Former RUC Chief Constable Ronnie Flanagan today denied having any knowledge of collusion between his officers and a murderous loyalist terror gang in Belfast when he was in charge.

Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams and his party’s national executive will meet in Dublin today to decide whether to press ahead with plans to support the police in Northern Ireland.

TÁNAISTE and Justice Minister Michael McDowell disclosed last night that a formal agreement will be signed between Ireland, Britain and Northern Ireland that will greatly improve the exchange of information about sex offenders moving from one jurisdiction to another.

Garda Commissioner Noel Conroy and PSNI Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde have promised to intensify the crackdown on cross-border crime.

Human rights campaigners today called on the police in the North to learn from the experience of their American counterparts and bin plans to introduce taser guns.

Police in the North today apologised to an IRA murder victim’s family after a new report revealed it took them 20 years to carry out a proper investigation.

PARAMILITARY involvement in crime and policing dominated meetings by Fine Gael and Labour leaders Enda Kenny and Pat Rabbitte with political parties in Belfast.

The loyal marching orders today held a groundbreaking first ever joint meeting with the head of the Catholic Church in Ireland.

Far more people should be charged with the Omagh bomb outrage, victims claimed today.

Pressure from American politicians on Sinn Féin to endorse policing could have a “substantial” influence, Northern Ireland Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde said tonight.

Detectives were given more time tonight to question a Northern Bank staff member about the £26.5m (€38m) robbery last December.

More than 20 police officers are still on sick leave after the ferocious rioting in Belfast earlier this year, it was revealed tonight.

A THIRD man was last night being questioned by detectives investigating the £26.5 million (€39m) Northern Bank heist in Belfast.

PRESIDENT Mary McAleese yesterday scrapped plans to visit a tense and troubled loyalist area of Belfast today.

President Mary McAleese is to hold talks with Northern Ireland’s most senior police officer, Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde, it emerged today.

Work to dismantle one of the most infamous army watchtowers in Northern Ireland will get under way today.

Sinn Féin was today urged to play its full part in policing in the wake of the British government’s demilitarisation plans for Northern Ireland.

A major security operation is under way in Northern Ireland today as thousands of Orangemen take to the streets for the Battle of the Boyne commemoration parades.

ONE night last week gangs of men went into Cliftonpark Avenue, Cliftondene Gardens and Ciftondene Crescent in North Belfast and attacked seven homes: four with bricks and paint bombs and three with petrol bombs.