Man held over post office raid

A lone male entered the premises in north Dublin and demanded cash at approximately 3.30pm yesterday.

He was armed with what was described as a knife and left the scene empty-handed in the direction of Swords Road.

A Garda unit responding to the call arrested a man a short distance away on Swords Road and recovered a knife.

There was no one injured in the incident.

The male is currently detained at Coolock Garda Station under the provisions of Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984.

Gardai have appealed for witnesses to contact them at Coolock garda station on 01 666 4200.

ONE DEAD, 50 TRAPPED IN MALL

Part of a shopping mall under construction has collapsed in South Africa trapping up to 50 workers.

Police said one person was killed and 26 were injured when the roof collapsed at the mall in Tongaat, near Durban.

Rescue teams rushed to help workers who were trapped beneath the rubble, guided by sniffer dogs combing the area for survivors.

MEP AYLWARD TO STEP DOWN

FIANNA Fail MEP Liam Aylward is stepping down from the European Parliament next year.

Mr Aylward last night said he believes it is time to allow "new candidates to make their contribution".

Senior Fianna Fail figures attempted to persuade the party veteran to continue as an MEP for an additional term.

However, Mr Aylward has told colleagues he feels now is the right time to bow out.

The decision is likely to pave the way for former Junior Agriculture Minister Sean Connick to return to politics.

BUSH SHOWS ART ON CHAT SHOW

FORMER US President George W. Bush showed off his paintings on the 'The Tonight Show' with Jay Leno.

The 43rd president told the chat show host that he was inspired to take up painting after reading a Winston Churchill essay.