On this day in Northern Ireland news history

New On-The-Go Recycling Initiative Launches Across Belfast
Belfast City Council and environmental charity, Hubbub, have partnered for a new on-the-go recycling initiative across Belfast city centre, made possible with funding from The Coca-Cola Foundation. Bright colourful bins have been installed in Belfast city centre as well as a number of public parks.

Man Extradited To Germany To Serve 8 Year Prison Sentence
A man arrested by the PSNI's International Policing Unit in south Belfast on 10 November 2022, on an international arrest warrant has been extradited to Germany. The man, aged in his 30s, was sought for extradition to serve an eight-year prison sentence for serious sexual offences against children.

All-Island Rail Strategy Could Double Rail Use Across Ireland
The number of people using railways across the island of Ireland could double and rail journeys between some major cities could be halved, if the recommendations of the new All-Island Strategic Rail Review were implemented.

Airlines Responsible For Updating Travellers Amid Greece Wildfires
NI travellers impacted by the wildfires in Greece have been urged to keep in contact with their airline, as they are responsible for keeping passengers up-to-date on changes to travel arrangements.

PHA To Host Mpox Vaccination Programme At Belfast Pride
The Public Health Agency (PHA) has announced that it and its partners will be offering mpox vaccinations at this years Belfast Pride Festival.

Self Assessment Customers Urged To File Taxes Early
Urging self assessment customers to file their tax returns early, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has highlighted "four key benefits". The Self Assessment deadline for the 2022 to 2023 tax year is 31 January 2024.

CAFRE Launches New Introduction To Gamekeeping Course
A new Introduction to Gamekeeping course has been announced by the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE).

St George's To Host NI's First Young Traders Market
Belfast's historic St George's Market is set to host one of ten regional finals of a major nationwide campaign to encourage young retail entrepreneurs to set up market stalls. More than fifty 16 to 30-year-olds are set to take place in the event on Wednesday 03 August.

Four Men Arrested In Connection With £275,000 Drug Seizure
Four men have been arrested and suspected Class B illegal drugs worth and estimated £275,000 seized by the PSNI on Tuesday 26 July. Detective Inspector Kelly said: "Following searches of two vehicles and four properties across the Belfast and Lurgan areas, a number of items were seized.

Further Allegations Suspended PSNI Officer Shared Images Of Suicide
Sinn Féin have called for an urgent meeting with PSNI Chief Constable Simon Byrne over fresh allegations that a PSNI officer shared images from a police computer of a victim of suicide.

New 'Respect The Water' Campaign Launches
A new 'Respect The Water' campaign has been launched in response to the World Health Organisation's call to 'do one thing' to help prevent drowning.

Infrastructure Minister Visits Those Affected By Flooding
Infrastructure Minister John O'Dowd has met with residents and business owners affected by flooding in the North West.

Shots Fired At House In Craigavon
The PSNI have issued an appeal for information on a shooting incident in Craigavon on Tuesday night. According to reports, at around 11:15pm last night, two shots from a shotgun were fired at a house in the Meadowbrook area.

'Significant Improvement' In Processing Passengers At Dublin Airport
Dublin Airport Authority (daa) has reported "significant improvement" in processing passengers through security screening at Dublin Airport.

NI 'Lagging Behind' In EV Provisions
Northern Ireland is "still lagging behind" on the introduction of electric vehicle charging provision, Alliance MLA Andrew Muir has said. It has been revealed that the Department for Infrastructure (DFI) was still only engaging in discussions with other Departments on the issue.

Gilly Hicks Opens First Standalone Irish Store In Belfast
Gilly Hicks, a brand in the Abercrombie & Fitch Co., has announced the opening of its new store in Belfast's Victoria Square, the brands first standalone store in Ireland.

Flooding Causes Disruption On NI Roads
Motorists travelling on roads across Northern Ireland have been urged to be cautious as flooding causes disruption across the region. Last week's scorching weather has made way for thunderstorms and heavy showers, with hefty storms and flooding expected particularly throughout south-east Down.

Convicted Sex Offender Hands Himself In To Police
A convicted sex offender who was unlawfully at large in England has handed himself in to Northern Ireland police. PSNI appealed for help in finding Fermanagh man James Taggart last week, reporting he was seen recently in the Essex area.

Man Dies In Incident At Ballintoy Harbour
A man has died after getting into trouble while swimming at Ballintoy Harbour in County Antrim.

