Two Irish rugby stars are to stand trial charged with raping a woman in Belfast, a judge ordered today.

A MECHANIC accused of a loyalist feud killing carried out in a supermarket car park forgot to report in with police three times out of "stupidity", the High Court heard.

THE twin sister of a missing Co Tyrone woman, believed to have been murdered, has pleaded for help in finding her on the fifth anniversary of her disappearance.

THE father of a 10-year-old boy who died after suffering "lacerations" at his home in Co Antrim has been released from police custody.

A full list of road closures across the north.

Prominent loyalist Mark Harbinson failed in his bid today to have his bail conditions eased in the run-up to his trial next month on firearms offences.

The accident happened on October 10.

EXAMS, schools, colleges and universities all shut down yesterday - with parents of young children angry at being given little notice.

THE father of a 10 year-old boy, who died after suffering "lacerations" at his Co Antrim home, remained in custody yesterday.

THE founder of a charity which helps families and children in the Philippines is to launch a fundraising appeal after the organisation's van was burnt out in what police are treating as a hate crime.

NATO crew members are "cooperating with local authorities" after damage was caused to the Lagan Weir footbridge in Belfast.

OUTPATIENT appointments and day case procedures were cancelled at Northern Ireland's biggest health trust yesterday due as hospital staff braced themselves for storm Ophelia.

ALMOST every aspect of daily life across the north was disrupted yesterday as Hurricane Ophelia forced the closure of courts and shops, caused the cancellation of flights and trains and saw workers sent home early.

WITH lunches packed and uniforms washed, dried and ironed - finding out schools may or may not be closed when kids were tucked up in bed was always going to anger parents.

CONCERNS were raised last night about the sentence handed down to a man who wreaked havoc on a quiet residential street in Larne after stealing a fire engine.

The late decision to close schools and colleges across Northern Ireland due to hurricane Ophelia, resulted in a rush to get the information to staff and parents on Sunday night, with the BBC broadcasting a late night 'newsflash' type message.

Convicted double killer Hazel Stewart's family home is set to be sold to settle legal action over benefits inherited from her murdered first husband.

A father of one facing a murder charge told a friend that he thought he broke his foot attacking his victim, a court has been told.

A WOMAN and two men have been killed in three separate weather related accidents in the Republic as the worst storm in 60 years battered Ireland. 

SCHOOLS are to remain closed for a second day amid the clean-up from storm Ophelia. Following harsh criticism that parents were not informed of Monday's closures until late on Sunday, the Department of Education announced shortly after 4pm yesterday that schools...