Other News In Brief

Library Members Can Borrow Books From Any Library Throughout Ireland

The announcement was made by Libraries Minister Carál Ní Chuilín and Minister of State for the NewEra project Fergus O’Dowd at a reception in the Long Gallery at Stormont celebrating the 2012 annual joint conference of the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) Ireland and the Library Association of Ireland (LAI).

Welcoming the delegates from all over Ireland to Stormont Carál Ní Chuilín said: “Libraries are at the heart of local communities. They deliver an important public service. It’s a positive step that book borrowing services are available across Ireland. Library members, north and south will be able to use their nearest or most convenient library, or a library where they go on holiday. There is a lot to be gained from an all-Ireland approach which will improve the delivery of key public services.”

Farmer Fined For Pollution Offence

A Co Armagh farmer pleaded guilty and was fined £500 plus court costs at Armagh Magistrates' Court today.

Damien McParland, of Ballymoran Road, Lisnadill, Armagh, Co Armagh, was fined for making a polluting discharge to a waterway.

On 7 April 2011, a Water Quality Inspector,acting on behalf of the Northern Ireland Environment Agency observed an unnamed tributary of the Butter Water River to be grossly polluted due to the presence of heavy fungus growth. There was a black discolouration on the bed of the waterway and large amounts of bloodworm present. The source of the polluting discharge was traced to a farm owned by Mr McParland. The waterway was polluted for approx 1200m.

A sample taken at the time of the incident confirmed that the discharge contained poisonous, noxious, or polluting matter which would have been potentially harmful to fish life in the receiving watercourse.

Foyle Street Bus Station Gets A Makeover

Extensive refurbishment works have recently been completed to enhance the waiting facilities for passengers using the Bus Station in Foyle Street, Londonderry.

Mayor of Derry City Council Alderman Maurice Devenney is accompanied by Alan Young, Translink Service Delivery Manager, for a tour of the newly upgraded Foyle Street Bus Station which has recently been extensively refurbished. Work included improvements to the passenger waiting area with new lighting and flooring, better signage and improvements to the shop kiosk and café areas offering greater levels of comfort and convenience.

(CD/GK)