Brandon Lewis Urged To Withdraw Controversial Amnesty Proposals
Sinn Féin have called on the Secretary of State Brandon Lewis to withdraw controversial amnesty proposals and instead commit to implementing the Stormont House Agreement.

Belfast Lord Mayor Welcomes Progress On Avoniel Redevelopment
Belfast Lord Mayor, Councillor Kate Nicholl, has welcomed the progress being made on the £8 million redevelopment of Avoniel, which is due to reopen in October.

Over One Million People In NI Now Fully Vaccinated
More than one million people, some 70% of the adult population, across Northern Ireland have now received both doses of the Covid-19 vaccine and are now fully vaccinated.

Music Venues And Theatres To Reopen From 6pm Today
Music venues and theatres are allowed to re-open for live performances from 6pm today, Tuesday 27 July. After delaying the decision last Thursday in order to consider further advice from health and scientific advisers, the NI Executive took the decision on Monday night to further ease restrictions.

Lessons Learnt During Pandemic Can Help End Homelessness
An Alliance MLA has called on Northern Ireland to learn lessons from the response to the pandemic to help end homelessness across the region.

Glider Expansion Consultation Launched
A public consultation has been launched on the proposed emerging routes for Phase 2 of the Belfast Rapid Transit Project (BRT2) to help inform the identification of a preferred route in both South and North Belfast.

London-Based Consultancy GIA To Create New Belfast Office
London-based specialist multi-disciplinary surveying and design consultancy, GIA, is planning to create a new office base in Belfast. The move will create up to 16 new jobs, adding to the 150 staff employed by GIA across Manchester and London.

Men Arrested After Drugs Found At Carrickfergus Crash Site
Two men have been arrested for motoring and drug offences after a quantity of drugs were discovered following a road traffic collision in Carrickfergus. Police responded to reports of a collision on the Larne Road at around 1.15am this morning, 27 July.

Ministers Call For Immediate Release Of Jailed Grandmother
The jailing of a 59-year-old west Belfast woman for non-payment of her TV license has been described as "an appalling misuse of justice and tax payers money".

Pedestrian And Driver Hit By Car During Police Chase
Two people are being treated in hospital after being injured by a car involved in a police chase across Belfast. A female pedestrian was struck by a car as it was being pursued by police on Clifton Street in the north of Belfast at around 3.30pm on Thursday, 26 July.

Cannabis-Derived Medicinal Products To Be Available On Prescription
The UK's Home Secretary, Sajid Javid, has announced that cannabis-derived medicinal products are to be made available on prescription. The Home Secretary decided to reschedule the products after receiving advice from experts during the two-part review he commissioned on 19 June.

Man's Death In Newry Being Investigated As Murder
Detectives from PSNIs Serious Crime Branch have issued an appeal for witnesses following the murder of a 33-year-old man in Newry on Thursday 26 July.

2,144 People Seen In Neurology Patient Recall
The Department of Health and consultant neurologist Dr John Craig have presented an update to elected representatives on the recall of neurology patients by Belfast Health and Social Care Trust.

Cyclist Left With Life-Changing Injuries Following Collision
A 38-year-old cyclist has been left with "life-changing injuries" following a collision with a car during a time-trial race on the A26 Antrim to Ballymena road.

Emma Little-Pengelly Has 'Serious Concerns' Over Name Of Bus Stop
DUP MLA Emma Little-Pengelly has raised "serious concerns" over the naming of a new Belfast Rapid Transit bus stop in her constituency. The south Belfast MP has claimed a constituent contacted her over the naming of the stop on the Albertbridge Road as 'Short Strand'.

Record 19 Green Flag Awards Across Belfast
Belfast City Council have welcomed a record 19 Green Flag awards issued by environmental charity Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful. Belfast can now boast an additional two Green Flag parks with Connswater Community Greenway and Half Moon Lake joining the roll call for the first time.

Belfast City Council To Meet Over Contentious Bonfires
A special meeting of Belfast City Council to discuss the issue of contentious bonfires is set to take place on Wednesday, 02 August.

Funeral Held For Dean McIlwaine
The funeral for Dean McIlwaine has been held in Carnmoney. Mr McIlwaine (22) went missing on Thursday, 13 July and a number of large scale search operations were carried across the city. His body was found by searchers on Cavehill on Saturday, 22 July.

