Northern Ireland News for March 2009

Northern Ireland News, Mar 31, 2009
Police Attracts Record Numbers Of Catholic Recruits
Catholic composition within Northern Ireland's police force now stands at just over 26%, the highest level since the introduction of temporary 50:50 recruitment provisions in 2001. The NIO Policing M...
UK National News, Mar 31, 2009
Britain Hands Basra Over To US Troops
British troops have begun their official withdraw from Iraq today as Basra was formally handed to the US army. In a handover ceremony, attended by the head of Britain's armed forces, Air Chief Marsha...
UK National News, Mar 31, 2009
MPs' Expenses Investigation To Be Brought Forward
An investigation into MPs expenses is to be speeded up, it has been announced. Chairman of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, Sir Christopher Kelly, said the review would begin "by the end of...
Northern Ireland News, Mar 31, 2009
'Disappointment' At West Belfast Job Losses
News that almost 600 jobs have been axed at car parts manufacturer Visteon after one of its subsidiaries in the UK was put into administration has gone down badly in Belfast. The American-owned compa...
UK National News, Mar 31, 2009
Man Jailed For Toddler's Death
A 23-year-old man has today been jailed for the death of his girlfriend's toddler. Robert Cunningham, from Dundee, was found guilty of the culpable homicide of 23-month-old Brandon Muir, who died on ...
UK National News, Mar 31, 2009
'Everyday Values' Needed In Economy, Says PM
Free markets should share similar, 'cherished' values, rather than pure self interest, the Prime Minister will tell G20 leaders later this week. Extracts of Gordon Brown's key economic speech have be...
UK National News, Mar 31, 2009
Police Television Appeal For Missing Chef
Detectives investigating the disappearance of a university chef have received some "very interesting calls" it has emerged. Det Supt Ray Galloway, of North Yorkshire Police appeared on BBC1's Crimewa...
Business News, Mar 31, 2009
Border Business To Boost Tourism
The new man in charge of selling Northern Ireland's tourist industry thinks the province could be in for a major domestic boost. Chair of the NI Tourist Board, Howard Hastings - who is Managing Dire...
Business News, Mar 31, 2009
Armagh 'Woolies' Site Lease Agreed
Best Property services have confirmed that the site of the former Woolworths, Armagh has been agreed for lease this month to discount retail giant Around a Pound. Woolworth in Armagh was one of 19 s...
UK National News, Mar 31, 2009
600 Jobs At Risk As Car Parts Maker Goes Bust
Almost 600 jobs have been axed at car parts manufacturer Visteon after one of its subsidiaries in the UK was put into administration. The American-owned company employed roughly 600 people in its thr...
Northern Ireland News, Mar 31, 2009
Implement Eames-Bradley, Appeal Report Authors
Following widespread condemnation of proposals by a Government-established 'Consultative Group on the Past', one of the authors has warned of serious financial and logistical problems if their controv...
UK National News, Mar 31, 2009
CS Gas Used During House Of Commons 'Row'
Police were forced to use CS spray after two men were involved in a row at a House of Commons reception. The two guests of Eric Pickles, the Conservative Party Chairman, was last night sprayed with t...
Northern Ireland News, Mar 31, 2009
Executive Leaders Meet EC President
Stormont top executives, Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness have been having talks today on how the NI Assembly can maximise the funding it gets from Europe. They travelled to Brussels to meet Euro...
Northern Ireland News, Mar 31, 2009
Hoax Security Alerts Close School
Hundreds of Belfast school children have been sent home following a hoax security alert. St Aidan's Primary School on the Springfield Road was closed after the discovery of a suspicious object on the...
Northern Ireland News, Mar 31, 2009
Death Driver Jailed
A previously banned car driver has been jailed for causing death by dangerous driving. Thomas O'Brien, 30, of Muckross Road, Kesh, was drinking in a Co Fermanagh pub on Christmas Eve 2005. His Honou...
Recruitment News, Mar 31, 2009
Armagh Former-Woolies Site Lease Agreed
Best Property services have confirmed that the site of the former Woolworths, Armagh has been agreed for lease this month to discount retail giant Around a Pound. Woolworth in Armagh was one of 19 s...
Recruitment News, Mar 31, 2009
Taxi Disruption Ends
Although expected disruption for air travellers has been avoided, hundreds of taxi drivers took part in a 24-hour protest yesterday. A group called Taxi Drivers for Change organised the day of action...
UK National News, Mar 31, 2009
Single Government 'Solution For Business' To Help Companies Succeed
The Government has today delivered on its promise to provide a simplified framework for publicly funded support for businesses. The Department for Business has announced that the design and rollout o...
UK National News, Mar 31, 2009
Local Ports Meet With Government To Discuss Wind Farm Future
More than 100 port operators, developers, investors and wind manufactures from across the UK met yesterday with the Government to cut through a potential bottleneck in offshore wind farm development. ...
Northern Ireland News, Mar 31, 2009
Retirement Made Easier, Says Ritchie
Retiring on the state pension is to get easier for people in Northern Ireland. From April next year, the system will be both fairer and simpler, especially for women and carers. Tomorrow marks the s...
Northern Ireland News, Mar 31, 2009
Romanian Building Project Seeks Volunteers
A local charity is seeking volunteers for an imaginative Romanian building project. Habitat for Humanity Northern Ireland has just launched the initiative, Big Build 09 and need to find 250 volunteers...
UK National News, Mar 31, 2009
Other News In Brief
Man Dies After Stabbing A murder investigation is underway after a man was found stabbed in a street in Derby. The 44-year-old victim was discovered in Crewe Street, Normanton, at about 8.30pm on Mon...
Northern Ireland News, Mar 31, 2009
Other NI News In Brief
Border Business To Boost Tourism The new man in charge of selling Northern Ireland's tourist industry thinks the province could be in for a major domestic boost. Chair of the NI Tourist Board, Howard...
Northern Ireland News, Mar 30, 2009
Fermanagh Remains On Alert As Belfast Hoax Ends
While the Irish police have revealed a successful planned search operation against suspected dissident republicans, with explosive devices recovered in Dublin, a security alert has this morning led to...
Northern Ireland News, Mar 30, 2009
Patient Data Confidentiality Assured, Says GPs
Northern Ireland's GPs have been raising concerns about patient confidentiality. The issue was discussed at the weekend during a medical committees' conference attended by family doctors from across...
Northern Ireland News, Mar 30, 2009
Three Killed On NI Roads
Three people have died on Northern Ireland's roads this past weekend. A man was fatally injured after being hit by a car in Aughnacloy, Co Tyrone. He was Zbigniew Bartnicki, a 52-year-old Polish nat...
UK National News, Mar 30, 2009
Nationwide Takes Over Dunfermline Building Society
The Nationwide has announced it is to buy part of the collapsed Dunfermline Building Society's branches after the Government failed to intervene. The Bank of England confirmed the Nationwide Building...
Recruitment News, Mar 30, 2009
Twin Jobs' Fears Revealed
There's doubly bad news on employment today as about 90 jobs are expected to be cut at a major manufacturing facility in Co Antrim, while more cuts are expected at Translink in Derry. The losses are ...
UK National News, Mar 30, 2009
Smith Apologises Over Adult Film Expenses
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has been forced to apologise for trying to claim back the cost of the family's television package, which included two pornographic movies. The latest embarrassment comes j...
Recruitment News, Mar 30, 2009
Film Skills New Entrants Scheme Launched By Four Corners
There's news this week of an innovative eight-month scheme which aims to offer six people from diverse backgrounds the opportunity to train for a freelance career in film at assistant level. The ed...