On this day in Northern Ireland news history

Fresh Appeal For Information On Murder Of Mark Hall
The PSNI have issued a fresh appeal for information on the murder of Mark Hall who was shot dead at his family home in Rodney Drive in Belfast on Saturday, 18 December 2021.

NIFRS Urges People To Be Vigilante To Risks Of Wildfires
As warmer weather approaches, the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) has urged the public to be vigilant to help prevent wildfires this summer. Last year NIFRS dealt with 1,239 wildfires.

Hundreds Of Children To Take Part In ESB Science Blast
Hundreds of primary school children from across NI are set to participate in the ESB Science Blast event at the ICC Belfast on Monday 25 April.

Three Arrests Made In North Coast Over Easter
The PSNI made three arrests and issued 1 fixed penalty notice and 5 Community Resolution Notices for drug offences, over the course of Easter on the North Coast.

Three Arrested In Connection With Banbridge Armed Robbery
Two men and a teenage boy have been arrested in connection with an armed robbery in Banbridge on Wednesday, 19 April. At approximately 10.15pm, police received a report that three masked men had entered a filling station on the Scarva Road.

Work Begins On New Portrush Integrated Primary School
Work has gotten underway on the construction of new 14 class primary school and double nursery unit for Mill Strand Integrated Primary School in Portrush. The project represents an investment of over £12million from the Fresh Start Programme, supported by the UK Government.

Bank Account Frozen In Paramilitary Investigation
The PSNI's Paramilitary Crime Task Force (PCTF) has seized almost £37,000 having been granted an Account Freezing Order. The Order was granted as part of an ongoing investigation into the activities of the South East Antrim UDA.

New Veterans Commissioner For NI Announced
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Chris Heaton-Harris MP, has announced the reappointment of Danny Kinahan as the Veterans Commissioner for Northern Ireland.

PHA Highlights Free Vaccinations And World Immunisation Week
The Public Health Agency (PHA) is marking World Immunisation Week by reminding the public that in Northern Ireland everyone at some point in their lifetime will be eligible for free vaccination.

66-Year-Old Man Charged With Alyson Nelson Murder
A 66-year-old man is due to appear before Belfast Magistrates' Court today, Wednesday 20 April, charged with the murder of Alyson Nelson. The 64-year-old woman was pronounced dead at a house in Victoria Avenue in Whitehead, Country Antrim.

Appeal For Information On South Belfast Burglary
The PSNI have issued an appeal for information and witnesses following a report of a burglary in south Belfast on Wednesday, 20th April. Making the appeal, Sergeant Rice said: "Police received a report shortly after 5.20am of a burglary in the Cranmore Avenue area.

Men Charged With Attempted Murder Following North Belfast Stabbing
Two men, aged 28 and 30, are due to appear before Belfast Magistrates' Court today (20 April) charged with attempted murder in connection with a stabbing incident in north Belfast.

Seven Men Arrested Following L'Derry Parade
Seven people have been arrested following a notified parade in L'Derry on Monday 18 April. Following the parade, police came under attack in the City Cemetery area of the city, in what the PSNI have described as a "premeditated attack".

DUP Launch New Plan To Help Working Families
DUP Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has announced the launch of his party's new plan to help working families during a visit to Primrose Hill Day Care in Ballyclare. Sir Jeffrey was joined by South Antrim DUP candidates Trevor Clarke and Pam Cameron.

Dublin Airport Pre-Flight Arrival Times Reduced
Passengers flying out of Dublin Airport are being advised of arriving up to 2.5 hours before any short-haul flights to Europe and the UK.

Easter Commemorations 'Should Be Dignified And Respectful'
Sinn Féin MLA and policing spokesperson Gerry Kelly has said that all Easter commemorations should be dignified and respectful and that "the days of people wearing masks at commemorations should be over". Mr Kelly said: "This week Easter commemorations were held all over Ireland.

Photographic Artists To Be Showcased On Belfast's Waterfront
Belfast Harbour has partnered with Belfast Photo Festival to create a free outdoor gallery on Belfast's waterfront, to showcase world class photographic artists at the new City Quays Gallery over the next six months.

