Irish republicans are on the verge of an historic makeover, a senior US State Department official claimed tonight.

THE NORTH’S head of police says its judges are being too “lenient” on terrorists and criminals.

Northern Ireland's top policeman has criticised the judges there for being “lenient” on terrorists and criminals.

The National Committee on American Foreign Policy says it is convinced republicanism has committed itself to a complete cessation of all activities inconsistent with the Good Friday Agreement.

An influential US committee has called for the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement and a real, total and permanent concession of all paramilitary activity in Northern Ireland.

Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble has been weak in defence of the Good Friday Agreement since receiving the Nobel Peace prize, it was claimed today.

The probe into the loyalist paramilitary murder of Catholic lawyer Pat Finucane will result in convictions, the man in charge of the investigation predicted today.

FOR the past two years Ireland has been a member of the Security Council of the United Nations. It has been a momentous couple of years and in time people may question the role we played in what could well be the build-up to many years of strife.

Irish Foreign Minister Brian Cowen tonight told a US audience that Ireland could now send out a positive message to other parts of the world where peace processes were in difficulty.

An influential American body tonight backed calls for a public inquiry into the death of murdered solicitor Pat Finucane.

An influential American body tonight backed calls for a public inquiry into the death of murdered solicitor Pat Finucane.

Senior American politicians are to hear calls tonight for a full public inquiry into the death of murdered solicitor Pat Finucane.

Cabinet Office Minister Mo Mowlam today claimed politicians lack an overall vision and are failing to engage with the young.