In our editions of Saturday, September 28th, in an article under the heading "Co ordinated British effort to combat IRA is paying off", we inadvertently and unintentionally stated: "Michael Collins, the self confessed killer and police agent from Newry, admitted he had been sickened by his own actions while part of the South Armagh IRA.
"When confronted by RUC, interrogators with details of a no warning IRA bombing in which a 12 year old boy was killed in Banbridge, Co Down, he turned and agreed to become an informant."
The Irish Times greatly regrets any suggest ion that this reference was to Michael Collins of 2 Crescent 1, Muirhevnamore, Dundalk, and formerly of Newry. The statement is false and untrue in every respect.
The Irish Times apologises unreservedly for any injury or hurt caused to him by this publication and welcomes the opportunity to correct the record and to state that it was not at any time intended to suggest that he had any paramilitary or criminal involvement.
A sum in damages will be paid to Mr Collins.