Record Number Of Belfast Parks Win Green Flag Award
A record number of parks in Belfast have been awarded the prestigious Green Flag Award this year, it has been announced. The Green Flag Award is an internationally recognised certification for environmental quality management of parks and open, green spaces.

Household Waste Accounted For Almost 90% Of All Waste Collection
Councils in Northern Ireland collected more than 225,000 tonnes of municipal waste in the first three months of 2017, according to the latest figures published today by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.

Beds Closed At Altnagelvin Area Hospital Amid Bug Outbreak
All non-urgent routine procedures have been cancelled at Altnagelvin Area Hospital in Londonderry in an effort to stop the spread of a vomiting bug.

Large Quantity Of Contraband Cigarettes And Tobacco Seized
Two men have been arrested in connection with the discovery of a large quantity of contraband cigarettes and tobacco in Belfast and North Down.

Appeal For Information Issued On Bonfire Night Assault
The PSNI in County Down have issued an appeal for information on the alleged assault of a woman in Killyleagh earlier this month.

QUB Researcher Discovers Way To Convert Used Tinfoil Into Fuel
A researcher at Queen's University Belfast has discovered a way to convert dirty aluminium foil into fuel. The breakthrough could help to solve global waste and energy problems.

LRA Announce Programme Of Events Focusing On Workplace Issues
The Labour Relations Agency (LRA) has announced a programme of events focusing on the many issues impacting on the workplace amongst employers and employees. The programme will be held between September to December this year, led by experienced Advisory Officers.

Man Found Dead In Co Down Named
A man found dead in "suspicious circumstances" in Co Down has been named as Mr Dessie Mee. The body of Mr Mee, aged 45, was discovered outside Millers House apartment block on Regent Street, Newtownards, just before 7.50pm on Tuesday, 26 July.

Circuit Of Ireland Rally Will Not Take Place Next Year
The Circuit of Ireland rally will not be taking place next year due to "funding uncertainty". Event Director, Bobby Willis, said the decision was the most difficult one he has ever had to make.

Planning Approved To Refurbish Former Linen Warehouse Into Offices
Planning permission has been approved to refurbish a former linen warehouse in Belfast city centre into offices.

Portstewart To Host 2017 Irish Open
The 2017 Irish Open is to be held in Portstewart, Co L'Derry. The event is to take place at Portstewart Golf Club from 06 - 09 July next year. DUP MP Gregory Campbell described the announcement as "fantastic news".

Pair Charged With Over 40 Offences In Connection With Robberies Across NI
Two men have been charged with several offences in connection with robberies across Northern Ireland. The suspects, aged 32 and 37, have been charged with over 40 offences each in relation to burglaries in Dungannon, Newcastle and west Belfast.

Staff Badly Shaken After Garage Robbed In Co Down
Staff have been left badly shaken following an armed robbery at a garage in Co Down. The incident happened on the Belfast Road in Dollingstown at around 4.45pm on Tuesday. Two robbers, one armed with a gun, entered the forecourt on a black motorbike.

Plans To Increase Tuition Fees Slammed
Plans to increase tuition fees in Northern Ireland to as much as £6,300 per year have been slammed by the SDLP. Education spokesperson Colin McGrath described the hike in fees as "outrageous and unacceptable".

Man Seriously Injured Following Attack In Belfast
Police are appealing for witnesses after a man was attacked in a car park in Belfast. The incident happened off Castle Street in Ballymoney on Sunday at around 1.30am. A 25 year-old-man is currently being treated in hospital with a serious head injury.

NI Women Urged To Take Folic Acid Daily
Women who are sexually active in Northern Ireland and who could become pregnant are being reminded of the need to take folic acid daily.

QMAC Construction To Develop New Offices In Cookstown
QMAC Construction has been awarded a contract to develop the new Rivers Agency's Headquarters in Cookstown. The firm will build the new modern offices for Rivers Agency at Loughry Campus Cookstown, Co Tyrone, which will accommodate up to 85 workstations.

Teenager Sexually Attacked In L'Derry
A teenager has been sexually attacked in L'Derry. The assault occurred in the St Columbs Park area on Friday at around midnight. A 17-year-old girl was approached by an unknown male and assaulted. He is described as being aged in his 30's.

