High-profile priest Father Brian D’Arcy, who has been censured by the Vatican for his writings, warned today that the creation of a “veil of secrecy” worked against efforts to prevent clerical child abuse.

Fr Brian D’Arcy has told of the pain he’s been living with because of his censure by the Vatican.

An Irish priest censured by the Vatican spoke today of his distress over the disciplinary action.

THE FAI yesterday denied Gerry Armstrong’s claim that Northern Ireland players as young as 15 had been ‘tapped up’ by the Republic.

The deal to save the North’s power-sharing government faced its first significant challenge today when the politician tipped to be the new justice minister cast doubt on whether he would accept the post.

Assembly members clashed today over a proposal to extend Stormont business into the Christmas holidays.

Ulster Unionist leader Reg Empey called today for early talks with his SDLP counterpart over his proposal that mandatory power-sharing between nationalists and unionists at Stormont should be ended.

The North's November devolution deadline will be written into emergency legislation.

About 18 buses were damaged in an overnight attack at an Ulsterbus depot in Co Antrim, police said today.

Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble faced renewed pressure to resign today after his predecessor called for a change in the party’s management.

A majority of unionists continue to back the Northern Ireland peace process despite the growing crisis in David Trimble’s Ulster Unionist Party, it was claimed today.

The Ulster Unionist Party is being manipulated by anti-agreement MP Jeffrey Donaldson as he prepares to challenge David Trimble’s leadership, it was claimed today.

Sinn Fein’s Martin McGuinness today accused unionist politicians of doing nothing to persuade loyalist paramilitaries to disarm.

Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams said today he had never been a member of the IRA.

Unionists have said there is nothing new in the latest statement from the IRA.