On this day in Northern Ireland news history

PSNI Issue Advice To Those Attending Final Belsonic Shows
As this year's Belsonic festival draws to a close with two final shows at Ormeau Park – Florence and the Machine and The Prodigy – the PSNI has reminded those attending to plan their journey in advance.

Car Owners Urged To Ensure Their Vehicles Are Secure
Police in Derry City & Strabane have appealed for people to ensure their vehicles are secure at all times. The appeal comes after reports this week of vehicles being entered in the Waterside, sometime between Monday night, 26th June, and the early hours of Tuesday, 27th June.

Midland Hub Becomes More Inclusive After £700,000 Revamp
Former world boxing champion Carl Frampton MBE and other special guests visited Midland Social and Recreation Association for the official opening of the redeveloped community hub following a £700,000 upgrade.

Man Arrested Following Attempted Child Abduction
A 33-year-old man has been arrested in connection with an attempted child abduction in the Brookehill area of Lurgan on Wednesday, 28 June. According to the PSNI, local response officers "acted swiftly" after receiving a report from a concerned member of the public.

Summer Travellers Urged To 'Plan Ahead For A Smooth Journey'
People preparing for travel over the summer months have been urged to 'plan ahead for a smooth journey'. Summer is a busy time for travel and the Consumer Council has compiled a summer travel checklist, to take the stress out of your holiday.

PHA Launch Funding Scheme For Mental Health Projects
The Public Health Agency (PHA) has called on community and voluntary groups to apply to a new funding programme for projects designed to improve mental health and emotional wellbeing. The PHA scheme opens to applications today and aims to address health and wellbeing needs in local communities.

Appeal For Information On Lurgan Petrol Bomb Attacks
The PSNI have issued an appeal for information after petrol bombs was thrown at two house in Lurgan on Wednesday, 28 June. Shortly before 1.20am, police received a report that two petrol bombs were thrown at two houses in the Tannaghmore View area.

Six Arrests Made In Connection With North Belfast Attack
Six people have been arrested by detectives investigating a stabbing in the Antrim Close area of north Belfast on the night of Monday 26th June.

'Bystander Approach' Event Addresses Violence Against Women And Girls
Everyone has a role to play in tackling violence against women and girls – this was the message of the largest ever Bystander Approach conference held in Northern Ireland at Parliament Buildings on Tuesday 28 June.

'Transform for Change' Project Hosts Finale Event
A special event has been held in Belfast to mark the finale of the EU-funded PEACE IV 'Transform for Change' project.

Weather Warning Issued For Heavy Rain
The Met Office has issued a Yellow weather warning for heavy rain expected across the east of Northern Ireland on Thursday morning. The forecaster said that heavy rain is expected from around 5am on Thursday, affecting Counties Antrim, Armagh and Down.

Mental Health Service Waiting Times 'Deeply Concerning'
Sinn Féin have said that the number of children and young people waiting on referrals for mental health services is "deeply concerning".

MOT Waiting Times A 'Complete Shambles'
The current MOT waiting times in Northern Ireland has been described as a "complete shambles", Alliance Infrastructure spokesperson Andrew Muir MLA has said.

NI Ambulance Staff To Trial Body-Worn Cameras
A number of Northern Ireland Ambulance Service staff are to be issued body-worn cameras in a new trial following an increase in attacks on workers.

Pupils Benefitting From Lidl's 'Sport For Good' Initiative
Lidl Northern Ireland's 'Sport for Good' initiative is benefitting hundreds of secondary school pupils across County Antrim with a dedicated Mental Health Athlete Mentorship programme delivered by Youth Sport Trust, the UK's leading sports charity.

New Regulations For NI Pharmacy Technicians
New statutory regulations are to be developed for Pharmacy Technicians by the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland, following approval by Health Minister Robin Swann. The new regulations are to be developed following a public consultation launched in March 2022.

Waterways Ireland To Develop New Sustainable Waterway Network
Infrastructure Minister John O'Dowd has welcomed Waterways Ireland's ambitious plans to develop a sustainable waterway network which will contribute significantly to the recreation, social, economic and environmental life across the island.

