Last weekend in the north west of England, father-of-three Garry Newlove was attacked and killed outside his home as he approached a group of youths. The callous nature of this murder and the circumstances surrounding it led local police chief Peter Fahy to call for the government to increase the legal drinking age from 18 to 21.

International experts on suicide are to gather in Killarney this month for a major five-day summit.

Ulster’s main political parties have criticised the Government’s delay in abolishing 50% remission for serious sex offenders and violent criminals. The Belfast Telegraph has revealed that almost 80 sex offenders have been released from jail half-way through their sentences since the Government stated it would replace the policy.

Northern Ireland people owe the Child Support Agency almost £30m, with nearly 7,500 parents failing to make payments. Figures obtained by the BBC suggest at least one in three parents who should be paying child support are not.

Details of £50m capital investment into the health infrastructure in have been revealed. The plans were confirmed at a Board meeting of the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust, where the Health Minister Michael McGimpsey met with the Trust Board members.

The number of children being treated for drug or alcohol abuse in Northern Ireland has more than trebled in the past two years.

A £77 million plan to regenerate low-cost housing in Northern Ireland has been launched by the Social Development Minister.

Amnesty International is set to defy the Vatican and risk the wrath of Catholics around the world over its decision to back abortion for rape victims.

A Nobel Peace Prize-winning aid agency will be demonstrating a Third World field clinic to the public at a cultural festival in Dublin this month.

A US Marine captain has been court-martialled for sexually assaulting two corporals and a sergeant during a drunken rampage in a luxury Ulster hotel, the Belfast Telegraph can reveal.