A Dublin man convicted of murdering a security guard during an armed raid at Clerys department store in 1982 has been re-released from his life sentence.

Michael Gibbons of Oranmore Road in Ballyfermot was freed from prison on license 12 years ago but was detained at Mountjoy recently amid concerns about his behavioural difficulties.

His life sentence was reactivated for failing to carry out community service following a District Court conviction for “threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour”.

Lawyers for the 63-year-old claimed his detention was unlawful as his license for temporary release was revoked without any hearing.

However today they asked the court for more time as the State had changed its position and now contends Gibbons was unlawfully at large since 2003.

For much of that time he was ill following a stroke but State lawyers say by 2010 there were concerns about his behaviour and that he was not engaging with the probation service.

Noting the very large mental health issues in the case Ms. Justice Maureen Clark welcomed as commendable a compromise that allows for his supervised release and for a psychological assessment.

The Finance Minister says a diplomatic offensive will continue to ensure Ireland gets a deal on bank debt.

It comes after 3 Finance Ministers last night seemed to suggest the bailout fund could not be used for past debt and would only apply to future bank capitalisations.

Earlier the Taoiseach told the Dáil that the deal agreed by EU leaders in June would be implemented.

Minister Michael Noonan has addressed the Dáil.

He said the views of the German, Finnish and Dutch Finance Ministers are not widespread.

Air passengers are facing disruption from Monday as the main airports here are hit by strike action.

SIPTU says its members will proceed with staggered work stoppages in a row over pensions with Aer Lingus and the DAA.

Newstalk’s Anna Kavanagh reports.

The Environment Minister says he resents and regrets claims against him of discrimination.

Fianna Fail, Sinn Fein and the Irish Traveller Movement have all hit out at Phil Hogan for making representations against the allocation of a house to a Traveller family in Kilkenny.

He is defending the decision insisting he was only passing on concerns he received from constituents and asserting that other public representatives made similar representations.

Minister Hogan was speaking at the Ploughing Championships.

He also dennies that it amounts to racism or an abuse of power

A receiver has been appointed to the Carlton Hotel at Kinsale in Co. Cork.

The hotel has issued a statement which says the facility will continue to trade as normal under Kieran Wallace of KPMG.

The 94 staff who work there will continue to be employed and all customer bookings, deposits, membership and vouchers will be honoured.