Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Ahern helped casino promoter get passport
22:16 Taoiseach Bertie Ahern assisted a Manchester-based businessman to obtain an Irish passport in 1994, it emerged tonight. Mr Ahern's spokesman denied any "sinister" motive behind the issuing of the passport to casino promoter Norman Turner and said any member of the Oireachtas could assist someone to obtain a passport within five days. A passport issued to Mr Turner in 1994 was returned via Mr Ahern's office, Fine Gael established.

Suggestion of impropriety 'an absolute fallacy'
23:38 The issuing of a passport to businessman Norman Turner in 1994 was "in accordance with normal procedures", the Government said in a statement tonight.
Giuliani and Edwards pull out of White House race
23:46 Democrat John Edwards and Republican Rudy Giuliani abandoned their US presidential bids today, narrowing the field in both parties to two main candidates ahead of next week's big multi-state nominating contest.
- McCain wins tight battle in Florida
Dáil begins debate on Mahon tribunal motions
20:34 The root cause of the cost and energy involved in the Mahon tribunal is that there has been no "credible" explanation from Taoiseach Bertie Ahern for the money going through his personal accounts in the early 1990s, Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny said tonight.
- Revenue ruling not tied to Mahon - Ahern
360 jobs lost as Allergan plant in Wicklow closes
14:19 The Allergan plant in Arklow, which employs 360 people, is to close after the company decided to move its manufacturing activity to Costa Rica. The company said the decision was made on cost grounds with wages and corporation taxes being significantly lower in Costa Rica.