Game Of Thrones Studio Tour Weaves Its Magic In Banbridge
It's fair to say that the Game of Thrones series has paid plenty of dividends to Northern Ireland.

Woodland Trust Acquires New Land In The Belfast Hills
The Woodland Trust In NI has acquired new land in the Belfast Hills.

Rise In NI Unemployment
There has been 5,780 redundancies recorded in the past 12 months with 250 confirmed in March alone, according to the latest labour market statistics. The figures from he Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (Nisra) confirm that this is the highest annual figure recorded since 2001.

Furniture Set Alight In West Belfast
Furniture was set alight in the middile of a road in west Belfast on Monday evening, 19 April. The incident occurred in the Shankhill Road area near to where a bus was set on fire earlier this month.

Viable Device Found Near Police Officer's Home
A viable device has been discovered near to the home of a police officer in Dungiven, L'Derry. The woman targeted is a member of staff and also serves as a part-time PSNI officer. First Minister Arlene Foster said she "condemned those responsible".

Further Details Of Scheme To Support Unpaid Carers Released
Further details of a £4.4million scheme to support unpaid carers has been released.

Investigation Launches After Video Shows Child Finding Gun
An investigation has launched after a video revealed a child finding a gun in east Belfast. The footage, which was posted on Twitter, shows a young boy with what is believed to be an air rife which was discovered in the Pitt Park area on Sunday, 18 April.

Cycle Friendly Employer Scheme Launced
The European Cycle Friendly Employer Scheme, delivered by Cycling UK and supported by Sustrans, has been launched in Northern Ireland.

UK Govt Urged To Reconsider Its Approach To Border Issues
The UK Government needs to reconsider its approach to the border issue in Brexit negotiations after speculation the EU Commission has comprehensively rejected its proposals, the Alliance Brexit Spokesperson, Stephen Farry MLA, has said.

Two Dead In Light Aircraft Crash
Two people have died after their light aircraft crashed and caught fire in Co Antrim. The incident happened near Nutts Corner just before 12.30pm on Thursday, 19 April. The crash site will be cordoned off for "some time", according to the PSNI.

Man Charged After Woman Killed In North Belfast Crash
A man has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving after a woman was hit by a stolen car in north Belfast. The stolen vehicle was being chased by police in the Ballysillan area before it crashed on Thursday, 19 April.

Investigation Launched After Several ATM Machines Targeted In Co Antrim
Police have launched an investigation after several ATM machines were targeted by thieves in Co Antrim. A shop in Aghalee was burgled in the early hours of Friday morning, 20 April, and a substantial amount of money was stolen.

Two Men Released After Body Found In North Belfast
Two men arrested after the discovery of a man's body in north Belfast have been released on bail pending further enquiries. The body of a man was discovered in the Orient Gardens area just before 10pm on Wednesday, 18 April. The suspects were arrested on suspicion of murder.

Schools Recognised For 'Exceptional Pastoral Care'
A number of schools have been recognised for their exceptional pastoral care at an awards ceremony hosted by the Department of Education and the Public Health Agency (PHA).

Bangor's Historic Court House To Be Brought Back To Community Use
The Department of Justice has announced plans to transfer Bangor Court House to allow it be brought back into use as a community facility.

80 Belfast Jobs Secured At Harland & Wolff
Eighty jobs are to be supported in Belfast following an announcement that Harland and Wolff are to export to a German windfarm project. The 56-turbine windfarm will use two types of steel foundations – suction bucket jackets and monopiles.

Shots Fired At House In West Belfast
Police are appealing for information after a number of shots were fired at a house in West Belfast. The incident occurred in the Aitnamona Crescent area on Wednesday, 19 April. Detective Inspector Mark McHaffie said: "Just after 10pm, a number of shots were fired at the house.

Belfast City Airport Announces Shortlist For £30k Marketing Prize
George Best Belfast City Airport has announced the food and drink products from across Northern Ireland that have been shortlisted in a competition offering producers the chance to win £30,000 of marketing support and brand visibility at the airport.

