More news in brief.
Robinson repeats gay comments
The DUP Strangford MP Iris Robinson has told the Assembly that her recent comments about homosexuality had been misrepresented. However she repeated some of her controversial views on the subject.
Ms Robinson, who has resisted calls to resign as chairwoman of the Northern Assembly health committee over her remarks, said she had never set out to suggest that homosexuality was a mental disorder.
She had previously stated that gay people could be "turned around" with psychiatric assistance.
But she told the Assembly yesterday: "Over the past few weeks some people have attempted to suggest that I indicated that homosexuality was a mental health issue. But I am big, I have got broad shoulders and I can take the brickbats that followed from that. Nothing could be further from the truth. What I did say was homosexuality, like all sin, is an abomination."
Man arrested over bar shooting
British detectives have arrested a man over the loyalist murder of six people during a pub attack in Northern Ireland.
The 45-year-old man was detained in Maidstone, Kent, in connection with the 1994 Ulster Volunteer Force attack in a bar in Loughinisland, Co Down where patrons were watching Ireland play Italy in the World Cup.
Police are also questioning him about the attempted murder of five drinkers in the bar. The suspect is being questioned at Antrim police station.
The victims were Adrian Rogan (34), Eamon Byrne (39), Patsy O'Hare (35), Dan McCreanor (59), Barney Green (87) one of the oldest murdered during the troubles, and Malcolm Jenkinson ( 54).
Their families had criticised the original police investigation for lack of progress.
Tóibín awarded honorary degree
Novelist Colm Tóibín was yesterday awarded an honorary degree from the University of Ulster in recognition of his contribution to contemporary Irish literature.
Tóibín, who has twice been shortlisted for the Booker prize and who in 2006 won the Impac award for his novel The Master, was awarded a doctor of letters degree at the university's summer graduations ceremony.
Woman has baby on cruise ship
An 23-year-old Irish woman who said that she had no idea she was pregnant, gave birth on a cruise ship after suddenly going into labour.
She gave birth at 5am on Sunday morning on the Thomson Destiny cruise liner which was sailing off the west coast of Italy at the time.
Work begins on Knock terminal
Work began yesterday on the construction of a terminal extension costing €5.5 million at Ireland West Airport Knock.