The IRA is still unlikely to carry out a major terrorist operation which would breach the organisation’s ceasefire but retained its capability, a senior policeman in Northern Ireland claimed today.

Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble has urged British Prime Minister Tony Blair to ban Sinn Féin from any future Stormont Assembly.

A POLICE raid on Sinn Féin offices at Stormont which led to the suspension of devolution in Northern Ireland had to take place for the sake of democracy, it was claimed yesterday.

A police raid on Sinn Féin offices at Stormont which led to the suspension of devolution in Northern Ireland had to take place for the sake of democracy, it was claimed today.

SINN FÉIN president Gerry Adams last night welcomed news the three Irishmen held in Colombia were to be released and called on the Government to “ensure the men get home safely to their families”.

Members of the IRA can escape criminal charges against them because it is not a specified paramilitary organisation, it was claimed today.

LOYALIST prisoners in the North’s top security jail were locked in their cells last night after a riot during which 18 prison officers were injured and hundreds of thousands of pounds of damage was caused.

Loyalist prisoners in Northern Ireland’s top security jail were being locked in their cells tonight after a riot during which 18 prison officers were injured.

A POLICEWOMAN was critically ill last night after a man who sought refuge at the station where she was working bludgeoned her with a 5ft-long steel bar.

A policewoman was critically ill tonight after a man who sought refuge at the station where she was working bludgeoned her with a 5ft-long steel bar.