Over One Third Of Belfast Bikes Stolen Or Vandalised
More than one third of the popular Belfast Bikes are currently out of action due to theft or vandalism, Belfast City Council have reported.

21-Year-Old Motorcyclist Killed In Co Armagh Collision
A 21-year-old man has died in a road traffic collision near Gilford, Co Armagh. The man is understood to have died after his motorcycle collided with a tractor on the Ballymacanallen Road at around 1.25pm on Wednesday.

Report Finds NI Teens 'Happy With Their Lives'
A new report from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has found that most Northern Irish teenagers are 'happy with their lives'. According to the report, on a scale of 0 – 10, teenagers in NI reported an average satisfaction rate of 7.

Paisley Jr Criticised For Commons Remarks Over Colum Marks' Death
Ian Paisley Jr has been criticised for his comments regarding the death of an IRA volunteer in 1995.

US Firm To Create Business Academy
A US packaging firm is set to launch a Global Business Service Academy in Belfast. Bemis announced in January that it was establishing a European Business Service Centre in Campsie, L'Derry, creating up to 95 positions.

Violent Dissident Republicans Believed To Be Involved In L'Derry Shooting
Police believe violent dissident republicans were involved in a shooting attack in Co L'Derry. A man, aged in his 20's, sustained two gunshot wounds to his right leg in he Magowan Park area just before 9pm on Monday, 18 April. He is currently in a critical condition in hospital.

Motorcyclist Injured In Co Down Collision
A motorcyclist has been injured in a crash in Holywood, Co Down. The three-vehicle collision, which also involved a car and a van, happened near the Culloden Hotel on the A2 Bangor Road at around 4.30pm on Tuesday, 19 April.

Planning Approved For New Student Accommodation In Belfast
Belfast City Council has approved planning permission for a new student accommodation in the city. A 740-bedroom complex is to be developed on a vacant site in College Avenue in the city centre.

Investigation Launched Following Carjacking In South Belfast
Police have launched an investigation following a carjacking in south Belfast on Tuesday, 19 April. The owner of a Smart car was threatened by a man, after parking the vehicle at around 10pm in Stockmans Lane, and told to hand over his keys.

Police Appeal To Identify Man Believed To Have Been Involved In Serious Assault
Police in Belfast are appealing to the public for information to try and identify the man pictured. The man is believed to have been involved in a serious attack which happened outside licensed premises in the Bank Square area at around 10pm on 16 January.

Claims Officer Smashed Car Window Despite Being Offered Keys Rejected
Claims that a police officer smashed a car window despite being offered the keys of the vehicle have been rejected by the Police Ombudsman. The incident happened as police responded to reports of suspicious activity in the early hours of the morning in a forest outside Benburb in August last year.

Woman To Appear In Court Over Drugs Trafficking Offences
A woman is due to appear in court today, 20 April, charged with drugs trafficking offences. Police seized herbal cannabis, worth an estimated street value of £3000,000, on 01 April in Co Antrim. The 54-year-old suspect is to appear Ballymena Magistrates' Court.

Council Hosts US Delegates In Sister City Investment Initiative
Belfast City Council (BCC) has hosted a delegation from two US cities aimed at strengthening sister city links and create investment, and cultural and educational opportunities.

Council Launches 'Brush Off' Challenge
Belfast City Council is calling on communities and groups across the city to make a clean sweep in their neighbourhood as part of a city-wide competition.

West Stand At Windsor Park To Be Demolished
The West Stand at Windsor Park is to be demolished following recent structural damage, the Irish Football Association has confirmed.

Dogs Killed In Fermanagh Fire
Seven dogs and six pups have died following a fire at a shed in Clabby, Co Fermanagh, on Saturday evening. Police have launched an investigation to establish if the fire in the Drumcor Road area was started deliberately.

Public Transport Workers To Go On Strike
Public transport workers are to go on a 24 hour strike for the second time on Wednesday 6 May, the union Unite has confirmed. The strike, over cuts to Translink's budget, will affect Metro, Ulsterbus and NI Railways services.

