Other NI News In Brief

Man Shot In Legs

The police have said that a 37-year-old man has been shot in the legs in north Belfast. The PSNI are investigating after it happened at Glenview Court off the Oldpark Road shortly before 1.30am on Tuesday. Two masked men forced their way into a ground floor flat and shot the man. They then made off towards Ardilea Street. The victim was taken to hospital, but his injuries are not life-threatening. The SDLP North Belfast MLA Alban Maginness (pictured) has said there is a worrying pattern over paramilitary attacks in the area. "I am on record as saying those responsible are merely copying the failed tactics of the Provisional IRA and I stand by that. A worrying pattern of attacks is now emerging. We must not allow the situation to escalate into the norm as occurred in the past. This cannot be deemed just another shooting. As a community we cannot allow ourselves to be desensitised to paramilitary attack," he said.

Manx Flies Into City

The airline Manx2.com is to move from Belfast International Airport to its new base at George Best Belfast City Airport at the end of October. The Isle of Man-founded airline will also introduce a new twice daily service between Belfast and Cork. It says the move will "more than double" the size of its presence in Northern Ireland. It is good news for the east Belfast facility as, last month, Ryanair announced it was pulling out of Belfast City Airport.

Ballysillian Stars

A Belfast leisure centre has become the first in Northern Ireland to be awarded the FIFA two star quality award for its new 3G sports pitch. The accreditation will now allow the Ballysillian facility to cater for competitive Irish league matches. The FIFA recommended two star for artificial turf, designed specifically to mirror the playing characteristics of professional football. Chairman of the Parks and Leisure Committee, Councillor Peter O'Reilly, said: "This award is a great achievement for Ballysillan Leisure Centre and its staff and it shows the commitment the department has in providing world class facilities for the residents of Belfast." Ballysillan 3G pitch boasts the quality standards combining the benefits of natural turf with optimum playing comfort and maximum safety for players. In addition, maintenance costs are low and artificial turf has greater longevity giving a better return on investment.

'Green Home' Firm Folds

An energy efficient building firm has gone into administration. Sky Developments (NI), based in Holywood, Co Down, was behind one of the first sustainable developments in the province. Financial consultants BDO were appointed as administrators. Notable 'green' schemes include the The Green House, Holywood, and Skyline Buildings, Newtownards. Sky Developments were commended for Environmental Achievement at the 2009 Belfast Telegraph Business Awards.

Support Group Celebrates

The Afro-Community Support Organisation of Northern Ireland (ACSONI) has celebrated the launch of its European Commission funded project, 'Images and Messages of Africa from an African Perspective'. This programme is a joint initiative between the Africa Centre, Slovenia and the Africa Centre in Dublin. It is aimed at building the capacity of Africans and raising awareness of issues fuelling the migration of Africans to Europe and recognises that Northern Ireland also faces the challenges of an emerging intercultural society, there are pockets of the population which struggle with accepting people from different cultural and ethnic backgrounds. The Afro-Community is one of the largest Minority Ethnic Communities in NI (1,126 people, 2001 Census, that today is estimated in excess of 6,000) while information on the life and experiences of African, Caribbean and other Afro-descendants in Northern Ireland is virtually non-existent.

(BMcC/KMcA)