Joshua Molloy, from Ballylynan, Co Laois, a former Royal Irish Regiment soldier, was incarcerated along with two other British citizens after crossing a border with Syria.

The three had previously spent a number of months fighting against ISIS in Syria but had decided to return home when they were captured.

They were imprisoned for about 10 days by authorities from the Kurdish Regional Government and it is understood demands had been made for $15,000 (€13,363) in fines to be paid to secure their release.

A descendant of one of the chief organisers of the Easter 1916 Rising, has criticised the fact that the last stronghold of the 1916 Rising has not yet been preserved by the State.

James Connolly Heron, the grandson of famed revolutionary James Connolly, laments that no progress on the issue can be made until a new government is formed.

Today marks the actual centenary of the beginning of the Easter Rising. Several events took place around the country to commemorate the occasion, including the Laochra spectacle in Croke Park. 

The conservation of Moore Street in Dublin city centre, has been the subject of a long-running court case and last month, the High Court ruled in favour of the Save Moore Street campaigners.

A candle-lit service has been held in Nepal to remember the people who were killed in an earthquake last year.

In addition to the fatalities, the 7.8 magnitude quake left hundreds of thousands of people homeless and little construction work has been carried out to rebuild the city since then, despite foreign donors pledging more than four billion dollars in aid.

It is estimated that over 8,500 people died in the disaster and more than 600,000 homes were left destroyed.

To commemorate the memories of the victims, people gathered at the remains of a historic tower in Kathmandu which collapsed during the tragic event. Among those who attended the service were the family members of those who died in the quake.

Police in Northern Ireland are becoming increasingly concerned about the whereabouts of a six-year-old girl and her mother.

Rosemary Gregg (48), from Limavady in Co Derry, and her daughter Orlaith, were last seen on Friday night when they left their home. 

Police believe that the pair may be in the Belfast area but there are also suspicions that they may have travelled to Dublin.

Ms Gregg is described as being of medium build, with brown eyes and shoulder length dirty fair hair. She was last seen wearing a black Superdry jacket. Her daughter Orlaith, is said to be a blonde-haired girl of slim build.

A choir from Kilkenny stunned Britain's Got Talent judges this weekend, with an impressive audition.

In the third round of the popular singing competition, the Kilkenny Presentation School Choir performed a rousing rendition of Adiemus. 

The group received a standing ovation at the end of the piece and the judges were quick to unload the compliments. Simon Cowell commended them for their choice of choreography as well as the quality of their harmonious singing.