Other NI News In Brief

Royal Irish CD Drums Up Support

Copies of a musical CD backing the Royal Irish Regiment are being sold as an effort to raise money for serving and former members of the Royal Irish Regiment kicks off. Even before it was officially launched yesterday at Stormont, there has been significant demand, with many already have sold. 'Soldiers Return: A Tribute To Heroes' was launched at Stormont's Long Gallery yesterday but 400 copies of the CD featuring marching bands playing military marches have already been ordered. Recorded by Ulster bands in response to the vast Belfast homecoming parade last month, the CD features military marches and proceeds from its sale will go to the Royal Irish Regiment Benevolent Fund.

North West Media Jobs To Go

Most of the expected job losses announced by GB-based media group, Johnston Press yesterday will be lost in the Derry area. The Scottish company publishes 22 newspaper titles including the Donegal Democrat and the Derry Journal. A spokesman for the Northern Ireland National Union of Journalists said it needs to be clarified exactly how many jobs will be lost with fears that it could actually be in excess of 30.

Southern Winner at Royal Ulster Winter Fair

An exhibitor form the Irish Republic has been awarded the coveted prize of Overall Supreme Champion at the 23rd Annual Winter Fair at Balmoral. The winning animal, Lumville Danoise, a 5-year-old Holstein is owned by Richard Whelan of Co Meath. Mr. Whelan said: "In 2006 she won the junior championship here at Winter Fair, and it’s so nice to come back to take the overall championship." Northern Bank have been the sponsor of the Royal Ulster Winter Fair since 1986 when the first Winter Fair took place. Speaking about this John Henning, Head of Agriculture at Northern Bank said: "We are delighted with the increased entries of cattle from across Ireland. All visitors would be impressed by the quality of stock and the spectacle of judging in the hands of Jeff Stevens. We congratulate all the exhibitors and especially all winners and we wish them well in the future.

Shops Warned On Underage Cig Sales

Shopkeepers in a Co Antrim borough are being targeted in a crackdown on sales of tobacco to underage customers. Newtownabbey Council is preparing to come down hard on retailers who sell tobacco products to persons aged under 18, after a 13-year-old proved she could purchase cigarettes from two local shops. At a meeting of the Environment Committee this week, councillors were informed that a test exercise was carried out in August by staff from the Council's Environment Services Department, in which a 13-year-old girl was sent into 15 local retail premises to purchase cigarettes. A number of these premises were selected on the basis of their being close to schools and residential areas. Two of the 15 premises visited sold a pack of cigarettes to the girl.

Irish Film Fillip

The Republic of Ireland is set to become a more competitive international location for film and TV production. New changes will raise the profile of Ireland as an international film and television location and entice Hollywood productions to locate in Ireland. Bord Scannán na hÉireann/the Irish Film Board (IFB) has welcomed improvements to Section 481 the Irish tax incentive for film and television, announced this month by the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism Martin Cullen. The Section 481 incentive - which now extends to 2012 - has been amended in order to restore the competitiveness of Ireland as an international film and television location.

(BMcC)