An evangelical preacher who sparked controversy in the North when he said he did not trust Muslims has apologised for any distress he might have caused.

Northern Ireland’s first minister Peter Robinson has made a public apology for any offence caused to Muslims by his defence of a controversial preacher.

An evangelical preacher who triggered controversy in the North when he claimed he did not trust Muslims has visited the home of two Pakistani victims of race hate attacks.

In an attempt to distance himself from his initial robust defence of the remarks of the Belfast Protestant evangelical minister Pastor James McConnell who described Muslims as heathen, satanic and spawned evil, Northern Ireland’s First Minister Peter Robinson said he believed the pastor "has the right to freedom of speech" but that he "would never seek to cause any insult to any section of our community".

Police in the North are investigating a potential hate crime after an evangelical Protestant preacher said the Muslim faith was "satanic".

More than 200 people braved freezing temperatures to attend the funeral of a man they didn't know in England today.

TAKING part in ceremonial duties for the royal wedding will be a family affair for the Irish Guards, its members said yesterday.

Two men have been arrested in the North in connection with the death of James McConnell last year.

Police in the North have released two men they were questioning in connection with the murder of a man in Derry earlier this year.

Northern Ireland’s firefighters tonight donated their £50,000 (€70,960) hardship fund to the victims of the Asian disaster.