Brick Thrown At House In South Belfast Being Treated As Hate Crime
A brick thrown through the window of a house in west Belfast is being treated as a "sectarian hate crime", according to police. The house on Walmer Street was attacked just before 7.30pm on Sunday.

Independent Review Commissioned Over North Belfast Parades Impasse
The Orange Order has commissioned an independent review over the parades and protests on the Crumlin Road, north Belfast. The review is to provide an accurate account of the facts surrounding the current impasse and offer conclusions that will contribute to a just and equitable resolution.

Ambulance Crew Assaulted In Co Antrim
A man has been arrested after an ambulance crew were attacked in Greenisland, Co Antrim. Their ambulance and equipment were also damaged during the incident which occurred in the Knockleigh Drive area on Sunday.

Police Appeal Following Armed Robbery In West Belfast
Police are appealing for information following an armed robbery in west Belfast on Saturday. A man armed with a gun robbed a credit agent in the Westrock Gardens area at around 10.30am. The man made off with a sum of money.

Minister Exhausts All Options To Save Athletic Stores Site
After an exhaustive assessment of all issues from every angle, DOE Planning has given planning permission for a retail and residential development of the Athletic Stores site. The Environment Minister Alex Attwood has concluded this is, with regret, the better way to proceed.

SDLP Slams Translink's Chief's Pay Rise Like Poor 'Yes Minister' Joke
SDLP Regional Development Committee member Dolores Kelly says Translink's Chief Executive's pay increase is comparable in monetary terms to having an extra nurse on our hospital ward or a teacher in a classroom.

Ministers Launch ni2012 In Delhi
The First Minister Rt Hon Peter Robinson MLA, and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness MP,MLA launched ni2012 in Delhi at the end of their trade and business mission to the United Arab Emirates and India. The event was attended by a range of Indian travel operators and travel agents.

Cannabis Plants Found In Armagh
Over 200 cannabis plants have been seized following a search of premises in Armagh. A suspected fuel laundering plant and counterfeit currency was also discovered. It was found at Battleford Road on Thursday during searches by detectives from the organised crime branch.

NI Motorists Charged Highest Petrol Prices In The UK
The price of petrol in Northern Ireland is about 1.5p above the national average. UK petrol prices have soared to 142.48p per litre, according to motoring association the AA. In Northern Ireland we pay around 143.9p a litre for petrol and 148.2p a litre for diesel.

New Initiative Launched To Resolve Parading Disputes
Former speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly, Lord John Alderdice, has been asked to take on an initiative by the Parades Commission to resolve parading disputes in Ardoyne, north Belfast. Fr Gary Donegan and Rev Norman Hamilton will also take part in the new initiative.

Man Dies In Castlederg House Fire
An OAP has died following a fire in his Castlederg home. Robert Fitzpatrick, 88, died after the blaze broke out on Thursday morning in the County Tyrone property. Police are not treating the Munie Road fire as suspicious. A post mortem examination will be carried out.

Small Wonders Childcare Centre Receives EU Funding Boost
Small Wonders childcare centre in west Belfast is to receive £700,000 of EU funds to promote cross-community relations. The project, jointly funded by the executive and the Irish government, will create 12 new jobs.

Drop In Council Waste Going To Landfill
There's a continuing decrease in the amount of local authority collected municipal waste sent to landfill in Northern Ireland. According to the latest government statistics in October to December 2011, there were 134,206 tonnes sent to landfill, resulting in a landfill rate of 61%.

Attwood Hits Out At Illegal Cabs
One in four taxis do not comply with legal requirements. This is all the more reason for the introduction of the operator licensing for taxis according to Environment Minister Alex Attwood.

McCusker To Lead Police Ombudsman Probe
The Stormont Justice Minister has revealed who will run an investigation into allegations over the NI Police Ombudsman's Office.

Alliance Manifesto Backs Water Charges
The Alliance Party has launched their election manifesto this week in Belfast.

