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.

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.

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

A new complaints procedure which aims to resolve complaints made about the HPSS (Health and Personal Social Services) more quickly has been published for consultation

The Government has reportedly confirmed that it is drafting new legislation to deal with the sexual “grooming” of young people.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has described the investigation into an alleged paedophile ring in Dublin as a ‘very disturbing and worrying matter’.