Ahern to open new stretch of motorway

The Taoiseach Bertie Ahern is due to open a new stretch of the M1 motorway in north Co Dublin today.

The 16km Swords by-pass between Dublin Airport and Cloghran will complete a 72km unbroken stretch of motorway running from Dundalk in Co Louth to Whitehall, Dublin.

The new road will connect with the Balbriggan, Drogheda and Dunleer by-passes.

Officials claim that it will shorten journeys between Dublin and the North by 30 minutes.