Irish Police In Kerr Murder Raid
There has been an overnight raid in Co Monaghan with the Irish police searching property and seizing a number of items as part of the investigation into the murder of PSNI Constable, Ronan Kerr. Gardai raided a property in Scotstown, on Tuesday evening.

Northcott Demolition Begins At Weekend
A supermarket project in Co Antrim will secure construction jobs for around 250 people at a time when the industry is struggling. As revealed exclusively on Tesco's Sandyknowes Centre Underway work started on the brand-new Tesco Extra and petrol filling station earlier this month.

'Celtic Bombers' Condemned
An investigation is underway after parcel bombs were sent to NI-born Celtic manager, Neil Lennon, as well as a lawyer and a politician.

Human Remains Found In City Suburb
The discovery by contractors of human remains in an empty house has shocked a south Belfast suburb. Last night, the PSNI confirmed that it was indeed human remains that turned up as part of a house clearance in Donegall Avenue in the loyalist Village area.

Alliance Party Launch Election Manifesto
The Alliance Party has launched their election manifesto this week in Belfast.

Games Of Thrones Commissions Second Series
The epic fantasy adventure series Game of Thrones, which debuted on Sky this week, has been commissioned for a second series. The HBO series is a dramatisation of George RR Martin's cult novel, Games of Thrones that is the first in a series of books titled 'A Song of Ice and Fire'.

Northcott Demolition Begins At Weekend
A supermarket project in Co Antrim will secure construction jobs for around 250 people at a time when the industry is struggling.

'Aqua Vitae' Appreciated In Belfast
Gerry Miller from Belfast Visitor & Convention Bureau (BVCB) and Diageo's Clare Strawson toast a special Bushmills event as part of the Belfast Film Festival.

Concrete Deal Paves The Way For Future Sales
Northern Ireland concrete products manufacturer Acheson & Glover is supplying paving to one of the largest residential developments in south Dublin in a contract potentially worth €750,000 in future sales to the Co Tyrone based company.

NI Company Paves Dublin Development
A Northern Ireland concrete products manufacturer is supplying paving to one of the largest residential developments in south Dublin. Acheson & Glover has signed a contract potentially worth €750,000 in future sales for the Co Tyrone based company.

Ballyclare Murder Probed
There's news today of a major police investigation after a woman was found strangled in Ballyclare, Co Antrim at the weekend. A murder inquiry has been launched after Pauline Haveron's body was found in a house at Huntingdale Green on Sunday.

Van Ablaze As Road Crash Victim Dies
A van has been left blazing and a man, believed to be in his late 20s, has died following a traffic collision in Co Down. Five other people were taken to the Royal Victoria hospital in Belfast, two are understood to be in a critical condition, the other three are said to be stable.

Bomb Alert Follows CIT Robbery
A security alert is ongoing and a Cash-in-Transit driver is recovering after being robbed of a cash box in Co Antrim this morning. It happened at the Northern Bank in Mallusk at around 9am this morning with three men, one of whom was armed with a handgun, holding up the security man.

Strabane Shooting Condemned
A 24-year-old man is recovering in hospital after being shot in both legs in a paramilitary style attack on Monday evening. A local politician, SDLP West Tyrone Westminster candidate Joe Byrne (pictured) has condemned the shooting: "This was an undemocratic attack on the people of Strabane.

Airspace Closes Again After Brief Respite
On day six of the big flight shut-down, there's conflicting news of further volcanic ash cloud spreading towards the UK - with on-the-spot reports on BBC Radio Ulster that the Icelandic volcano at the heart of the storm has since moderated its activity.

Irish Flights Still Grounded After Eruption
The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) has declared that flights will again be halted today after a further eruption in Iceland.

Sinn Féin Backs NI's 'Café Culture'
NI is to be able to join its continental neighbours by extending its restaurants onto the streets. Sinn Féin has successfully called on the NI Assembly to bring forward legislation to enable the development of a 'Café Culture' in Northern Ireland's towns and cities.

Sinn Féin Backs NI's 'Café Culture'
NI is to be able to join its continental neighbours by extending its restaurants onto the streets. Sinn Féin has successfully called on the NI Assembly to bring forward legislation to develop a 'Café Culture' in Northern Ireland.

