20 January 2009

Other NI News In Brief

Aldergrove Alert Over

Emergency services were called to Belfast International Airport following reports that an aircraft was in difficulties on Monday night. The airport's emergency services were joined by the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Services after the emergency was declared at about 9pm. However, the craft, a cargo plane, made a safe landing at the airport 15 minutes later.

Car Park Man Robbed

A car park attendant has been robbed in south Belfast. The incident occurred in Hardcastle Street car park shortly after midnight on Sunday night/Monday morning. The attendant was attacked from behind by a man who took the employee's mobile phone and demanded money from a safe. A police spokesperson said the man made off with a "substantial" sum of cash.

Greenisland Park And Ride Expanded

An extension of the park and ride facility at Greenisland Railway Station has been welcomed by local representatives. Transport provider Translink expanded the car-park capacity from 10 to 71, including two accessible spaces. Larne Line Route Manager, Frank Moore, said: "This excellent new facility will improve passengers' journey experiences and cater for the increasing demand on Park and Ride sites.

Casting The Net For Anglers

The NI Minister for Sport and Leisure, Gregory Campbell, is encouraging people to take up angling for relaxation and enjoyment. The Minister joined young fishermen at Movanagher fish farm in a bid to encourage more youths to take up the sport and to announce the 2009 permit and licence charges and commented: "Angling is usually considered to be a sport dominated by male adults but I would like to see more young people, senior citizens, women and disabled people getting involved. I have agreed that once again there should be no increase in the cost of concessionary permits in 2009 which stand at £15. And for £2 the young people can have a full season's enjoyment."

Foul Water Slammed

Still on fishing matters and Northern Ireland Water has come under fire over the raw sewage being pumped into the sea at a Co Antrim beauty spot. NI Environment Minister Sammy Wilson has revealed that untreated sewage effluent being released into the sea at Whitehead - whose Blackhead Path is a popular spot for fishermen - is in breach of the consent set by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) which requires that it be finely screened. Untreated sewage is also being released from the Wastewater Treatment Works (WWTW) at nearby Ballystrudder into Larne Lough. NI Water is now proposing to pipe the sewage from Whitehead, Ballystrudder and Ballycarry to the sea at Cloughfin Bay on the coast of Islandmagee. But the plan has been vetoed by NIEA, which says it is not acceptable and would affect a large section of coastline.

Jobs Boost For IT

A high tech Co Antrim company has announced that it is to create 10 specialist computer engineering jobs over the next 12 months. Software company, Arcatech, which is based in Lisburn is planning to increase its overall workforce to a total of 17. It has signed a new deal with the French telecommunications specialist, Wavetel. Arcatech designs and develops its own range of telecoms software for the communications industry.

(BMcC/JM)