Irish tourist to be released in Iran

Reports from earthquake-stricken Iran are indicating that the Irish tourist kidnapped there at the beginning of December will be released later today.

Aidan Leahy, who is in his 30s, was abducted along with two Germans near the city of Zahedan close to the border with Pakistan and Afghanistan while on a cycling trip.

His kidnappers had demanded a ransom of €5m, which the Iranian government refused to pay.