Durkan Welcomes Telehouse Handover
There's been a major step-forward in an international project to connect the North West to the USA.

Crescent Arts Centre Restoration Complete
The newly refurbished Crescent Arts Centre in Belfast has been re-opened, following an 18-month restoration project. The £7.2m scheme involved a refurbishment and restoration, which has preserved the exterior façade of the Grade II listed building.

£1m Price Tag On Roundabout
Turning a busy road junction into a roundabout will come at a cost - almost a cool £1m. The Roads Service has said that a 'life-saving' plan to install one at the A26 Moira and Ballinderry roads junction would be an expensive undertaking.

Two Motorcyclists Die On NI Roads
There were two road fatalities in Northern Ireland at the weekend. Along with a third road crash victim in Co Donegal this brings the death toll across Ireland to three in just 48 hours.

Abandon Criminality, Cardinal To Tell Loyalists
The head of the Catholic church in Ireland has urged loyalist paramilitaries to 'liberate' society from criminality and drug dealing.

Chancellor's Savings Could Cost Stormont £600m
The Stormont Assembly could face a £600m cut in central funding under the 2009 Budget, an Ulster Unionist MLA has warned. Deputy Party Leader Danny Kennedy said further financial cuts from Westminster are on the way for the Northern Ireland devolved administration.

Translink Job Cuts Confirmed
About 75 jobs will be cut from Northern Ireland's bus and rail services next year, it has emerged. The NI Minister for Regional Development Conor Murphy has confirmed the details in an answer to an Assembly question - but also insisted there would be no compulsory layoffs.

Careless Day-Trippers Blamed For North Coast Blaze
As the warmer weather begins, a warning over fire risks in the countryside has been issued. The call comes as an area of natural beauty in north Antrim has been destroyed in a blaze caused - it is thought - by people being careless with a used barbecue.

Appeal After Crumlin Road Attack
Detectives from Antrim Road CID have appealed for witnesses following an assault and robbery in the Crumlin road Tennent street area in the early hours of Saturday. At around 2am a 16-year-old male was attacked by four unknown youths who threatened him with a knife and stole his mobile phone.

Compensation For Attacks On Halls Announced
There is to be new legislation which will make it easier for the owners of community halls to get compensation for their premises if they are attacked and criminally damaged.

Belfast Marathon Races Into New Record
In excess of 33,000 feet will be pounding the streets of Belfast on May Day Bank Holiday Monday in the most successful Deep RiverRock Belfast City Marathon ever. More than 16,500 people have signed up for the 28th running of Northern Ireland's biggest participatory sporting event on Monday 4 May.

GAA Star's Brother 'Critical' Following Assault
The brother of a Derry GAA footballer is in hospital, following an attack in Co Tyrone. Connor McCusker, the 31-year-old brother of Derry vice-captain Niall McCusker, is in a critically ill condition following the incident which took place yesterday morning.

40-year-old man jailed for abuse
A man who faked his own suicide in a bid to avoid jail for the rape and abuse of his teenage stepdaughter, has been sentenced to 10 years imprisonment.

Lord Eames to receive peace award
Retired Church of Ireland primate Robin Eames is to be presented with the prestigious Tipperary International Peace Award. Lord Eames, 69, will join a list of recipients of the award, including Nelson Mandela, and former US President Bill Clinton.

Detectives investigate west Belfast robbery
Police in west Belfast are appealing for information following an armed robbery in licensed premises in the Falls Road area. It is understood two men, carrying handguns and wearing Halloween masks, entered the Rock bar between 11:45pm and 12.15am on Wednesday.

Printing jobs boost for Newry
Independent News and Media newspaper group has announced it is creating 60 jobs at a new printing press in Newry. The plant will cost £20 million and more than 30 newspaper titles including the Mirror, the News of the World and the Daily Express are printed by the company.

Ulster comedian to tread the boards in acting debut
Northern Ireland TV celebrity and comedian Paddy Kielty is set to make a career change, with the announcement that he will be making his acting debut in Belfast this summer.

