RESIDENTS had to be evacuated from their homes in Co Down following an arson attack.
The blaze in a first-floor flat in the Drumawhey Gardens area of Bangor was started at around 11pm on Sunday causing extensive damage.
Police are treating the fire as arson with intent to endanger life.
PSNI Detective Inspector Harry Colgan said: "Thankfully, no-one was in the property at the time of the incident, although a number of residents in neighbouring flats had to be evacuated from their homes for a time.
"A number of rooms in the property were extensively damaged."
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A west Belfast man has been jailed for benefit fraud totalling more than £27,000.
Richard Clarke (55), of Whiterock Parade, was sentenced at Downpatrick Crown Court yesterday to nine months in prison for claiming benefits he was not entitled to.
Clarke claimed Jobseeker’s Allowance, Employment & Support Allowance and Housing Benefit totalling £27,187 while failing to declare employment.
The fraud was uncovered following an investigation by the Department for Communities. He is also required to repay any outstanding money wrongfully obtained.
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A man and a woman were killed yesterday in a road crash involving two cars and a lorry on the main Cork to Limerick road.
Gardai said the victims, aged in their 60s, were pronounced dead at the scene of the crash on the N20 at the Waterloo junction, a turn-off for Blarney, at around 11am.
The driver of the car in which the man and woman died, was also injured, along with another woman in the vehicle.
Their injuries are described as non life-threatening. The lorry driver was not injured.
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Farmers in Donegal whose land was affected by recent flooding are to be offered compensation of up to €15,000.
Parts of the county were left devastated by torrential weather with homes and land badly damaged.
Measures announced by Irish Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed will see many affected landowners offered the chance to avail of compensation from the government.
Irish Farmers' Association chairman Michael Chance said "it’s important to deliver this support speedily and to all farmers who have been affected".
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BT Sport has admitted adjusting the volume during a Celtic football match after a pro-IRA song could be heard from fans.
The drop in volume for viewers at home was made during the singing of 'Merry Ploughboy' at the game against Hamilton Academical at the SuperSeal Stadium on Friday.
The broadcaster said the decision to "adjust microphone settings" was made so viewers would not be offended.
A BT spokesman said: "Inappropriate behaviour by fans at live sporting events has potential to cause offence. We try to prevent this across all live broadcasts by, for example, adjusting microphone settings".
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A Sinn Féin councillor has branded vandalism at Barcroft Community Centre as an "attack on the community".
Liz Kimmins said extensive damage was caused to the building, as windows were smashed and security protections vandalised.
"I am saddened and annoyed that anyone would attack such a valued facility in the Barcroft area, causing such wanton damage," she said.
"The community centre is at the heart of the area, and residents rely on the services and facilities they provide."
