An Irish Air Corps aircraft will carry scientists and a new solar telescope into the path of next week's total solar eclipse in a bid to unlock the mysteries of the Sun's superheated outer atmosphere.

Firefighters have been battling the blaze in the Slievenamon area, near Clonmel, since Monday.

Dunne is seeking an order quashing the decision refusing his promotion and is taking his case against the Minister for Defence, Ireland and the Attorney General.

One of the Defence Forces newest aircraft has spent almost 40 per cent of the last year undergoing maintenance in Spain.

Micheál Martin said this week's record drug haul was a "great success"