Northern Ireland News for March 2005

Northern Ireland News, Mar 31, 2005
M&S to axe 108 jobs in Claudy
Marks & Spencer has announced it is to axe more than 100 jobs at its buying facility in Co Londonderry. A spokesperson for the company said that the decision was a result of the Claudy operation bein...
UK National News, Mar 31, 2005
Prince's press comments overheard
The Prince of Wales was overheard declaring an apparent dislike of the press during an official photocall at his annual skiing holiday in Switzerland. Prince Charles, who is due to marry Camilla Park...
UK National News, Mar 31, 2005
Terri Schiavo succumbs after 13-days
Terri Schiavo, the 41-year-old brain-damaged Florida woman, at the centre of a long-running legal dispute has died. Mrs Schiavo had her feeding tube disconnected on March 18 and had been without food...
Northern Ireland News, Mar 31, 2005
Man detained as robbery attempt foiled
A man has been arrested after an attempted robbery was foiled outside a bank on the outskirts of Belfast on Thursday afternoon. The incident occurred at around 1.30pm as a Securicor van tried to make...
UK National News, Mar 31, 2005
Lib Dems pledge to scrap 'unfair' council tax
The Liberal Democrats have vowed to scrap the "unfair" council tax, on the 15th anniversary of the poll tax riots. The party said that the council tax should be replaced with a local income tax, base...
Northern Ireland News, Mar 31, 2005
Government plumps for Maze as site for national stadium
The site of a new Northern Ireland multi-sports stadium can only be housed at the former Maze prison site in Co Antrim, the Government has said. Finance Minister Ian Pearson said on Wednesday that he...
UK National News, Mar 31, 2005
Howard to 'wipe the smile' off criminals' faces
Conservative leader Michael Howard has announced tough plans to deal with yobbish behaviour on British streets. Planning to "wipe the smile" off "yobs" faces, in a get tough speech on crime, Mr Howar...
Northern Ireland News, Mar 31, 2005
£1m offered to refloat Ballycastle to Campbeltown ferry
A renewed effort to reinstate the Campbeltown to Ballycastle ferry service has been announced by Enterprise Minister Barry Gardiner and Scottish Executive Transport Minister Nicol Stephen. Tenders wi...
Northern Ireland News, Mar 31, 2005
Attack on car may have been racially motivated
Two youths are being questioned by police after a car was vandalised in a suspected racist attack in Armagh. The damaged vehicle was discovered by its owner, who is understood to be of Chinese origin...
UK National News, Mar 31, 2005
Archbishop issues open letter to party leaders
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has issued an open letter to political parties, urging them not to exploit people's fears in their election campaigns. Dr Williams warned that althoug...
UK National News, Mar 31, 2005
Ethnic groups launch equality manifesto
A coalition of ethnic minority organisations have launched a 'black manifesto' highlighting equality issues in the run-up to the next General Election. The coalition is calling for politicians to "ra...
Northern Ireland News, Mar 31, 2005
Police in Easter assault appeal
Police today appealed for information following the serious assault of a 19-year-old man in Londonderry on Easter Monday. The incident, which occurred on the Groarty Road between 8.30pm and 9.30pm, l...
Northern Ireland News, Mar 31, 2005
Marked rise in NI births in 2004
The number of children born to Northern Ireland mothers rose markedly between 2003 and 2004, new statistics issued today have revealed. In 2004, there were 22,318 births to Northern Ireland mothers, ...
Northern Ireland News, Mar 31, 2005
Coastguards launch initiative for safer sea angling
Coastguards in Northern Ireland will be targeting sea anglers over the summer with a new initiative which aims to improve angling safety awareness. The six-month initiative, which will also involve c...
Northern Ireland News, Mar 31, 2005
Honeymoon period ends for Sanchez
The honeymoon period for Northern Ireland manager Lawrie Sanchez is finally over after his side suffered its second defeat in five days after going down 1-0 to Poland in Warsaw on Wednesday night. Un...
UK National News, Mar 31, 2005
Footballer Pennant released from prison
Premiership footballer Jermaine Pennant has been released early from prison, where he was serving a sentence for driving offences. The Arsenal player, who is currently on loan to Birmingham City, was...
UK National News, Mar 31, 2005
Drop in average incomes reported
Average household incomes have dropped for the first time since the recession in the early 1990s, a report by the Institute of Fiscal Studies (IFS). The report found that household incomes after tax ...
Recruitment News, Mar 30, 2005
NAB announces 1,700 jobs cut in UK
The National Australia Bank has today announced that around 1,700 jobs are set to go at the Clydesdale and Yorkshire banks as part of an ongoing program to “rebuild, revitalise and grow” its banking o...
UK National News, Mar 30, 2005
Britons reported missing in Indonesia quake
Around 10 Britons have been reported as missing in the earthquake, which hit Indonesia on Monday, the Foreign Office has stated. The Foreign Office said that they were investigating the reports, but ...
Northern Ireland News, Mar 30, 2005
Arson attack destroys new kidney unit at Altnagelvin
Around £250,000 worth of damage has been caused to a new kidney unit at Londonderry's Altnagelvin hospital following an arson attack on Tuesday. The fire, which was reported at about 9.30pm on Tuesda...
Northern Ireland News, Mar 30, 2005
Shopping centre targeted in firebomb attack
Ards shopping centre has been targeted for the second time this week in an attempted fire bomb attack. Today’s device was found at around 12.20pm but was eventually made safe by army technical office...
UK National News, Mar 30, 2005
Darfur death toll 'grossly underestimated', MPs claim
British MPs have claimed that the death toll in the conflict in the Darfur region of Sudan could be much higher than previously estimated. The World Health Organisation (WHO) had estimated that aroun...
Northern Ireland News, Mar 30, 2005
Man appears in court following fatal stabbing
A man has appeared in court today charged with the murder of another man over the Easter period. Brendan John Joseph Rice, 22, from St Agnes Drive, appeared at Lisburn Magistrates Court on Wednesday ...
UK National News, Mar 30, 2005
Celebrity chef hands in petition to Downing Street
Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver has handed in a petition to Downing Street, protesting at the standards of meals served in Britain's schools. The petition, which contained over 270,000 signatures, was se...
Northern Ireland News, Mar 30, 2005
All criminality and paramilitarism must cease – Murphy
Secretary of State Paul Murphy has reaffirmed the need for all criminal and paramilitary activity to end before the peace process can get back on track. Speaking today on the ITV News Channel Mr Murp...
Northern Ireland News, Mar 30, 2005
Police come under attack in Markets area
Police came under attack near Belfast’s Markets area on Tuesday. Officers responding to a "public disturbance" were targeted with stones and other missiles, as well as a petrol bomb, when they arrive...
UK National News, Mar 30, 2005
Conservatives plan armed forces investment
Conservative leader Michael Howard has announced plans to boost investment in the UK's armed forces, if they should get back into power. Delivering a keynote speech on defence in Blackpool, Mr Howard...
UK National News, Mar 30, 2005
Lib Dems launch local election campaign
The Liberal Democrats have launched their local government election campaign by declaring the party "the growing force" in local government. A statement released by the party stated that the Liberal ...
UK National News, Mar 30, 2005
'Recycling Lottery' proposed to aid environment
The National Consumer Council (NCC) has proposed that a "recycling lottery' should be introduced in the UK, in order to help boost recycling and encourage people to be more 'environmentally friendly'....
UK National News, Mar 30, 2005
Government figures reveal drop in poverty figures
Fewer pensioners and children are living in poverty, new government figures have revealed. A report by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) showed that absolute pensioner poverty has dropped fr...