Northern Ireland News for February 2006

UK National News, Feb 28, 2006
Two UK soldiers killed in Iraq bombing
A roadside bomb attack has killed two British soldiers and injured another on the outskirts of al Amara in Southern Iraq. According to a Ministry of Defence (MoD) spokesperson the injured soldier is ...
UK National News, Feb 28, 2006
Government publishes controversial education bill
The government has published its controversial Education Bill, although it includes several concessions, following a threatened rebellion by many Labour backbenchers. The Education and Inspections Bi...
Northern Ireland News, Feb 28, 2006
Man found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving
A west Belfast man has been convicted of causing the deaths of two children by dangerous driving. After 45 minutes deliberation the jury unanimously convicted 44-year-old Wayne Johnston, formerly fro...
Northern Ireland News, Feb 28, 2006
Police launch investigation after teenager is raped
Police have launched an investigation into the serious sexual assault of a 15-year-old girl in County Londonderry at the weekend. It is understood that the attack took place on the Bushmills Road in ...
UK National News, Feb 28, 2006
Lorry found in Kent robbery investigation
Police investigating the £53 million robbery at the Securitas depot in Tonbridge, Kent, have recovered a lorry they believe may have been used during the raid. Detectives had been trying to trace a 7...
Northern Ireland News, Feb 28, 2006
Belfast Education and Library Board to vote on £4m budget cut
The Belfast Education and Library Board is being asked to approve a number of cuts, estimated to be in the region of £4 million. It is understood that the huge cutbacks have been called for due to fa...
Northern Ireland News, Feb 28, 2006
Jobs saved at Tyrone Crystal
Workers at Tyrone Crystal in Dungannon have won a repreive following the sale of the business. It is reported that two Northern Ireland businessmen have purchased the company, however their identity ...
UK National News, Feb 28, 2006
Court delays Livingstone suspension
The Mayor of London Ken Livingstone has had his four-week suspension from his post delayed pending an appeal against the decision. Mr Livingstone's ban, which was due to begin tomorrow, was imposed a...
Northern Ireland News, Feb 28, 2006
Police make fresh appeal in Lisa Dorrian case
Detectives investigating the murder of 25-year-old Lisa Dorrian have today renewed their appeal for information, exactly one year after her disappearance. The investigation team will send text messag...
UK National News, Feb 28, 2006
Cable & Wireless to axe 3,000 jobs
Telecoms firm Cable & Wireless has announced that it plans to cut up to 3,000 jobs in the UK within the next five years. The move is part of restructuring plans for the firm's UK business, which aim ...
Northern Ireland News, Feb 28, 2006
Overnight snow causes disruption to traffic
Police have warned motorists to take extra care when driving due to heavy overnight snow across Northern Ireland. The Roads Service has gritted all main roads, however drivers have been advised to dr...
Business News, Feb 28, 2006
Campaign targets tax cheats
The first ever TV campaign targeting tax dodgers will be launched tomorrow by HM Revenue & Customs. The advertisement, which will feature prominently on commercial television stations, features a wor...
UK National News, Feb 28, 2006
Powergen announces price rises
Energy supplier Powergen has announced that it is to increase gas and electricity prices this year. The increases, which will come into effect from March 10, will electricity prices rise by 18.4% and...
Northern Ireland News, Feb 28, 2006
Independent review set up for environmental agency
Environmental Minister Jeff Rooker has today appointed a panel of independent specialists to take forward a review of environmental protection agency. The Minister said that the Secretary of State ha...
Northern Ireland News, Feb 28, 2006
High-tech business village opens in Bangor
North Down has received a major boost with the official opening of a new, high-tech business village in Bangor, bringing small businesses and further education closer together. Opening the North Down...
Recruitment News, Feb 28, 2006
Packaging Company's £3.75m Investment Promises 11 Jobs
Webtech, part of the Marchmont Group, has invested over £3.75 million in state-of-the-art technology with support from Invest Northern Ireland, which is expected to create up to 11 new jobs and secure...
Northern Ireland News, Feb 28, 2006
Man released without charge after questioning over bank robbery
A man, who was questioned following a bank robbery on Friday, has been released without charge. The man was arrested on Sunday afternoon after police carried out searches at a number of houses in nor...
UK National News, Feb 28, 2006
Government's child obesity target 'may not be met'
The government's target to halt the rise of child obesity by 2010 may not be met unless there is "clearer leadership", a report has warned. The incidence of childhood obesity increased from 9.6% in 1...
UK National News, Feb 28, 2006
Asylum applications 'lowest level in a decade'
Asylum applications have fallen to their lowest level for more than a decade, according to the latest figures published by the Home Office. The figures showed that there were 6,165 applications in th...
Northern Ireland News, Feb 28, 2006
Reception held for Charter Mark holders
The 'customer-first' approach of 25 local Charter Mark achieving organisations has been celebrated at a reception in Parliament Buildings. NIO Minister of State Jeff Rooker hosted the event organised...
Recruitment News, Feb 28, 2006
High-Tech Business Village Opens In Bangor
North Down has received a major boost with the official opening of a new, high-tech business village in Bangor, bringing small businesses and further education closer together. Opening the North Down...
UK National News, Feb 28, 2006
OFT launches internet scam sweep
The Office of Fair Trading has launched an internet scam sweep and web chat in a bid to trap online scammers. Over the next three days, thousands of websites will be examined by consumer protection a...
UK National News, Feb 27, 2006
Report highlights gender pay gap in the UK
Women are still being paid less than men, thirty years after the introduction of equal pay legislation, a new report has found. The government-commissioned "Shaping a Fairer Future" report from the W...
UK National News, Feb 27, 2006
Man who killed parents is jailed for life
A man who murdered both his parents has been sentenced to life imprisonment at Bristol Crown Court. Michael Clarke, 21, stabbed his parents - Milroy, 70 and Joan, 56 - to death at their home in Melks...
Recruitment News, Feb 27, 2006
Working with the Government to Get People Back to Work
The Government has announced a radical reform of the welfare state aiming to get people off benefits and back into work. The Green paper aims to end the legacy of benefit dependency and deprivation ...
UK National News, Feb 27, 2006
Police conduct DNA tests in search for model's killer
Police are conducting DNA tests in an attempt to find the killer of teenage model Sally Anne Bowman. The eighteen-year-old model was stabbed to death close to her home in Croydon, south London last S...
Northern Ireland News, Feb 27, 2006
Minister to receive Garda report on Dublin riot
An initial Garda report into the sectarian riot in Dublin on Saturday is expected to be made to Irish Minister for Justice Michael McDowell later today. Irish police made 42 arrests following the str...
UK National News, Feb 27, 2006
£53 million stolen in Kent robbery
The gang which carried out the robbery at the Securitias depot in Tonbridge, Kent, last week, escaped with £53 million it has been confirmed. Assistant Chief Constable Adrian Leppard also announced t...
Northern Ireland News, Feb 27, 2006
Police investigate Portadown riot
Police are investigating disturbances in Portadown town centre that are believed to be connected with street violence in Dublin on Saturday. Around 100 people were involved in rioting which broke out...
Northern Ireland News, Feb 27, 2006
Two remanded in custody over weapons find
Two people from south Belfast have been remanded in custody charged with the possession of weapons and explosives. The court heard that eight handguns, a semi-automatic rifle, 1,500 rounds of ammunit...