Man Jailed For 24 Years For Preparation Of Terrorist Acts
A 32-year-old man has been jailed for 24 years at Belfast Crown Court, after pleading guilty to one count of preparation of terrorist acts. Niall Lehd, from Larne, will serve 24 years in prison and 5 years on licence.

Rehabilitation Training To Be Offered For All Drink Driving Convictions
Drink driving legislation has been changed to offer all those convicted of drink drive offences the opportunity to undertake rehabilitation training.

'The Time Is Now' For Covid-19 Vaccination
Health Minister Robin Swann has published an open letter, making a personal plea to people who have not yet taken up the Covid-19 vaccination, urging people not to: "Please don't put off your turn. The right time is now.

Decision To Give Troubles' Victims Payment Scheme To Capita Condemned
A decision by the Justice Minister, Naomi Long, to award the contract for the Troubles' Victims Payment Scheme to Capita has been described as "inconceivable", by SDLP social justice spokesperson Mark H Durkan.

Commercial Tenants Emergency Protection Scheme Extended
Emergency protection for tenants having difficulty paying rent on commercial leases as a result of the pandemic has been extended for a further three months, Finance Minister Conor Murphy has announced.

School Meals And Uniforms Support Scheme Open For Applications
Online applications for extra support with school meals and uniforms are now open, Education Minister Michelle McIlveen has announced.

Fresh Appeal Launched For Information On Lisa Dorrain Murder
The PSNI have launched a fresh appeal for information on the murder of Bangor woman Lisa Dorrain, with police saying they believe she knew her killer.

People Of Belfast Urged To 'Show Their Love For The NHS'
The Lord Mayor, Deirdre Hargey, has stood with workers from across the Health Service and called for the people of Belfast "to show their love and support for their NHS". A trade union march and rally celebrating the 70th birthday of the National Health Service will be held at 2.

British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference To Meet In July
The British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference will meet in July with the aim of bringing together the British and Irish governments to promote bilateral co-operation at all levels on all matters of mutual interest. The Conference last met in February 2007.

Allstate Open New Belfast Headquarters
Belfast Lord Mayor, Councillor Deirdre Hargey, has attended the officially opening of Allstate Northern Ireland's new Belfast headquarters.

DUP Leader Arlene Foster Attends LGBT Event At Stormont
DUP Leader Arlene Foster has attended a LGBT event at Stormont. Ms Foster, who is the first DUP leader to attend an LGBT event, gave a speech at PinkNews' summer reception on Thursday, 28 June.

Security Alert Ongoing In L'Derry
The Lecky Road in Derry/L'Derry is currently closed due to an ongoing security alert. The nature of the security alert has not been made clear but the road is closed between Free Derry Corner and Brandywell Road. The Lecky Flyover is also closed from the junction of Charlotte Street.

NI Water Announces Hose Pipe Ban
A hose pipe ban is to come into force this weekend, NI Water has announced. NI Water has said that the continued use of water for non-essential purposes is "likely to result in supply interruption in many areas".

21-Year-Old Arrested In Connection With North Belfast Murder
Detectives from PSNIs Serious Crime Branch have launched a murder investigation following the death of a man in North Belfast Police received a report from the Ambulance Service just after 9pm last night, Thursday 28 June, that they were attending to a seriously injured male who they had located i

Parties Fail To Meet Deadline To Restore Power Sharing In NI
Political parties in Northern Ireland have failed to meet the deadline to restore power sharing. A scheduled Assembly meeting to nominate Ministers was also axed. It is the fourth time the deadline has been missed.

Govt To Fund Abortions For NI Women
The Government has agreed to fund abortions in England for women travelling from Northern Ireland, the Chancellor announced. Abortions can only be carried out in NI where the life or mental health is the mother is in danger.

Investigation Launched Following Race Hate Crime In East Belfast
Police have launched an investigation after a takeaway was targeted in a race hate crime in east Belfast. The incident happened at premises on the Beersbridge Road between midnight and 7.30am on Thursday, 29 June. Police are treating the attack as a racially-motivated hate crime.

Appeal Issued For Missing Man Patrick Pearce Deery
Police are appealing for information to help trace missing man Patrick Pearce Deery. The 42-year-old was last seen on Saturday, 03 June. He is described as being 5 ft 8 in tall and of medium build. It is believed he may have travelled to the Sligo area.

