AN Irish Press reporter was watching a police water cannon vehicle moving into position. He had never seen one in action before.

THE parents of the late Brian Murphy, the teenage student who was kicked to death in a fight outside Club Anabel in Dublin in August 2000 — gave a poignant interview this week following the inquest into the death of their son. They are left with a life sentence of the pain of their loss.

The Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) is to assume a non-military, civilianised role after putting its weapons beyond use, the loyalist paramilitary organisation announced today.

An escape tunnel discovered on the site of the North's infamous Maze Prison may have been dug by loyalist paramilitaries 30 years ago, it was claimed tonight.

FORMER Taoiseach Albert Reynolds yesterday revealed he held secret talks with loyalists in their Belfast heartland 10 years ago to secure their ceasefire.

Former Taoiseach Albert Reynolds held secret talks with loyalists in their Belfast heartland 10 years ago to secure their ceasefire, he said tonight.

A former IRA commander has become the second high-profile Sinn Fein member to honour soldiers who died while fighting for Britain at the Battle of the Somme.

The nature of the apology, argues Fergus Finlay, signals that the IRA is preparing to take the next step.