Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins paid tribute to gritting teams working on the road network.

Scores of events took place across the island, including some which raised money for charity.

It comes as officer numbers dropped to 6,190 last summer.

Ten Protestant workmen were shot dead at the side of a road in Co Armagh by republican terrorists in the atrocity in 1976.

One expert said ‘strange phenomena’ is ‘undoubtedly being seen in Irish skies’.

Police Federation chairman Liam Kelly said the legacy of the past needs to be ‘firmly gripped’ by the Government.

Police Federation for Northern Ireland chief Liam Kelly said he wants to see officers able to better protect themselves.

Michelle O’Neill accused the Labour Government of making ‘false promises of a new dawn’, but ‘following Tory austerity’.

The owners and investors in the facility have committed to continuing to support the attraction in Co Down.

Filming is due to get under way for new seasons of Blue Lights and Line Of Duty in early 2026.

Elizabeth Hamilton’s security career stretches back to working as a civilian searcher in Belfast city centre.

The winter solstice, marking the shortest day and longest night of the year, happens just after 3pm on Sunday.

Micheal Martin also met Prime Minister of Lebanon Nawaf Salam and pressed him over justice for Private Sean Rooney who was killed in the country.

Coming less than a week before Christmas, it heard reflections that had Jesus been born today, he would be ‘born under siege’.

The charity provides almost 8,000 pet parcels a week with food, blankets, basic care items and toys.

Education Minister Paul Givan also said he can give a pay increase of up to 4% for teachers.

The Executive is also understood to be continuing to discuss plans for its first multi-year budget in more than a decade.

It comes after Government won an appeal which prevents a coroner in Northern Ireland disclosing certain sensitive material at a Troubles inquest.

A judge cautioned the trial may not be able to go ahead next month as planned if industrial action by barristers takes place.

The Independent Commission for the Location of Victims’ Remains said they searched 26 acres of Bragan Bog in Co Monaghan for Mr McVeigh.