Police Officers Injured After Stolen Car Collides With PSNI Vehicle
Two police officers have been injured after a stolen car collided with their vehicle in west Belfast. The incident happened in the Springfield Avenue area in the early hours of Thursday morning, 29 June.

Upstream Working Capital Funds Deals Worth £3.5m
An independent working capital provider in Northern Ireland has announced it has funded deals worth around £3.5million in the past month. Upstream Working Capital confirmed the deals cover a wide spectrum of industries including technology, health, and electrical wholesale.

RNLI Rescue Two Women And Two Children In Co Down
The RNLI have rescued two women and two children after they became stranded on an island in Strangford Lough between Newtownards and Comber in Co Down.

Two Released Over Attempted Murder Of Police Officer
Police have released two men unconditionally over the attempted murder of a police officer. The community officer sustained two bullet wounds to his arm in an attack which happened outside a petrol station on the Crumlin Road on Sunday, 22 January.

Deadline Day To Restore Power Sharing In NI
Political parties have until 4pm today, 29 June, to restore power sharing in Northern Ireland. Discussions have been ongoing to resolve outstanding issues to form an Executive. However, Sinn Fein said the DUP have not moved to "address the issues of rights, equality and respect".

Pair Jailed After Admitting Human Trafficking And Prostitution Offences
A man and woman from Romania have been sentenced to two years in prison after admitting human trafficking and prostitution offences. Ionut Ille, aged 34, and Ancuta Schwarz, aged 30, were detained three years ago as part of a joint investigation with Swedish police.

New President Of IFA Elected
The Irish Football Association (IFA) has elected a new President. Mr David Martin, who has been Deputy President, Vice President and Treasurer of the Association, was voted in at a council meeting which was held at the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park.

Teenager Attacked In Co Antrim
A teenager is being treated in hospital after being attacked in Co Antrim. The incident happened at a property in the Exchange Road area in Larne at around 12.20am on Wednesday, 29 June. A number of men forced their way into a house and assaulted the 19-year-old victim.

Ulster Bank Hosts 'QuickPitch' Event For Young Entrepreneurs
Ulster Bank has hosted a 'QuickPitch' event for young entrepreneurs taking part in business start-up, QuickStart Programme.

Scheme To Replace Older Teachers With Newly Qualified Staff To Begin
A controversial scheme which allows teachers aged over 55 to retire early and be replaced by newly qualified teachers is to begin, Education Minister Peter Weir has confirmed.

Car On Its Roof Following Collision In South Belfast
A car ended up on its roof following a two-vehicle collision in south Belfast. The incident occurred on the Lisburn Road on Tuesday evening, 28 June. No-one is believed to have been injured in the crash, according to the PSNI. The road was closed however it has since re-opened.

Teen Sustains Serious Head Injuries In Belfast Assault
A teenager has sustained serious head injuries following an assault outside a nightclub in Belfast. The attack happened in the Gordon Street area at around 2am on Thursday, 23 June. The 18-year-old victim was found lying unconscious on the ground by police.

Residents Urged To Give Their Views On How Belfast Should Develop
Belfast City Council (BCC) is calling on residents living and working in Belfast to give their views on how it will develop and grow in the future. BCC is publishing a Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) for its Local Development Plan (LDP).

Police Attacked After Petrol Bomb Thrown At Orange Hall
The police have been attacked after a petrol bomb and paint were thrown at an Orange Hall in north Belfast. The incident happened at the Clifton Street Orange Hall at around 10pm on Sunday. It is being treated as a sectarian hate crime, according to the police.

3fivetwo Group To Acquire St Joseph's Hospital In Sligo
A private healthcare firm based in Northern Ireland has announced it has agreed to buy St Joseph's Hospital in Sligo. 3fivetwo Group said the sale expected to close in coming weeks.

Belfast Firms Complete Programme On Tendering Process
A number of small firms in Belfast are more confident in bidding for contracts now after completing a programme focused on the tendering process.

Appeal After Muslim Woman Assaulted In 'Hate Crime' Attack
Police are appealing for information after a Muslim woman was assaulted in Portadown on Saturday. The incident occurred on the Gilford Road at around 4.30pm. Police are treating the attack as a 'hate crime', which was racially motivated.

