26 August 2009

Other NI News In Brief

Pumps Plugged

Over one thousand seven hundred gallons of illegal 'laundered' fuel being sold at knock-down prices have been seized at two make-shift filling stations in west Belfast. The 8,000 litres were confiscated by officers with Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC), who also removed forecourt pumps and equipment on Tuesday.

Warning Over Syringe Find

An Armagh councillor has warned parents to be vigilant over what their children pick up after children played with syringes they found in a wooded area at Loughall Road in the city. Mealla Bratton, from the SDLP said: "Thankfully, this is an isolated incident and police believe the needles may have been stolen from elsewhere. It does, however, show the importance of vigilance regarding the whereabouts and activities of children during the school holidays. Those responsible for leaving the needles probably do not realise how close an innocent child came to suffering a serious injury playing in a local area. I hope this brings home to them the error of their ways," she said this morning.

Accolade For Sir Hugh

The Chairman of the Northern Ireland Policing Board has paid tribute to Sir Hugh Orde as he completes his service as Chief Constable. Barry Gilligan said: "Sir Hugh has made a significant contribution to policing in Northern Ireland. There is no doubt that he leaves a very different organisation to that which he took charge of almost seven years ago. On behalf of the Board I would wish to place on public record our thanks for his contributions to policing here," he said, wishing Sir Hugh well in his future role as President of the Association of Chief Police Officers.

'Belt Up' On School Run

Parents have been urged to ensure that children are safely secured while travelling in the car. NI Environment Minister Edwin Poots warned: "There is nothing more fragile than a child unprotected in a vehicle. If you have a collision, drivers and passengers are much more likely to be killed or seriously injured if they are not wearing seat belts, and children are much more vulnerable than adults," he said, noting that a recent study showed around 5% of children aged 1-13 years old are still travelling unrestrained in cars.

Contentious Limavady Housing Approved

Planning permission has been granted for around 160 new homes in Limavady, close to Enagh cemetery. The development, proposed by McCloskey and O'Kane Building Company Ltd, had faced over 150 planning objections and earlier plans to develop land next to Whitehill Park were refused following strong opposition from locals. According to McCloskey and O'Kane Director Nick Brown said he recognised the sensitivity associated with the site, and that locals did not want the development in "their own back yard". However, he estimated the building and related business could bring around £12m into the area.

Kids' Hospice Boosted

Almost a quarter of a million pounds is to support the care of terminally ill children. The NI Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey has announced the additional £245,000 per year to support the work of the Children's Hospice in Newtownabbey. The funding will help Northern Ireland Hospice to continue providing respite and support services to life-limited children and their families across Northern Ireland. The Minister also launched a new 'integrated care pathway' and nursing assessment tool which will make a real difference to the management and care of children and young people with complex physical healthcare needs.

Lisburn Masterplan On Display

A public consultation has officially opened on a new masterplan for Lisburn city centre. Stormont Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie said the plans made the "best use" of the city's assest whilst protecting its ongoing success and prosperity. The masterplan was compiled by a team led by GVA Grimley Ltd, and centres on Lisburn's historic quarter and the Laganbank quarter. Proposals have been put forward to encourage new developments that complement the city surroundings and she called on the public provide its input to ensure the final document takes into account the views of those who will be most directly affected. Draft Masterplan proposals will be displayed in Lisburn City Library and can be viewed for a period of six weeks, from Friday 28 August to Friday 9 October.

'Step-Up' Graduates Celebrated

Another 108 pupils from secondary schools in Belfast can now call themselves graduates of the University of Ulster's innovative Step-Up programme. This is an internationally acclaimed science-based programme of academic and vocational activities that are delivered by schools, the University of Ulster, industry and government and aims to improve pupil's academic performance, aspirations and expectations. To date over 500 students from secondary schools in the North West and Belfast areas have successfully completed the programme and progressed to higher education institutions across the UK. NI Employment and Learning Minister, Sir Reg Empey, praised the university for the success of the programme and paid tribute to the parents of the students, educationalists and industry for their support of the initiative.

(BMcC/GK)