Ex-soldiers' families served with eviction notices

54 families of former soldiers living on the Curragh have been served with eviction notices by the Department of Defence.

The Department, headed by Michael Smith, says it needs the houses for serving personnel.

The Minister is reported to have said he does not want to see these families out on the road and that his department has been "incredibly patient".

The former soldiers' relatives earlier today called for an apology from Minister Smith following comments he made last night.

It is reported Mr Smith referred to the families as 'a boil that had to be lanced'.

Families described the remarks as highly offensive and demanded an immediate retraction.