Bus Driver Dies In Belgium Collision
A bus driver from Northern Ireland has been killed in a collision in Belgium. James 'Geordie' Chance, originally from Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, worked for Richmond Coaches Ltd in Lisburn. His co-driver, Stephen Cardwell, is in hospital where his condition is describes as stable.

Man Released Following Bomb Discovery In West Belfast
A man arrested in connection after a bomb was found by police in west Belfast has been released. The device was discovered during a planned search of a house in Lenadoon Avenue on Friday night. Residents had to be evacuated from their homes nearby as army bomb officers made the device safe.

Man Arrested Over Attack On William Frazer
Police have arrested a man following an alleged attack on William Frazer. The incident occurred in the Tandragee Road area of Markethill at around 7pm on Sunday. Mr Frazer needed hospital treatment following the attack.

Police Release CCTV Images Of Man Following Bomb Hoax Calls
Police investigating a series of bomb hoax calls have released CCTV images of a man they would like to speak to. The footage was taken on the Cliftonville Road in north Belfast on 29 August 2014. Detectives are appealing to the public's help to identify the man.

Britain 'Hampering' Attempts For Peace - McGuinness
Britain is hampering reconciliation in Ireland by refusing to acknowledge its role in the conflict here, Martin McGuinness said in London last night.

Flood-Hit Families Could Be Locked Out For Months
Some Northern Ireland families whose houses were damaged in this week's floods have been told they could have to spend months away from home.

Dash Of The Titans To Hit Belfast
Ancient Greek mythology depicts the Titans as a race of powerful gods who ruled during the legendary Golden Age. As Belfast enters into its own Golden Age, the city is hosting the colossal Dash of the Titans challenge.

No Jail Time For Sean Quinn
Businessman Sean Quinn has been spared jail after being found guilty of contempt on Tuesday after hiding €500 million property portfolio from the former Anglo Irish Bank.

School's Asbestos Building Closed
Part of an east Belfast school has been closed after damaged asbestos was found inside. The affected building at Bloomfield Collegiate was separate from the rest of the school and has now been closed.

Mauritius Trial On Hold At Six-Week Mark
The trial of two men accused of murdering a Co Tyrone newlywed has been put on hold while lawyers attempted to resolve an outstanding legal issue. Judge Mr Justice Prithviraj Fecknah thanked jurors at the Mauritius murder trial surrounding Michaela McAreavey's death for their patience.

Magharafelt Beats Olympic Rings Record
The town of Magharafelt is officially a record-breaker. Guinness World Records have confirmed that the town, in County Londonderry, managed to get the most people ever forming the Olympic Rings.

Major Security Operation At NI's Ports
UK and Northern Ireland authorities have teamed up to beat criminal activity at travel hubs. The project, dubbed Operation Gantry, will see additional police officers at ports over the summer months, to "provide reassurance to the travelling public and deter criminal activity".

Are You Ready For The Digital Switchover?
Northern Ireland's TV transmitters will all switch to digital in October. The switchover is scheduled for October 10 and 24, so to make sure nobody is caught out and left with fuzzy analogue screens, a Donaghadee-based digital company has offered its services.

Campervan Firm Drives Forward Expansion
Bunk Campers based in Carryduff is planning to significantly expand its operations in 2012 with support from Invest Northern Ireland.

Antrim-Based MD Golf Secures Aston Martin Licence Deal
Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster has congratulated Antrim company MD Golf on securing a global licence to develop and sell Aston Martin branded golf equipment. The Minister extended her congratulations to David Millsopp during her visit to the Irish Open held at Royal Portush.

Northern Ireland Bids For Business At Offshore Wind Event
Northern Ireland is demonstrating its expertise and experience in offshore wind and marine energy at Offshore Wind 2011.

Man Arrested For Murder Following Carrick Body Find
A 38-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder, after a woman's body was found in Carrickfergus. The body of the 29-year-old woman was found in a house in the Pattersons Row area of the Co. Antrim town around 6pm on Tuesday.