Teen Injured In Scrambler Crash
A teenager has been seriously injured in a crash in west Belfast on Sunday. The incident occurred on the Glen Road on Sunday at around 5.40pm. A 15-year-old boy is being treated in hospital following the collision which involved two scrambler bikes.

Police Issue Photo Of Two Men Who May Have Witnessed Serious Crime
Police have issued a photo of two men who may have witnessed a serious crime in Portrush last August. The photo was taken in Kellys during the last week of August last year. Police believe the men may have witnessed a serious crime which took place a short time later outside the premises.

SF To Seek Support For A Resolution To Crisis Threatening Political Institutions
Sinn Féin MLA Martin McGuinness is in the United States today, 27 July, to seek support for a resolution to the crisis threatening the political institutions in Northern Ireland.

NIHE To Carry Out External Cyclical Maintenance Works
The Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) is to carry out External Cyclical Maintenance works in the Barrs Lane area in L'Derry. SDLP Cllr Shauna Cusack has welcomed the work, which is due to start in September.

Red Arrows Flypast Marks Start Of Olympics
The Red Arrows flew over Belfast at lunchtime today in a celebration to mark the start of the London Olympics. Earlier, the bells on Londonderry's two cathedrals and those at two venues in Belfast rang out in harmony.

Mourne Mountains Get £1.5m Heritage Cash Boost
The Mourne Mountains are to get a £1.5m boost in conservation funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Armed Groups Merge To Form 'New IRA'
Three of Northern Ireland's dissident republican groups are to come together calling themselves the IRA. A statement delivered to journalists in secrecy last night said there had been a failure among Irish nationalist leaders to remove the British presence from Northern Ireland.

Bankrupt Sean Quinn 'Scared Of Prison'
Bankrupt businessman Sean Quinn, whose son and nephew have been jailed, has admitted he is scared of being sent to prison.

Illegal Workers Detained In Coleraine Restaurant Raid
Two illegal workers have been detained during a UK Border Agency raid at a restaurant in Coleraine, the BBC has reported. The Pakistani men, aged 22 and 23, stayed in the UK illegally after their visas expired.

TUV Leader Accuses Sinn Fein Of Sectarian Discrimination
The leader of the Traditional Unionist Voice party has accused Sinn Fein ministers of discriminating against Protestants when appointing people to public office.

NI Minister Fires Warning Shots
The health minister, Edwin Poots, fired gunshots last night to warn off intruders to his home. Mr Poots shot from an upstairs window of his home near Lisburn, the DUP have confirmed. Police are investigating the incident, which happened at Gardeners Road in the early hours of June 6.

Recycling Plant Fire 'Biggest In Years'
A major fire in a clothes recycling plant outside Newry has been described as "one of the biggest incidents" the fire service has seen in years. The blaze, which at its peak last night had 115 firefighters and 23 fire engines working on it, is now under control.

Pensioner's Home Declared Unfit For Human Habitation
A pensioner in County Londonderry is still living without mains electricity three years after his home was declared unfit for human habitation, the Coleraine Chronicle has reported.

AIB Branches To Close Across Ireland And NI
Nearly 70 branches of Allied Irish Banks are to close in Northern Ireland and the Republic. The bank confirmed that 51 locations will shut up shop by the end of the year, with the remaining 16 closing in 2013.

Dervock Firm Expands Workforce
Ramage Contracts in Dervock, Ballymoney, is expanding its workforce to support an export sales drive. The business manufactures and erects buildings and livestock gates for the agricultural sector throughout Northern Ireland.

Woman Held In PC's Bomb Murder Probe
There has been a further arrest in the ongoing probe into a police officer's murder earlier this year. A woman has been detained in Omagh, as more searches are being carried out by police investigating the booby-trap bomb murder of Constable Ronan Kerr.

Fund For NI Superquinn Suppliers Revealed
Local suppliers to a major Irish supermarket chain have enjoyed high-level support from a Stormont Executive Minister. This afternoon, the NI Economy Minister Arlene Foster welcomed the creation of a €10m fund to pay suppliers to the bankrupt Irish supermarket group Superquinn.

Enniskillen House Fire Bombed
A petrol bomb has been thrown at a house in the Drumbeg area of Enniskillen. A window at the back of the house was damaged while paint was thrown at the front of the building around 2.20am this morning.

