Ahern to undergo hip operation due to arthritis

JUSTICE Minister Dermot Ahern will undergo a hip operation today, a result of the rheumatoid arthritis to which he recently attributed his decision to step down from politics.

Mr Ahern has cleared his Dáil schedule until February 3, but a well-placed source last night said the minister expected to be back at work much sooner than that.

Mr Ahern will remain in hospital for a few days after the operation, returning home next week to convalesce for a short period.