Bertie Ahern

(Newser) - In his 11 years as Ireland's prime minister, Bertie Ahern presided over explosive economic growth that earned the once-moribund nation the nickname "Celtic Tiger." But his presumptive successor, finance minister Brian Cowen, is inheriting a dismal situation: after a decade of boom, Ireland's economy is set to grow...

(Newser) - The prime minister of Ireland announced his resignation today in the face of a growing scandal over his personal finances, reports the Irish Times. Bertie Ahern, a key player in the Northern Ireland peace deal once tipped to be the first permanent EU president, admitted no wrongdoing in the surprise...

(Newser) - Northern Ireland’s influential first minister, Ian Paisley, will step down in May, Reuters reports. The Protestant evangelist, 81, helped soothe religious strife in the province when he agreed to share power with Catholics last year after decades of fueling the conflict, the AP reports. "I've achieved my aims,...

(Newser) - Incumbent Bertie Ahern is almost certainly headed for a third term as Ireland's prime minister, Ireland's RTÉ is reporting this evening. Ahern's coalition has won 41% of seats in Parliament thus far, likely enough to lead a coalition government.