In last week's newspaper on page 19 we published a letter which referred to Mr Dermot Ahern TD, Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform.

We regret publishing this letter and headline and we accept that this letter and headline were both untrue and defamatory of Minister Ahern in that they suggested that Minister Ahern condoned cheating and was, by implication, corrupt.

We unreservedly withdraw such assertions and inferences. We accept that this letter and headline have caused Minister Ahern offence.

We take this opportunity to unreservedly apologise to Minister Ahern for publishing the letter and the headline and for the offence which they caused.