Alcohol Linked To Increased Suicides In NI
Alcohol and drug abuse has been linked to increasing suicide rates in Northern Ireland by an inquiry. The Suicide and Homicide in Northern Ireland by People with Mental Illness report was commissioned by the Public Health Agency and conducted by the National Confidential Inquiry.

Ritchie Can't Believe Wilson On Corporation Tax
SDLP Leader Margaret Ritchie has claimed Finance Minister Sammy Wilson "doesn't believe" in the policy of reducing corporation tax, despite leading the negotiations with the UK Government.

Body Exhumed In 'Disappeared' Search
A body has been exhumed in County Monaghan by the organisation responsible for locating the remains of the 'Disappeared' from the Troubles. It is understood that the remains were found in a grave in a cemetery in Urbleshanny Church, near Scotstown.

McCrea Criticised Over GAA Taunt
DUP MLA Ian McCrea has come under fire for his comments on the latest GAA results, saying he hoped the celebrations would be "kept out of mid-ulster".

Cigarette Stocks Stolen In Newtownabbey
What's been described as a "substantial quantity" of cigarettes has been stolen from a shop in Newtownabbey. Police in the area said they are appealing for information following the burglary at a grocery store in the Kings Crescent area on Monday night.

JP Corry Expands Into Newry
Northern Ireland's leading builders' merchant, JP Corry, has acquired Phoenix Merchants, the local merchant branch for the Newry trade professional. Builders in the Newry area will benefit from JP Corry's product range, service excellence and commitment to sustainable construction.

Newtownabbey Man Named Apprentice Of The Year 2011
A young County Antrim man, Ross Getty, has been awarded the inaugural PMST Apprentice of the Year 2011 title during a glittering ceremony at Belfast City Hall.

Blame-Game Rages On New School Building
The Education Minister has said that she does not have the budget to fund as many new school buildings as she would like to. Caitriona Ruane told the Stormont Assembly that she has made decisions on which of the 69 school applications are to get the go ahead for new buildings to be constructed.

Second Stolen Saburu Death Revealed
The Stormont Roads Minister has expressed his shock and concern at the toll of road casualties over the past weekend. Edwin Poots was commenting on several deadly incidents, including one in which two men have since died from their injuries and one where a child was knocked down and killed.

Dangerous Sex Offender On Loose
A dangerous sexual predator has been sighted in different parts of Northern Ireland, police have said. Officers in Lancashire are appealing for information about the whereabouts of a high-risk sex offender who is wanted for recall to prison.

Cross-Border Crime Focus Welcomed
There has been a warm welcome in Northern Ireland for reports that the Irish Republic's Justice Minister, Dermot Ahern, (pictured) is to kick-start a multi-agency initiative to crack down on crime in border areas.

Two Die In Dublin Gang Shooting
Two men have been killed and a teenage boy injured after gunmen opened fire on a car in west Dublin last night. Gardai in Ronanstown are investigating the shooting incident, which occurred on the Neilstown Road at approximately 8.00pm yesterday evening.

Roads Minister 'Failing' Unemployed
A Stormont Executive Minister has been accused of failing to deliver jobs for the long-term unemployed.

Help Needed For NI's Carers: BMA
A major national medical conference has been urged to lobby the Government to "do more to support carers".

Shankill Enjoys Jobs Opportunity Boost
Job and promotion opportunities for almost 200 people from deprived areas of west Belfast has been hailed as the result of an award-winning employment programme.

Good News On Jobs For Shankill
Job and promotion opportunities for almost 200 people from deprived areas of west Belfast has been hailed as the result of an award-winning employment programme.

Building Firm Commended For Innovation
A Co Tyrone concrete and brick manufacturer has been commended for its "innovative" approach it takes in managing talent within the company.

Unused Homes 'Due Rates' In 2011
Empty homes will be liable to the same rates as occupied homes from 1 October next year - with this change set to raise £10m revenue a year.

Galway Firm Blasts Off With Space Contract
A Galway firm has won contracts worth €1.9 million with the European Space Agency (ESA).

PSI Showcase Rigging Courses
A regular provider of rigging services and equipment for Ireland's leading entertainment shows, Production Services Ireland (PSI) has launched a series of regular two-day Rigging Awareness training courses.