Road Block On Enniskillen Bypass Project
The NI Transport Minister Danny Kennedy has admitted his Department does not have the money to build the A4 bypass, despite plans being open for public consultation until the end of August.

NI's Economic Growth 'Struggling'
Although the UK economy grew by 0.2% overall, according to GDP figures released on Tuesday, it has proved to be a mixed return for Northern Ireland.

PR Agency 'Wins MTV Awards'
Northern Ireland public relations agency Smarts has been selected to handle the Ireland-wide public relations strategy for the upcoming MTV European Music Awards (EMAs) in Belfast.

Pig Sector Needs 'Equal Footing With EC'
An influential report on pork production in Europe - published last week by a firm that provides financial services primarily on the agribusiness sector internationally, RaboBank - has highlighted the challenges, which must be overcome to allow the pig sector to prosper in Northern Ireland.

Belfast Has Got The Blues Festival
The Belfast Blues festival returns to Belfast this August for its third outing, featuring the much-loved journeyman Sherman Robertson.

NI's Economic Growth 'Struggling'
Although the UK economy grew by 0.2% overall, according to GDP figures released on Tuesday, it has proved to be a mixed return for Northern Ireland.

Community Fire Station Planned For Omagh
The public's views are being sought on a proposal to build a new integrated Community Fire Station and District Headquarters for the people of Omagh.

Fare Increases For 'Profitable Ryanair'
The Irish 'budget airline' Ryanair has reported a jump in first quarter profits and passenger numbers. However, it still aims to push up fares, which the firm said would rise by an average of up to 12% in the year to the end of March 2012 as fuel prices rise.

€3m Housing Development In Dublin Approved
Permission has been approved by Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council for the demolition of existing dwellings and the construction of 21 houses in four three-storey blocks.

Work Underway On €19m Galway Sports Facility
Galway-based contractors, JJ Rhatigan & Company is expected to commence construction work imminently on a new €19 million sports facility at the Athlone Institute of Technology in Westmeath.

SF First Minister If 'Will Of People': Paisley
The seminal former DUP leader Ian Paisley - now Lord Bannside - has said he believed the creation of a single united unionist party is a "non-runner".

BP Suffers Massive Losses
Oil giant, BP has announced record losses of £11 billion for the second quarter of the year and also announced that Chief Executive Tony Hayward will step down.

Integrated College Welcomes £8.5M Project
A major school construction scheme is to get underway shortly on the outskirts of east Belfast.

Opera House Seeks Staffing Cutbacks
Cost cutting has reached the arts world with Belfast's iconic Grand Opera House now having to look at cost savings. The Opera House Trust that manages the Victorian theatre in central Belfast has approved plans for a staff reorganisation following recommendations from its own executive team.

Dublin Pub Gun Victim Remains Critical
One of the men injured in a shooting incident linked to the IRA outside a pub in Fairview in Dublin yesterday morning is still in a critical condition in Beaumont Hospital. A second man, who was also shot in the incident, is in a critical but stable condition at the Mater Hospital.

Firms Struggle To Make Rate Payments
Rates arrears in Northern Ireland have soared to a record £157m, according to Land & Property Services (LPS). The uncollected debt has risen by £19m from £138m in 2009 with nearly two-thirds of the arrears owed by non-domestic ratepayers.

Belfast 'Pipes up' For Championships
Bands are travelling from all over Europe to take part in one of the highlights of the pipe band calendar this weekend with Belfast hosting the prestigious European Championships.

NI Ready For Olympic Gold
With just two years to run until the flame is lit, NI Sports Minister Nelson McCausland today highlighted the many opportunities that are to flow for NI ahead of the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Tree Company 'Branches Out'
A Co Antrim company has developed a unique portable sawmill that should generate significant export sales over the next few years. M.

'Deep Regret' Over NI Checkpoint Death
The British government has expressed its "deep regret" at the death of Aiden McAnespie, who was shot at an army checkpoint in Co Tyrone, 21 years ago. Mr McAnespie, 24, was shot by a soldier as he walked through a border checkpoint at Aughnacloy in February 1998.

Tamiflu Prescribed For First Time
An antiviral drug is now being dispensed in NI for the first time. As more people are falling ill with suspected swine flu, Tamiflu is going to patients who present with symptoms.

'Equality' Challenge From DUP Leader
NI's most senior politician has continued his criticism of the Equality Commission and challenged the Secretary of State to rectify its "unrepresentative" nature.