UUP row allegedly erupts over health role
A row has allegedly erupted within the Ulster Unionist Party after claims Alan McFarland turned down the chance to become health minister in the new Northern Ireland executive.

"Fortunate" escape for baggage handler
A baggage handler has revealed how he was almost locked in the cargo hold, on a flight bound for New York. A report heard the man had to call colleagues on his mobile, as the Aer Lingus Airbus 330 was taxi-ing for take-off on 28 December 2005.

UU to offer Documentary Making Masters
The University of Ulster is to become the first university in Ireland to offer documentary making at Masters degree level. A new Masters course is aimed at people who have or are working in the media industries or graduates with practice-inclusive media degrees.

Crude oil prices spiral higher
Oil prices have continued to climb today to reach record levels of over $74 a barrel. The crude oil market has seen prices driven higher by concerns over the Iran nuclear crisis and increasing demand for petrol.

UK inflation rate slows
UK inflation rose by 1.8% in March, according to the latest figures, representing a drop of 0.2% on February's figures. The Consumer Price Index, the government's target measure, fell to 1.8% from February's figures of 2%, which had also been predicted for March.

British Airways halve ticket prices
British Airways has announced plans to reduce ticket prices for more than 65 destinations in Europe by as much as 50%. One-way all-inclusive ticket prices will now start at £29.

Two teenagers arrested in connection with school fire
Two teenagers have been taken into police custody following a suspicious fire at a primary school in County Antrim. The male and female youths were found in the area at around 1am, shortly after the blaze started, and are currently being held for questioning by officers.

NI Assembly legislation to be laid down
The Government has published legislation in the House of Commons today calling for the Northern Ireland Assembly to sit again on May 15.

Four held over discovery of bomb making materials
Four men who were arrested for questioning after the discovery of bomb making materials for a 250lb bomb in County Armagh are still being held by police. The raid was carried out yesterday on a suspected bomb making factory in a breakers yard in the Antrim Road area of Lurgan.

Funeral for twin brothers takes place
The funeral service for the twin brothers who died in a road crash near east Belfast at the weekend has taken place. Mark and Wayne Wallace, 19, were killed when the car in which they were travelling was in collided with a tree on the Ballygowan Road at around 1am on Saturday.

Police attacked as they chase stolen car
Police in west Belfast have been attacked by youths as they chased a stolen vehicle yesterday afternoon. It was reported that two men had stolen a blue coloured Volkswagen Polo from Sorella Street in the west of the city just before 1pm and tried to take another vehicle in the Townsend Street area.

Pensioners robbed in County Antrim home
An elderly couple have been robbed in their County Antrim home yesterday afternoon. The woman is reported to have answered the door of her home on the Dungonnell Road in Crumlin just after 2.30pm when four men forced their way into the property.

Three men released without charge
Three men arrested yesterday in connection with the murder of North Belfast man Jameson Lockhart have been released without charge. Mr Lockhart was fatally shot as he sat in a lorry at the junction of Templemore Avenue on the Lower Newtownards Road in east Belfast, in July 2005.

East Belfast to gain Business Centre
The government has announced that a derelict site on the approach to East Belfast is to be transformed into a landmark business centre with job-creating potential.

Nuclear power plant proposal for Derry
Councillors in Londonderry are due to attend a meeting later today to hear a local businessman's proposals to build a nuclear power plant in the city. Robert Andrews has said that the plant will will provide energy to the province as well as creating jobs for around 500 people.

Police issue photofit of robbery men
Police have issued a photofit of two men they believe were behind last week's £1.2 million delivery van robbery in south Belfast. One is believed to be in his late 20s to early 30s, of medium build, average height with very short dark hair. He was wearing a light-coloured jumper.

South Belfast election blow for UUP
The Ulster Unionist Party was dealt an election blow today when it was confirmed that a South Belfast branch of the party has disbanded because its members want to back the DUP's Westminster candidate Jimmy Spratt.

