The Government was considering scrapping the controversial Charitable Lotteries Scheme years before Justice Minister Alan Shatter decided to phase it out, arguing was no longer “fit for purpose”.

Dissident republicans have been blamed for a series of arson attacks which destroyed major retail premises near the border today.

Major retail premises have been destroyed in suspected arson attacks across Newry in the North overnight.

A massive fire which destroyed 5,000 tyres at a Northern Ireland industrial estate today may have been an arson attack, authorities believe.