Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore has told the Dáil of the “savage circumstances” surrounding the roadside murders of RUC Chief Supt Harry Breen and Supt Robert Buchanan by an IRA gang who had been assisted by gardaí.

The Garda commissioner said he is horrified that a collusion inquiry has found a terrorist mole in the ranks of the force gave the IRA a tip-off that led to the ambush and murder of two RUC officers.

In describing the findings of the Smithwick Tribunal report as “absolutely shocking”, Taoiseach Enda Kenny spoke for the vast majority of the Irish people, north and south.

Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams was left isolated tonight after he claimed two of the most senior RUC officers killed by the IRA had only themselves to blame.

A former Garda has rejected the findings of a tribunal that he was trusted by Provos and helped members get their hands on false passports

Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan has said he is horrified by the findings of Garda collusion in the murders of two senior RUC officers in 1989.

Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams has claimed two RUC officers murdered in an IRA ambush following a tip-off from a terrorist mole in An Garda Síochána "disregarded their own safety".

Justice Minister Alan Shatter has denied that the reputation of An Garda Síochána has been damaged as a result of the findings of the Smithwick Tribunal.

Disgraced former garda sergeant Finbarr Hickey spent a year behind bars when convicted of signing counterfeit passports that helped IRA figures go on the run.

Retired garda sergeant Leo Colton was trusted by Provos and helped members get false passports, the Smithwick Tribunal found.

Evidence shows Owen Corrigan passed information to the IRA — but it cannot be proved he colluded in the murders of Harry Breen and Bob Buchanan, the tribunal found.

Labour MEP Emer Costello is today urging the EU Commission not to allow Ryanair to takeover Aer Lingus.

Ryanair may be willing to purchase the Government's stake in Aer Lingus in the event of a sell-off, a spokesman for the airline confirmed today.

EU judges today backed the European Commission’s refusal to allow Ryanair to buy the entire Aer Lingus share capital.

Ryanair and Aer Lingus are braced for a European court ruling that could open the way for the budget airline to make a third bid for its older Irish rival.

Ryanair has formally withdrawn its offer to take over Aer Lingus following the Government's decision not to accept its bid for the State's 25% shareholding in the former flag-carrier.

Ryanair says it will not continue with its takeover bid of Aer Lingus if the company's shareholders do not accept its offer by February 13.

Aer Lingus chief executive Dermot Mannion has defended his company following another attack by Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary.

Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary has launched another stinging attack on the way Aer Lingus is being run

The Oireachtas transport committee is due to question the chief executives of Aer Lingus and Ryanair today about the latter's bid to takeover the former national airline.

Ryanair will recognise trade unions at Aer Lingus if its takeover bid is successful, the company said this afternoon.

Aer Lingus chiefs tonight rejected Ryanair’s ambitious plan to takeover the Irish flag-carrier.

Colourful Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary put his antics aside today as he revealed his bold bid to buy-out struggling rival Aer Lingus.

Ryanair has announced plans to mount a fresh takeover bid for Aer Lingus in a move that it says will create "one strong Irish airline group".