Northern Ireland News for March 2003

UK National News, Mar 31, 2003
Two soldiers sent home over war protests
Two soldiers have been sent from the Middle East over their opposition to the war in Iraq. The men, members of the 16th Air Assault Brigade, were returned to their barracks in Colchester before war ...
Northern Ireland News, Mar 31, 2003
Sinn Fein resolve not to debate policing until after poll
Despite conciliatory overtones on policing at Sinn Fein's Ard Fheis at the weekend, Gerry Kelly, the party's policing spokesman, has said that the party will not be debating the issue prior to the May...
Northern Ireland News, Mar 31, 2003
Police unearth arms cache in Co Down
A substantial cache of guns and explosives has been found in Co Down. Police have arrested a man in connection the find in which officers discovered a sawn-off shotgun, timing units, an imitation pis...
UK National News, Mar 31, 2003
NI increase could see job cuts
According to the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), one-in-five firms could be set to reduce staff in order to pay for the hike in National Insurance contributions. A survey by the BCC has found tha...
UK National News, Mar 31, 2003
Sellers pack set to make house buying easier
People selling their home will have to provide a pack of information on the property, under plans set out in a draft Housing Bill. It is hoped that the move will iron out various difficulties in pri...
Northern Ireland News, Mar 31, 2003
Three north Belfast PSNI stations to cut opening hours
Three police stations in north Belfast are to have their opening hours cut as part of a move to free up more police man power. The stations at Oldpark, York Road and Greencastle will see their bases ...
Northern Ireland News, Mar 31, 2003
Orange Order hall damaged in arson attack
An Orange Order hall in Loughgall, Co Armagh has been badly damaged in an arson attack. The fire was discovered at around 10.30am on Sunday morning. Bibles and photographs were among a number of item...
Northern Ireland News, Mar 31, 2003
Funding to reduce youth crime announced
Criminal Justice Minister Des Browne has announced additional funding of £12.65 million to develop services to turn young people away from crime. The investment package was unveiled today by the min...
UK National News, Mar 31, 2003
Extra cash earmarked for war effort
Chancellor Gordon Brown has earmarked an extra £1.25 billion for the war in Iraq - bringing the total war budget to around £3 billion. Mr Brown also revealed that an extra £120 million has been alloc...
UK National News, Mar 31, 2003
Marine dies as Baghdad bombing intensifies
Bagdad has been rocked by fresh explosions as the coalition forces continue the bombardment of selected targets withing the Iraqi capital. Explosions caused by renewed bombing last night set fire to ...
UK National News, Mar 31, 2003
Veteran journalist dies in northern Iraq
Veteran Channel 4 news journalist Gaby Rado has died after he apparently fell from the roof of his hotel in northern Iraq on Saturday. It is thought that his death was unconnected with military acti...
Business News, Mar 31, 2003
Invest NI offer practical support to aid company growth
Invest NI has written to client companies, business advisors and financial institutions in Northern Ireland to outline how the agency’s Principles for Business Support provide a framework for assistan...
UK National News, Mar 31, 2003
Cook suffers backlash over 'no war' call
Former Cabinet Minister Robin Cook has sparked a storm of protest after he called for the recall of British troops from Iraq. In an article for a Sunday newspaper, Mr Cook said that he had his fill w...
UK National News, Mar 31, 2003
Amnesty bid to cut gun crime
The government has launched a bid to help rid the streets of illegal guns today with a month-long national firearms amnesty - the first in seven years. The amnesty offers an opportunity for anyone wi...
UK National News, Mar 31, 2003
War fears sets global markets tumbling
Uncertainty over how long the war in Iraq will last has shaken global stock markets with the FTSE slipping by 84 points today. ...
UK National News, Mar 31, 2003
Services hit as rail guards strike over safety concerns
Rail services across the UK have been badly effected today as the second rail guards strike went ahead this morning. The strike seriously disrupted services on nine rail networks as crews staged a w...
Northern Ireland News, Mar 31, 2003
Robinson warns of potential rates ‘time-bomb’
DUP deputy leader Peter Robinson has warned that Northern Ireland is facing a "potential time bomb" unless urgent steps are taken to curb expenditure on regional government. Mr Robinson said: “Northe...
Business News, Mar 31, 2003
Ballymoney firm receives top European distributor award
Northern Forklift, the distributor for STILL forklift trucks and warehouse handling equipment in Northern Ireland, has been named Best Performing STILL Distributor for 2002 for the second year running...
Recruitment News, Mar 31, 2003
RoI small firms job creation set to halve
The Republic of Ireland's Small Firms' Association has revealed that employment creation by small firms will more than halve this year. Findings from its annual employment survey say that this year w...
Northern Ireland News, Mar 31, 2003
Co Fermanagh man suffers broken nose in robbery
A Co Fermanagh man has suffered a broken nose after being assaulted by two men at his home in Enniskillen. The 65-year-old man was confronted by two men who forced their way into his home on Sunday. ...
Northern Ireland News, Mar 31, 2003
Two men to appear in court over separate burglary charges
A 39-year-old man is to appear in Belfast Magistrates Court today charged with aggravated burglary and threats to kill. The charges relate to an incident at Ava Avenue in the Ormeau Road area of sout...
Northern Ireland News, Mar 31, 2003
Ireland disappointment as England take Grand Slam
Ireland's hopes of a first Grand Slam in 55 years ended in disappointment yesterday, as England put in their finest performance in recent years to trump the Irish 42-6 in Landsdowne Road. The game vi...
Northern Ireland News, Mar 31, 2003
Craigan to keep Northern Ireland place
Partick Thistle defender Stephen Craigan is set to keep his place in the heart of the Northern Ireland defence for Wednesday night's Euro 2004 qualifier against Greece at Windsor Park. Craigan's sele...
Recruitment News, Mar 31, 2003
80 jobs set to go at Waterford plant
A manufacturing facility is set to close in Waterford City with the loss of 80 jobs. Management at HP Chemie say the plant is to close because of a downturn in the international community. Employees...
Northern Ireland News, Mar 28, 2003
Trimble slams government over policing proposals
UUP leader David Trimble has criticised the government over its plans to introduce changes to policing legislation, which is set to complete its passage through the House of Commons. The new clauses ...
Northern Ireland News, Mar 28, 2003
Sign for Iraqi special Olympic children defaced
East Antrim MP Roy Beggs has spoken out after vandals defaced a signpost in Larne welcoming 12 disabled Iraqi children to the town ahead of this year's Special Olympics in Dublin. Mr Beggs also reve...
Northern Ireland News, Mar 28, 2003
Power failure leads to rail delays
A major power failure on the Translink network has led to travel chaos at Belfast's Great Victoria Street train station. Hundreds of rail passengers were delayed on their way to work this morning bec...
Northern Ireland News, Mar 28, 2003
Protestants more confident in Police Ombudsman
Figures released today have revealed that confidence in the Police Ombudsman within the Protestant community has risen to over two-thirds – up 20% on last year's mark. The Northern Ireland Statistics...
Northern Ireland News, Mar 28, 2003
Orde has 'positive' meeting with Loyalist Commission
The Chief Constable emerged from talks with a loyalist think-tank last night, saying that there had been a "very positive" exchange of views. The nine-man Loyalist Commission delegation met with Hug...
Northern Ireland News, Mar 28, 2003
Man shot in both ankles in Londonderry
A man has been treated for gunshot wounds to both ankles following a paramilitary-style attack in Londonderry. The 18-year-old was attacked close to a petrol station in the Shantallow area of the cit...