Other NI News In Brief

Dublin Government Wrongly Accepted Donations

The Irish government may be in hot water today as an investigation by an Irish newspaper has revealed that Fianna Fail allegedly failed to disclose rule-breaking donations around the time of the last election. The story, in Monday's Irish Examiner, said the party took donations above the declaration threshold, which should have been notified to the Standards in Public Office Commission and were not. See: Report Claims Dublin Government Wrongly Accepted Donations

President Highlights Suicide

The Public Initiative for the Prevention of Suicide & Self-harm, (PIP'S) has welcomed the President of Ireland Mary McAleese and her husband Martin to officially open the new PIP'S House headquarters in Belfast's Duncairn Gardens today. Along with Dawn Purvis, the PUP MLA, Mrs McAleese planted a special 'Tree of Life' in memory of loved ones who have died by their own hand. President McAleese and Dawn Purvis both speak about the aims of the new house and the issue of suicide - which can affect anyone on the island of Ireland. See: Irish President's Belfast Trip To Highlight Suicide

Ferry Fall Man Saved

A man has been plucked from the sea after going overboard on a high-speed Irish Sea ferry crossing. He was seen jumping from the Larne to Troon ferry on Sunday evening. The boat, which was travelling at about 30 knots, turned around to look for him and launched its onboard fast rescue craft while a helicopter from Prestwick and a RNLI lifeboat from Girvan joined the search. The man was winched to safety and examined by two doctors on the ferry and was taken to hospital after the vessel, a P&O 'Express', docked at Troon.

Rapist Hunted

The police have launched a hunt for a rapist who attacked a 62-year-old woman in her home. The sex attacker forced his way in to his victim's house in the Cliftonville Road area of the city after knocking on the door at around 3am. The woman was subjected to a prolonged assault before the man left, possibly in the direction of Cliftonville Circus. Police said the woman was severely traumatised by her ordeal. The attacker is described as being in his late 20s to early 30s, 5ft 9ins tall, of a slim built and had short dark hair. He wore blue jeans, a short grey jacket, a red and pink T-shirt, and striped scarf.

Visteon Workers 'Quit'

Former workers at the now shut-down Visteon car components factory in Belfast are due to end a seven week sit-in today after winning an improved pay-off deal. The now jobless workers plan to march out of the factory gates on Finaghy Road North at lunchtime and head to a local hotel to host a reception to say a big 'thank you' to all who supported them through their campaign. They have agreed to leave the west Belfast premises once a compensation package is in place for payment, and they plan to campaign on for a deal over their pension rights. Workers have been occupying the factory at Finaghy Road North since 610 jobs were lost at Visteon's three plants in Belfast, Basildon and Enfield. See: Visteon Settlement Rejected

Architect McAslan's UU Professor Post

Internationally renowned architect, John McAslan, has been appointed Associate Professor at the University of Ulster's School of Architecture. Established in 1996, John McAslan and Partners has won over 50 international design awards and opened offices in across the UK and in Moscow. Among his best-known architectural projects are the transformation of the Roundhouse, London, the De La Warr Pavilion, Bexhill, Max Mara headquarters, Italy and Yapi Kredi bank, Turkey.

(BMcC/JM)