Other News In Brief

Co Tyrone Driver Fined For Number Of Offences

A Co Tyrone driver has been fined and had his driving licence endorsed with eight penalty points at Dungannon Magistrates' Court.

Shane McKeown, of Brae Court, Moy, contested the offences but was found guilty and fined £100 for using an unlicensed taxi, £200 for having no taxi driver's licence, £100 for having no taxi operator's licence and £400 plus eight penalty points for having no insurance.

On 14 February 2015, a DVA enforcement officer noted a car being driven by Mr McKeown stop outside a nightclub in Cookstown with five male passengers on board. Mr McKeown was observed receiving payment from the passengers before they alighted the vehicle.

Further checks revealed that the vehicle used by Mr McKeown was an unlicensed taxi and that he did not hold a taxi driver's licence, a taxi operator's licence or the appropriate insurance.

New School Building Opens In North Belfast

A new school building has officially opened in north Belfast.

The new school, unscoil Bheann Mhadagáin, is located on the site of the former Cliftonville Cricket Grounds.

As well as the new school, a new floodlit 3G pitch is being created, plus upgraded changing rooms funded by the Belfast City Council for use by the school and local sports clubs.

Education Minister John O'Dowd officially opened the new building.

He said: "I am delighted to return to your school today to see the transformation that has occurred in over a year. What a difference your new state-of-the-art facilities will make to a vibrant and growing school.

"Together with the modern sports facilities, funded by the Belfast City Council, your learning environment has been greatly enhanced.

"Today marks a new chapter in the history of your school. I want to pay tribute to all those associated with the school who have assisted you on this journey. It is most definitely a cause for celebration."

Work To Restore Old Railway Station To Begin

The project to restore old Cultra Railway Station is now firmly back on track,

Alliance Councillor Andrew Muir has said.

The developer has confirmed that restoration plans were set to progress, with work expected to commence in Spring 2016.

Councillor Andrew Muir said: "For the last number of years Larry and I have been working to see Cultra Railway Station restored to its original glory. Whether it was lobbying NAMA via Dominic Hannigan TD to secure the sale, or engaging with Planning Department officials to secure Planning Permission after a long bureaucratic saga we've been working hard to see the building restored.

"I am therefore delighted to learn that work will hopefully commence soon. I have a real passionate desire to see this building restored in the knowledge that far too many buildings have fallen into disrepair and eventually demolished.

"I will therefore continue to show an interest in this issue and provide necessary assistance until we see people living in the newly restored building."

(CD/JP)