Ahern welcomes Blair apology

The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, has welcomed the British Prime Minister's apology to 11 Irish people who were wrongfully convicted in connection with IRA bombings in Guildford and London in 1974.

Tony Blair issued the televised apology today to the Guildford Four and the Maguire Seven, including father-and-son Giuseppe and Gerry Conlon.

Mr Ahern, who had been campaigning for such an apology, said the years the 11 people spent in prison could never be recovered, but he hoped the apology would allow them to move on with their lives.