UVF Guns, Ammo And Bombs 'Beyond Use'
The haul of weapons decommissioned by the UVF and Red Hand Commandos included guns, ammunition and explosives, it has been revealed. However, independent observers - who described the cache as a "major decommissioning event" - have not said how many weapons were actually given up.

Shock Call For Further PSNI Cuts
A call to further reduce the size of the Police Service Northern Ireland has surprised commentators already lobbying against existing cut-backs.

NI Children Catch Swine Flu On Holiday
Two youngsters from Northern Ireland have tested positive for swine flu. The pair had recently returned from a family holiday in Mexico, where the pandemic originated. As a result, a County Down primary school has been closed after one pupil was diagnosed with swine flu.

Belfast CyberSources Offices Opened By Foster
NI Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster has officially opened the new CyberSource offices in Belfast. Last year it was announced that the US firm, would develop a 56 person research and development (R&D) centre in Belfast, with support from Invest NI.

Parades Honour Forces
A national day to honour the armed services has been held as a protest by republicans led to confrontation with the police in Belfast. That happened as Armed Forces Day was celebrated on Saturday, marking the contribution of war heroes past and present.

Derry Man Shot On Own Doorstep
Detectives are working to establish a motive for the shooting of a Londonderry man yesterday. He is recovering in hospital after being shot three times at his front door in the Florence Street area of the city at approximately 11.50pm on Sunday.

Firm Fined £35k After Labourer Loses Leg
A Dungiven firm has been fined more than £35,000 following a Health and Safety breach at a landfill site which resulted in a worker losing a leg.

GB Sweats As NI Heads For Downpours
Despite earlier hopes that Northern Ireland was 'set fair' for this coming week with temperatures predicted to reach at least 27C by Tuesday, it looks instead like heavy rain is on the way.

Clampdown On Belfast Littering
Dropped litter in the NI capital is being taken increasingly seriously. Belfast City Council is highlighting its 'Litter - get a grip!' campaign which is to introduce a new clampdown on offenders.

Double Accolade For AV Browne
An established advertising agency in Belfast has been celebrating a 'double'.

School Wins Lidl Fit Challenge
A Co Antrim school is celebrating winning a fitness challenge this week. Round Tower Integrated Primary School has been crowned inaugural 'Lidl Fit Factor Challenge Champions'.

Police officers to receive compensation
Many of the 5,000 officers suing the PSNI Chief Constable will be able to receive compensation for trauma. The total compensation bill is expected to exceed £100 million making it the largest and longest ever running civil compensation action of its type in the UK.

Family home targeted by racists
Racists who have daubed slogans on the walls and posted leaflets through the letterbox of a house in south Belfast have targeted a family for three years forcing the woman from her home.

Rector found guilty over indecent images
A Church of Ireland Rector has been found guilty of possessing indecent images of young boys. The Reverend Stephen Crowther, 47, from Lisnaskea in Fermanagh was placed on the sex offenders register for six years and fined £2,500.

Belfast gains 200 IT jobs
A leading global IT and telecoms firm has announced a multi-million pound investment that will create 200 jobs in Belfast.

Postal strike hits deliveries
Postal deliveries are suspended today as staff across Northern Ireland strike today over pay and business restructuring proposals. Post Office branches are open, but mail sorting and delivery are suspended due to the industrial action.

US Envoy encourages Inward Investment in NI
Economy Minister Nigel Dodds has welcomed the statement by the US Special Envoy on her commitment encouraging inward investment for Northern Ireland. The statement followed a meeting with Paula Dobriansky, a group of US business leaders and five Northern Ireland Ministers including Mr Dodds.

Medical Centre 'safe' after search
Queen's University Medical Biology Centre has been declared safe following reports of fumes in the area. Firefighters called to the centre on the Lisburn Road declared the area safe on Thursday evening after a major operation by officers wearing breathing apparatus who searched the building.

Maritime Festival celebrates nautical links
Belfast’s close links with the sea are marked on Saturday, when the city hosts the second annual Belfast Maritime Festival. The cutting edge of the modern age will be highlighted by the arrival of HMS Albion one of the most up-to-date vessels in the Royal Navy fleet.

