Northern Ireland News for August 2005

UK National News, Aug 31, 2005
First GP performance figures released
Patients in England will be able to check how well their local GP’s surgery is performing with new figures published on Wednesday. Patients will be able to check surgeries to see how they score on a ...
UK National News, Aug 31, 2005
One in ten children suffers mental disorder, study claims
One in ten children has a clinically recognisable mental disorder, a new survey has claimed. The survey of children, aged between 5 and 16 in private households in England, Scotland and Wales, was ca...
UK National News, Aug 31, 2005
Second woman arrested in baby fire death case
Police have confirmed that a second woman has been arrested, following the death of a baby in a house fire in Newcastle at the weekend. Northumbria police confirmed that a 21-year-old Newcastle woman...
UK National News, Aug 31, 2005
Clarke hits leadership campaign trail
Former chancellor Kenneth Clarke promises to be the "popular" choice as he launches his campaign for the Conservative leadership promising to return the Tories to power. Although 65-year-old Clarke h...
UK National News, Aug 31, 2005
Divorce rate ‘second highest since 1996’
The divorce fell by 0.1% in England and Wales in 2004, the latest figures have revealed, although the number of divorces remains at its second highest level since 1996. The number of divorces in Engl...
Recruitment News, Aug 31, 2005
US firm set to create 40 jobs on £1.8m investment in Belfast
A leading US provider of network technology solutions has set up its European centre of operations in Belfast as part of a £1.8 million investment programme. The move, which is being supported by Inv...
UK National News, Aug 31, 2005
Teachers’ working conditions set to change
Every school teacher in England will be entitled to allocate 10% of their timetable for planning, preparing and assessing lessons, under new government changes which come into effect on Thursday. Pla...
Northern Ireland News, Aug 31, 2005
Loyalists blamed for petrol bomb attack on school
Loyalists are being blamed for a petrol bomb attack on a Catholic school in Ballymena last night. Fire crews were called to Saint Louis Primary School on the Cullybackey Road at about 11pm on Tuesday...
UK National News, Aug 31, 2005
Shipman ‘stolen jewellery’ investigation closes
An investigation into jewellery found at the home of serial killer Harold Shipman has concluded, with one ring being returned to the family of one of his victims. The ring was one of a number of item...
Northern Ireland News, Aug 31, 2005
Westminster funeral for Lord Fitt
The funeral of former SDLP leader Lord (Gerry) Fitt is to take place in London today. Lord Fitt died last Friday after suffering a decline in health in recent months. Tuesday's service will take pla...
Northern Ireland News, Aug 31, 2005
PSNI failing to tackle loyalist violence claims Kelly
Sinn Féin spokesperson on policing Gerry Kelly has accused the PSNI of "abjectly" failing to tackle ongoing loyalist paramilitary activity. Mr Kelly's remarks follows numerous attacks on catholic ho...
Northern Ireland News, Aug 31, 2005
Five arrested in connection with counterfeit cigarettes
Five people have been arrested in connection with the seizure of counterfeit cigarettes in Co Armagh. Officers from the PSNI's Organised Crime Unit arrested the two men and three women after 287,000 ...
Northern Ireland News, Aug 31, 2005
Two court service officials face probe over trip
Two senior court officials have been suspended pending an probe into a holiday in Copenhagen with the head of a private security firm. In a statement the Northern Ireland Court Service confirmed that...
Northern Ireland News, Aug 31, 2005
US firm to establish £1.8m Belfast base
A leading US provider of network technology solutions has set up its European centre of operations in Belfast as part of a £1.8 million investment programme. The move, which is being supported by Inv...
Northern Ireland News, Aug 31, 2005
Lottery cash to fund 'Active Lifestyles'
Some of Northern Ireland’s most 'promising' athletes could be on their way to the Olympic Games in China in three years' time thanks to a cash windfall from the Big Lottery Fund. The largest of the N...
Northern Ireland News, Aug 31, 2005
Climate change to cause chaos in NI seas
Climate change could wreak havoc on the UK and Irish marine environment, according to a warning in a WWF report. 'Climate change: Plunging our Seas into Deeper Crisis' claims that an increase in sea ...
Business News, Aug 31, 2005
University builds technology links with India
The University of Ulster (UU) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with one of India's leading universities, following its participation in recent Invest NI organised trade missions to the r...
UK National News, Aug 31, 2005
Barclays bee sting ad banned by ASA
A television advertisement by Barclays Bank showing a man suffering an allergic reaction to a bee sting has been withdrawn, following a number of complaints. The ad showed a man being stung in the mo...
Northern Ireland News, Aug 31, 2005
University builds technology links with India
The University of Ulster (UU) has signed an agreement with one of India's leading universities, following its participation in recent Invest NI organised trade missions to the region. The memorandum ...
Northern Ireland News, Aug 31, 2005
Cardiff duo sent home following 'breach of discipline'
Cardiff City midfield pair Jeff Whitley and Phil Mulryne have been sent home following "a breach of discipline" during the build up to this weekend's World Cup qualifier against Azerbaijan at Windsor...
UK National News, Aug 30, 2005
Police appeal for information in baby death arson attack
Police have issued an appeal for information after a baby died and his mother was injured in an arson attack on a house in Newcastle. Four-month-old Alexander Gallon died in hospital, following the a...
Northern Ireland News, Aug 30, 2005
Catholic school targeted in petrol bomb attack
A catholic school in the Co Antrim town of Ballymena has been targeted in an overnight petrol bomb attack. Five devices were thrown at St Mary's School in the Harryville area of the town between 5pm ...
Northern Ireland News, Aug 30, 2005
Suicide rates rise follows end of 'Troubles'
The number of people in Northern Ireland who have committed suicide since the end of the Troubles has risen, according to new research. The study, carried out by the University of Ulster and the Depa...
Northern Ireland News, Aug 30, 2005
Emergency landing at Belfast City Airport
A flight bound for Liverpool from Belfast City Airport was forced to turn back this morning after an engine problem developed shortly after the plane had taken off. The problem developed 15 minutes i...
UK National News, Aug 30, 2005
Consultation on violent internet porn launched
The government has launched a consultation on proposals to ban violent and abusive pornography available on the internet. The sale, distribution and importation of extreme pornography is illegal in t...
UK National News, Aug 30, 2005
Teenage boys charged with murdering woman
Police have charged two teenage boys in connection with the murder of a woman at a christening party in London. The two accused, a 14-year-old from Peckham and a 16-year-old from New Cross, are charg...
Northern Ireland News, Aug 30, 2005
New paper aims to unite unionism
Over 200,000 copies of a newspaper which will "promote unionist and loyalist views" is to be delivered across Northern Ireland, it was revealed on Monday. The "Love Ulster Campaign", which is being b...
UK National News, Aug 30, 2005
Review of sex offenders law pledged following Rory murder
Scotland’s First Minister Jack McConnell has pledged to review legislation dealing with sex offenders, following the murder of schoolboy Rory Blackhall. On Tuesday, it emerged that a man found dead b...
Northern Ireland News, Aug 30, 2005
Lisburn Historic Quarter to benefit from facelift
Lisburn's Historic Quarter could be restored under two new grant schemes being funded by the Department for Social Development (DSD). DSD has approved funding of £38,300 for the schemes which have be...
Northern Ireland News, Aug 30, 2005
NIE launch wood pellet heating scheme
Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE) has this week launched a new renewable energy initiative offering businesses across the province grant support to install wood pellet heating units. The scheme, whi...