In the North, police are investigating a reported stabbing incident in the Imperial Street area of East Belfast.

A man was bundled into a van at gun point and forced to steal money from his workplace, police said today.

A man charged with murder was applauded by an Ulster Defence Association chief today as he appeared at a court in Belfast.

Police in the North are tonight investigating a spate of paramilitary-style shootings.

The murder victim in Belfast is understood to have suffered a number of stab wounds during an incident which happened overnight at a house in Imperial Street in the Woodstock area of the city.