An IRA sniper convicted of killing the last British soldier to die before the Good Friday peace agreement has been found dead.

Though yesterday’s funeral in Dundalk was tragic, most especially for Det Garda Adrian Donohoe’s widow Caroline, their son Niall — just six years of age — and daughter Amy — seven — we can all take some small crumb of comfort from the powerful reaction to his murder.

The North's political leaders Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness clashed in public today as the split at the heart of the power-sharing government was dramatically exposed.

Politicians in Ireland, north and south, must focus on building the economy and supporting the peace process, Brian Cowen said today.