Woman and son escape injury in petrol bomb attack
A woman and her eight-year-old son have escaped injury in a petrol bomb attack at their home in Co Down on Tuesday. The device was thrown at the front of the house at Ballyminetragh Gardens, Bangor, at around 9pm.

Three men arrested following cocaine seizure
Three men have been arrested in connection with a "significant" cocaine seizure in Co Tyrone. Forensic scientists are said to have examined what detectives described as a "drugs factory" in Dungannon.

DUP now the mainstream unionist party - Donaldson
Lagan Valley DUP Westminster candidate Jeffrey Donaldson has claimed that his party is now the mainstream unionist party in Northern Ireland. Speaking on Wednesday, the former UUP member denied his party was “extremist”, as it has been labelled by UUP leader David Trimble.

Invest NI hold migrant employee seminar
Invest NI has held an awareness seminar in Co Tyrone for companies employing migrant workers. The event, which took place at Cohannon Inn & Autolodge, Dungannon, was part of Western Enterprise Week and focused on the Code of Practice for the employment of migrant workers.

Queen’s stage election prediction vote
A Queen's University researcher has launched an international competition to predict the outcome of the Westminster and local government elections on May 5. On that day Northern Ireland's 18 Westminster seats and the 582 seats on 26 district councils will all be up for grabs.

World record holder to run Belfast marathon
The man who holds the world record for the most marathons ever run is on his way to Northern Ireland for this year’s Belfast Marathon.

Government impose financial penalties on SF and PUP
The Government has confirmed that it is to impose a financial sanctions on Sinn Féin and the Progressive Unionist Party following the publication of the Independent Monitoring Commission (IMC) report on Tuesday.

Surprise talks postponement 'unacceptable' says Adams
Sinn Féin President, Gerry Adams has described the surprise decision by the British and Irish Government's to suspend planned political negations as "unacceptable".

Letter bombs sent to politicians
Two separate letter bombs have been sent to the offices of DUP deputy leader, Peter Robinson and SDLP policing spokesperson, Alex Attwood. The first device was discovered at the constituency office of Mr Robinson on the Belmont Road in east Belfast on Tuesday morning.

Good year for Tesco as profits top £1.6bn
It has been a good year for the supermarket retailer Tesco which has seen pre-tax profits soar to £1.6 billion, according to the group's full-year preliminary statement issued today. In addition to driving up pre-tax margins by 17.

B.I.C. Systems' project supports game course at NWIFHE
B.I.C. Systems, a leading technology solutions provider in Ireland and the UK, has completed a significant technology solutions project to support a new computer games technology course at the North West Institute of Further & Higher Education (NWIFHE).

Woman and child die in separate road accidents
Police are appealing for information after a woman and child died in two separate road accidents overnight. In Belcoo, Co Fermanagh, a three-year-old girl died after being hit by a car. The accident happened on the Railway Road at around 9.15pm on Monday.

Man jailed for throwing dog over wall
A man has been jailed for throwing a dog over a 25-ft high wall in Londonderry. Martin White, 19, of John Street in the city, was given a three month sentence after he was caught on CCTV cameras throwing a cocker spaniel over the city's walls and landing 25 feet below.

Funeral takes place of Blue Peter presenter
The funeral of former Blue Peter presenter Caron Keating has taken place in England today. The 41-year-old Northern Ireland born TV presenter died following a seven-year battle with cancer. Today's ceremony, which was an open funeral, took place Hever Church, in Edenbridge, Kent.

Asian group visits province on peace study
Lessons of Northern Ireland’s peace process could ease the road to stability in global trouble-spots, following a study visit to the University of Ulster’s Magee-based INCORE research institute by a group from south Asia.

£4.5m Queen's research centre 'tunes up' for opening
A major new Queen's University research centre which is helping Northern Ireland lead the world in the development of music technology will be officially opened on Wednesday. The £4.

NIE power energy revolution
Households in Northern Ireland could soon be part of an energy revolution through the development of Micro Combined Heat and Power (CHP) technology.

City Council unveils major recycling drive
Belfast City Council currently recycles around 4% of its waste compared to a European average of more than 50%.