Premiers meet with NI political parties
Prime Minister Tony Blair and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, are meeting with Northern Ireland's political parties today in a bid to reaffirm the November 24 deadline on power-sharing. The meeting is an attempt to encourage politicians to reach agreement on reinstating an all-party power-sharing assembly.

North Belfast loyalist remanded in custody
A leading north Belfast loyalist has been remanded in custody over charges connection with serious crime. Ihab Shoukri, 32, was charged with membership of the UDA/UFF between January and March 2006, and with a second charge of claiming to be a member of the organisation.

Irish President launches cross-community project
A cross-community project aimed at reducing sectarian tensions at an interface area in south Belfast has been launched today.

Earl of Wessex visits Northern Ireland
His Royal Highness the Earl of Wessex has officially opened the new Chest, Heart and Stroke Association Headquarters in Belfast.

NI soldier killed in Afghanistan
A British soldier, who was killed during an explosion in Afghanistan earlier in the week, was from Northern Ireland.

'Quarter' of informers taken off police books
Almost a quarter of police informers in Northern Ireland have been taken off the books, it has been revealed. The decision followed three major reviews into how the force manages it intelligence.

Mother to search for missing son in UK
The mother of missing County Down man Martin Kelly, is to embark on a month-long journey around the UK, in an attempt to raise awareness of his disappearance. Mrs Kelly will visit approximately 14 cities throughout the UK, and will start her search today in Glasgow.

Google opens 'Checkout' payment service
Google has announced the launch of Google Checkout, a payments system that will rival ebay's PayPal online payments service.

Future of Belfast Port in jeopardy
The Port of Belfast could be broken up and stripped of its assets, a report published today has revealed. The news emerged after the publication of a government review of the port's policy, which could pave the way for selling off key parts of the business to private buyers.

NI black taxi fares to increase
The Department of the Environment (DOE), which is the licensing authority for the taxi industry in Northern Ireland, has today announced that public hire taxi fares are to to increase between 13% and 31% from July 27 2006.

TV equipment stolen in west Belfast
Police in west Belfast have appealed for information following the theft of a quantity of professional television broadcast equipment.

Orange Order and nationalist residents agree Derry march
Around 3,000 Orangemen are to march on the nationalist west bank of Londonderry on the 12th July following an “historic” agreement between the Orange Order and Bogside Residents Group.

Couple escape injury in petrol bomb attack
A couple in their 20’s have escaped injury following a petrol bomb attack on a house in Co Down. The incident occurred in the Brayside Grove area of Castlereagh at about 2.45am on Wednesday.

Funeral takes place of drowning victim
The funeral of a teenager who drowned in a Co Fermanagh lake last weekend, has taken place on Wednesday. Martin McGoldrick, 19, had been swimming alongside his brother and two friends in Coranny Lake near Rosslea on Saturday when he went missing.

Teenager left ‘shocked and shaken’ in robbery attempt
A teenage girl has been left “shocked and shaken” after she was assaulted and threatened at knifepoint during an attempted robbery in Co Down on Tuesday. The incident, which took place at a shop at Balloo Road, Bangor, shortly before 9.

Centre of Excellence to advance engineering research
Northern Ireland’s technology infrastructure received a major boost today with a £6 million investment in a new engineering research centre in Co Antrim.

East Belfast interface to get £1m improvements
A £1 million plan to improve an interface area in East Belfast has been announced by Social Development Minister David Hanson.

Leading architects visit Giant's Causeway site
Architects from across the world have arrived in North Antrim today to get ideas on how best to design the new visitor facilities at the Giant’s Causeway.

Police issue burglary warning in west Belfast
Police have issued a warning to householders in west Belfast following a number of burglaries in the area over the past weekend. Officers say entry to premises having been gained through unlocked doors and windows in almost 30% of domestic burglaries in the area this year.

Enterprising students complete Entrée programme
Students who recently completed an innovative new Entrepreneurship Training Programme (Entrée) at the Belfast Institute have been awarded with certificates.

NI seat belt wearing rates on the increase
Figures released on Wednesday have revealed that he number of people wearing seat belts in Northern Ireland has increased over the past year. The survey, commissioned by the DoE, revealed that 93% of drivers were recorded as wearing a seat belt while the figures for front seat passengers was 92%.

