman, Des Traynor, and former Taoiseach Charles Haughey.

Island Gas & Oil, the Irish exploration group which has a stake in the Seven Heads gas field off the Cork coast, has reported a small pre-tax loss of Stg£33,000 for the half year to January 31, 2006.

THE white van used in the robbery of around €2.5m from a security van on Wednesday has been discovered north of Dundalk.

IRISH investment in British property is heading towards the €2 billion mark this year, with confirmation this week of several major consortium purchases across the Irish Sea.

The Planning Tribunal has heard that former Fianna Fáil TD Liam Lawlor is currently spending around €13,000-a-month, despite claiming that he could not afford to co-operate with the tribunal's investigations.

SO ALEX Ferguson once more wraps his arms around the Premiership trophy.

AS the Avon Tyres British Formula 3 Championship enters the final third of the season at Oulton Park this weekend, results are becoming more crucial.

A Church of England bishop is to lead a group of British people abandoning their comforts for Lent and living on the minimum wage.

Alan Kelly is still waiting for news on his proposed move from Blackburn Rovers to Tottenham.

Jurys Doyle Hotel Group has bought Birmingham-based Chamberlain Hotels for stg£41.9m.