A women’s organisation has called for tougher sentencing after a pimp was jailed in Belfast for four months. Michael Hill, 39, of Plantation Avenue, Carrickfergus, admitted controlling prostitutes for gain.

Over 130 convicted sex offenders are due to walk free from jail halfway through their sentence while the Government continues to deliberate over legislation to replace Ulster’s controversial 50% remission policy, the Belfast Telegraph can reveal today.

The Supreme Court has cleared the way for the DPP to try a 70-year-old priest on charges of indecently assaulting a teenage girl in the north-east in the early 1980s. It overturned a ruling by the High Court which stated that the prosecutorial delays were inexcusable.

The Inspector of Mental Health Services has said the vast majority of the system’s catchment areas lack sufficient staff to provide the multidisciplinary services required by law.

There are signs of a breakthrough in the row over staffing levels at the new maternity hospital in Cork. The €75m facility was due to open last Saturday, but this had to be postponed when nurses and midwives refused to co-operate.

The chief executive of the National Cancer Screening Service has said there needs to be increased equality of access to cancer treatment services across the country.

A new study has reportedly found that large numbers of Irish adults have used sedatives, tranquilisers or anti-depressant drugs.

A sister of former Irish rugby international Victor Costello will be unveiled today as the first all-Ireland director of the Samaritans. Dubliner Suzanne Costello will oversee the charity’s 21 branches and 1,856 volunteers on both sides of the Border.

The DHSSPS has released details of the Northern Ireland Health and Personal Social Services (HPSS) Workforce at 31 March 2006.

A recent survey on sexual health service needs aims to help groups provide better assistance for young people in north and west Belfast. Commissioned by the Health Action Zone, the findings help to point up any gaps in the current provision.