Johnny Mercer has been sacked as minister for veterans following reports he intended to resign over ongoing prosecutions against British soldiers who served in Northern Ireland during the Troubles.

Dissident republicans have planted bombs under the cars of members of the security forces for many years.

A 33-year-old man has been arrested in the Republic over the attempted murder of an off-duty PSNI officer in Eglinton, Co Derry, six years ago.

Gardaí have arrested three men in connection with the murder of David Byrne at Dublin's Regency Hotel five years ago.

Youths have smashed the front window of a house in north Belfast in a suspected hate crime.

POLICE came under attack from youths in fresh disturbances last night as loyalist protests resumed.