The grip on the empire controlled by the man who was once Ireland’s richest individual has been prised a further notch open following one of the most dramatic days in the recent history of the Four Courts.

Loyalist leader Mark Haddock was kept apart from 13 co-accused as one of the biggest paramilitary murder trials in decades began in the North today.

A loyalist leader and 13 of his alleged associates are due in the dock today as one of the biggest paramilitary murder trials in decades begins in the North.

A burst water pipe above an Old Bailey courtroom has delayed the trial of six-times champion jockey Kieren Fallon.