Pensioner treated for shock following break-in
A pensioner has been treated for shock after a number of men broke into her south Belfast home early this morning. The 78-year-old woman awoke to find three intruders standing in her bedroom shortly after midnight.

US firm invests £2.9m at Belfast plant
The Belfast base of a US software company is to invest £2.9 million to develop new services for its parent company and embark on further training and development.

Regional Neighbourhood Watch Scheme launched by Minister
NIO Minister John Spellar today launched the new Regional Neighbourhood Watch Scheme.

Schools’ budgets must be managed more effectively
Education Minister, Barry Gardiner today voiced his concerns at the number of schools in Northern Ireland that are over and under spending budgets.

Queen's and BIFHE sign partnership agreement
Queen's University and Belfast Institute of Further and Higher Education have signed a new partnership agreement which will formalise links between the two institutions.

World War II heroes make poignant return to battlefields
Northern Ireland’s WWII war veterans are continuing to mark the 60th anniversary of D-Day with their own lottery-funded trips to other spots of remembrance throughout France.

Children attacked in north Belfast
Catholic school children have been attacked as they stepped off a school bus in north Belfast on Monday. The vehicle, which was carrying pupils from the Edmund Rice Primary School, had stopped near Ligoniel when a number of youths approached.

Put people first says Minister
Minister responsible for the Review of Public Administration (RPA), Ian Pearson has said that the public sector must put the needs of the people of Northern Ireland first if high quality public services are to be delivered across the province.

Construction apprentices get employment boost
Two hundred young apprentices will get the chance to learn their trade on local construction sites over the next two years, through an initiative launched today by the government.

NI company law set for modernisation
Enterprise Minister, Barry Gardiner today announced first steps to modernise company law in Northern Ireland. The Minister issued a paper entitled ‘Flexibility and Accessibility’, for consultation, saying company law was fundamental to the effective operation of the local economy.

NEW HOTEL BOOSTS NORTH COAST TOURISM
THE Chairman of the Northern Ireland Tourist Board Roy Bailie has officially opened the Comfort Hotel in Portrush.

THE EAGLES ARE COMING TO TOWN
THE Eagles are set to play to the largest crowd ever seen at Stormont on 29th June.

COOPER ATTEMPTS TO UNSEAT GILDERNEW
ULSTER Unionist James Cooper has commenced a legal battle in an attempt to unseat new Sinn Fein MP Michelle Gildernew. The case being brought before the High Court in Belfast claims that a ballot box was interfered with during the course of polling in the Westminster election.

SOUTH BELFAST REGENERATION STRATEGY LAUNCHED
THE level of social need that actually exists in South Belfast can sometimes be masked by the perception of some of its more affluent areas, the Minister for Social Development, Maurice Morrow, has said.

POLICE TREAT BOMB ATTACKS AS SECTARIAN
POLICE are treating a nail bomb attack on a house in South Belfast just after midnight on June 29 as sectarian. A woman sleeping upstairs escaped unharmed when the device was thrown through the living room window at Upper Dunmurry Lane. It exploded causing damage to the living room starting a fire.

BOOKLET CELEBRATES NI'S INDUSTRIAL HERITAGE
NORTHERN Ireland’s Industrial Heritage was celebrated at the launch of the National Trust’s latest education resource booklet ‘Our Industrial Heritage’.

SPORTS MINISTER SEEKS ROADS FUNDING
SPORTS Minister, Michael McGimpsey, is confident that he will obtain extra funding to make Northern Ireland’s road circuits safer for motorcycle racing.

ASSEMBLY HAS MAJOR INFLUENCE ON INVESTMENT
COLLAPSE of the assembly could adversely effect business investment in Northern Ireland, business advisors, warn PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). The results of their latest survey suggest that devolved government had been good for business in Northern Ireland.

HUMAN RIGHTS AT THE HEART OF THE RUC
RUC Chief Constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan has pledged continuing commitment to the importance of human rights as a core philosophy in the development of policing in Northern Ireland.

FIRST MINISTER SET TO STEP DOWN
FOLLOWING downbeat assessments of the meetings on Friday between Tony Blair, Bertie Ahern and the main Northern Ireland’s political party leaders, discussions are under way to examine possible strategies if First Minister David Trimble resigns.