A 51-year-old man was charged today with a car bomb attack on a courthouse in the North.

Seven men were arrested in connection with dissident republican activity in major police operations on both sides of the border today.

A major security operation was under way in the North tonight amid fears that dissident republicans are planning to launch attacks in the run-up to the UK General Election.

Firefighters were hailed as heroes today after evacuating residents moments before a car bomb exploded outside a police station in the North.

AN early act of decommissioning by the IRA, possibly this weekend, could pave the way for talks aimed at restoring devolution in the North beginning as early as September.