Information on Burke set alarm bells ringing

WHILE the sensitive information Albert Reynolds and others passed to Bertie Ahern over Ray Burke’s practices were not solid proof, it was enough to set alarm bells ringing.

The former Taoiseach has said he was "surprised" that Mr Ahern went on to appoint Mr Burke to Cabinet in 1997 given the cloud of suspicion over the North Dublin deputy.

Much of the information centres on Department of Justice files on Mr Burke's handling of the passports-for-sale controversy.