Northern Ireland News for December 2004

UK National News, Dec 17, 2004
Fines increased for drink-related offences
On the spot fines for drunken seasonal revellers have been increased to £80 as the Government launches a crack down on binge drinking in 180 urban locations. The increase in fines is part of a drive ...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 17, 2004
Colombian three flee country following sentencing
The "Colombia three" who were yesterday convicted when an appeal court overturned their acquittal on charges of training Marxists rebels have fled the country. Niall Connolly, Martin McCauley and Jam...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 17, 2004
Five men arrested following cigarette seizure
Five men have been arrested after more than 500,000 stolen or counterfeit cigarettes were seized by police in the Markets area of Belfast. The cigarettes were found when officers searched a number o...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 17, 2004
Efforts redoubled to restore Assembly says Murphy
The Government has vowed to redouble efforts to bring about the restoration of the devolved institutions, Northern Ireland Secretary of State Paul Murphy has said. Speaking after a series of meetings...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 17, 2004
Bar poster reminder on drink and drugs driving
The campaign against drink and drugs-driving is being taken direct into more than 170 of Northern Ireland's leading bars and clubs. The Police Service and the Department of the Environment have linke...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 17, 2004
Human Rights Watchdog calls for more migrant workers protection
The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission has called on the UK Government to provide more protection for migrant workers. Saturday marks the International Day of Solidarity with Migrants, and the ...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 17, 2004
Man due in court following shooting
A man is due in court charge with attempted murder after a number of shots were fired at a house in Co Armagh yesterday morning. A family of three escaped injury after shots were fired at the propert...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 17, 2004
Getting a job more difficult with no qualifications
Getting a job in Northern Ireland is getting harder for those with no qualifications, acting Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ulster has said. Speaking to graduates at Limavady College of Further...
UK National News, Dec 17, 2004
Benefits fraud cut by over one billion pounds
Benefits fraud has been slashed by half, saving over £1 billion according to Government statistics published today. The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) reported exceeding a target to cut fraud ...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 17, 2004
NI to face Portugal as part of IFA celebrations
Northern Ireland have lined up a glamour friendly against European Championship runners-up Portugal to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the Irish Football Association (IFA). The fixture has been sc...
UK National News, Dec 17, 2004
Retail sales recover from late summer blues
The latest results for the Retail Sales Index indicate that underlying retail sales growth has partially recovered from a marked slowdown in late summer. The seasonal impact in November from Christma...
UK National News, Dec 17, 2004
Consumer credit shake-up targets rogue lending
Tough new sanctions on rogue lenders could be introduced under a new Bill introduced in the House of Commons by Trade and Industry Secretary Patricia Hewitt. Measures in the Consumer Credit Bill woul...
UK National News, Dec 17, 2004
UK Internet connectivity figures continue to rise
The latest monthly update to the survey of Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in the UK shows that between October 2003 and October 2004 there was a 4.3% increase in the number of active subscriptions ...
UK National News, Dec 17, 2004
Ford investment in east London plant welcomed
A £4.5m grant to create up to 460 jobs at a manufacturing facility in Dagenham, Essex, has been announced by Trade and Industry Secretary Patricia Hewitt. The Department of Trade and Industry grant, ...
UK National News, Dec 17, 2004
Highways Agency and Met Office 'ready for winter'
Gritters and snowploughs are on standby, tested plans are in place to tackle ice and snow, and a new partnership with the Met Office will aim to provide motorists with better information as the Highwa...
UK National News, Dec 17, 2004
Band Aid 20 on course to be Christmas Number One
With well over 600,000 sales since its release, the charity single 'Do They Know It's Christmas' by Band Aid 20 looks set to be 2004's Official UK Charts Christmas Number One. The closest rivals are ...
UK National News, Dec 16, 2004
Foreign detainees win human rights appeal in Lords
The UK's highest court, the Law Lords, have ruled that detaining foreign nationals without trial is in contravention of European human rights laws. In an eight to one majority ruling, the Law Lords d...
UK National News, Dec 16, 2004
No reprieve for Scottish regiments in Army shake-up
The fears of many in Scotland were realised today as Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon confirmed that the Black Watch, despite its recent costly deployment near the Iraqi capital Baghdad, is to be merged w...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 16, 2004
Pearson welcomes latest Assets Recovery success
Security Minister and Chair of the Organised Crime Task Force (OCTF) Ian Pearson has praised the latest success of Assets Recovery Agency (ARA) after the assets of alleged alcohol smugglers were seize...
UK National News, Dec 16, 2004
Clarke in as Home Secretary on Blunkett resignation
Following the yesterday's resignation of David Blunkett, Charles Clark has been elevated to the Home Office in a quick Cabinet reshuffle. Mr Blunkett stepped down as Home Secretary yesterday when it ...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 16, 2004
NI-born MP appointed Education Secretary
Prime Minister Tony Blair has appointed Northern Ireland born Ruth Kelly as Education Secretary following the resignation of David Blunkett. The 36-year-old MP for Bolton West replaces Charles Clarke...
UK National News, Dec 16, 2004
WHO launches pandemic emergency response centre
After months of testing, the United National public health agency today opened an emergency response centre to head off illnesses that are on the verge of becoming pandemic, such as bird flu and SARS....
Northern Ireland News, Dec 16, 2004
Gunshots fired at Craigavon home
Two people have been arrested following a gun attack on a house in Co Armagh last night. The incident occurred at a property in West Acres estate, Craigavon, shortly before 3am on Thursday. However a...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 16, 2004
DUP and UUP at loggerheads over Turkey EU bid
The DUP and UUP were at loggerheads today over Turkey's possible accession to the EU. Speaking during a debate in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, DUP MEP Jim Allister described the possible ap...
UK National News, Dec 16, 2004
Royal Navy 'reappoint' Captain of HMS Somerset
The Royal Navy has confirmed that Commander David Axon has been permanently removed from command of HMS Somerset. The decision to remove of Cdr Axon follows an equal opportunities investigation into ...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 16, 2004
NI economy continues to grow shows – business survey
Figures released today show a continuing growth in the Northern Ireland economy, with income from businesses having increased by 4.5% or some £568 million in 2003, compared to 2002. The figures are c...
UK National News, Dec 16, 2004
£1.7bn recouped as UK 'VAT gap' decreases by 3%
The annual report from HM Customs and Excise has revealed that VAT losses have fallen from 15.8% to 12.9% in 2003/04. This has closed the "VAT gap", the theoretical difference between the possible yi...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 16, 2004
Queen's students told of ‘responsibility to shape society’
Queen's students have a particular responsibility to shape and inform the society in which they live, the University's Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Students and Learning, Professor Ken Bell, has said. Pro...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 16, 2004
NI leading the way on broadband - Minister
Enterprise Minister Barry Gardiner has confirmed that the number of broadband users in Northern Ireland has increased by over 200% in the last 12 months, with usage levels here exceeding the 125,000 m...
UK National News, Dec 16, 2004
'Think!' safety messages shown on motorways
Two key messages will be highlighted on motorway message signs on England's motorways over the course of the festive period. The Department for Transport's campaign messages "THINK! Don't Drink and D...