A pensioner who died from severe head injuries in east Belfast was beaten to death in his own home, detectives say. The body of 92-year-old Charles Stead was discovered at his house in Canberra Park in Dundonald on Monday after neighbours raised the alarm.

Psychiatrists have called for mental health services to be included in the remit of the new Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) which will be set up shortly to monitor and maintain safety standards in the health service.

Derry O’Rourke, the former Irish international swimming coach who was jailed for 12 years for sexually abusing young girls who were under his supervision, has been released from prison.

The stereotypes that surround asylum seekers and refugees are well known, though of course not everyone believes them. Asylum seekers face potential discrimination in many aspects of their day-to-day lives, particularly from people who believe they are “fake” refugees, seeking benefits to which they are not entitled.

No extra funding is planned for suicide prevention this year, the Tánaiste told the Dáil today. No extra funding is planned for suicide prevention this year, the Tánaiste told the Dáil today.

Minister of State Tom Parlon has outlined radical proposals to tackle the growing problem of social isolation in the country. Speaking at the Progressive Democrats conference Mr Parlon said social isolation was one of the most pressing challenges our country is facing today.

Politicians should develop a new child-friendly programme for government if the Assembly is restored. That is the call from Children in Northern Ireland (CiNI), the regional umbrella body for the children’s sector.

Nurses are set to unveil plans for a major escalation in industrial action as part of their campaign for improved pay and conditions. Around 40,000 nurses across the country are expected to boycott clerical, administrative, telephone and IT work from Monday of next week.

Almost 30% of 16-year-olds in Northern Ireland were bullied at school within a two month period, according to a new survey. The Young Life and Times Survey was carried out by NI’s two universities. It found students bullied at school were more likely to feel pressure to smoke, drink and go on diets.

Legal measures aimed at counteracting anti-social behaviour, known as ASBOs, come into force today. The orders are being brought into operation for children of at least 12 and below 18