Ryanair Nets Profit
Rising passenger numbers and lower fuel prices helped Ryanair to make a €136.5m (£118m) net profit between April and June, up from €21m last year. The budget carrier saw an 11% growth in passenger numbers from the same period a year earlier - though revenues fell.

Goggins To Discuss 'Under Attack' Halls
A DUP delegation will meet with the direct rule security minister later today to discuss a spate of recent sectarian attacks on Orange Halls. Paul Goggins is expected to hear about particular acts of vandalism in Rasharkin and Dunloy, both of which are in the north Co Antrim area.

Appeal Over Down Cash-Transit Robbery
Detectives in Downpatrick have appealed for information following the robbery of a cash in transit van in the Bath Street area of Ardglass at the weekend. At around 1.

Republic-based Visitor Numbers Rising
The latest visitor numbers from the Republic of Ireland to NI have significantly exceeded expectations.

Cuts To Soldiers' Compensation Slammed
There has been a call to think again on a controversial bid by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to reduce compensation awarded to injured soldiers. Stormont Junior Minister Robin Newton - who is an East Belfast DUP MLA - has described the actions of the Government as "weak-willed".

Ryanair Nets Profit
Rising passenger numbers and lower fuel prices helped Ryanair to make a €136.5m (£118m) net profit between April and June, up from €21m last year. The budget carrier saw an 11% growth in passenger numbers from the same period a year earlier - though revenues fell.

Beggs Blasts Planning For Floods
The Ulster Unionist spokesman on the environment, Roy Beggs has welcomed the launch of the Northern Ireland Environment Agency's 'Managing Stormwater' document.

Post Office staff to stage walkout
Further postal strikes will continue today with the expected half-day strike of counter staff at nine post offices. The nine post offices affected are in Newtownards, Bangor, Antrim, Coleraine, Londonderry, Lisburn and two in Belfast.

19-year-old woman rescued from Newry fire
Firefighters have rescued a 19-year-old woman from a fire at a ground floor flat in Newry, County Down. A number of people, who were on the ground floor of the building at Cleary Crescent at the time of the blaze, had escaped but firefighters wearing breathing apparatus had to rescue the woman.

NI quashed conviction rates highest in UK
The level of quashed criminal convictions is higher in Northern Ireland than anywhere else in the UK. A report by officials examining possible miscarriages of justice said that a greater percentage of cases were also referred to the Court of Appeal last year.

Housing Executive pays out £140m to landlords
The Housing Executive has announced that Landlords in Northern Ireland are receiving £140m a year from housing benefits. The Housing Executive is using privately rented property more frequently due to a shortage of social housing.

Parades restricted in Downpatrick
A loyalist parade has been banned from entering the predominantly nationalist town of Downpatrick in County Down. The proposed march on 6th August 2007 by the Red Hand Defenders has had conditions imposed by the Parades Commission this morning.

Diver airlifted to Isle of Man hospital
A 50-year-old diver has been airlifted to Noble’s Hospital on the Isle of Man after he got into trouble at Guns Island off Ballyhornan, County Down. The diver was at a depth of 16m when he had to surface too quickly, although the reason for the diver’s emergency call is still unspecified.

NI Recompression Chamber still unopened
The only NHS recompression chamber in Northern Ireland, installed at the end of last year, has still to be opened. A 50-year-old diver had to be flown to the Isle of Man following an accident in County Down because the recompression facility at Craigavon was unavailable.

Polish Film Festival comes to Belfast
Northern Ireland’s first ever ‘Polish Film Festival’ will take place this week at Queen’s Film Theatre in Belfast as part of Polish Cultural Week.

Post Office robbed in County Antrim
Police in County Antrim are appealing for information following a robbery at a sub post office near Ballymoney. The incident happened at Killan's sub-post Office at Bendooragh Road, at around 10.30am this morning.

RIR soldiers to be sent to Afghanistan
Around 60 Royal Irish Regiment soldiers are to be sent to Afghanistan as part of military reinforcements tasked to the region.

Attempted abduction in County Tyrone
Detectives in County Tyrone are appealing for information, following an attempted abduction of a baby yesterday morning. Just before 11am, a woman called to the family's home in the Westland Road South area of Cookstown, claiming to be a health visitor.

Four arrested over Derry barbecue attack
Four people have been arrested in Londonderry as part of police investigations into an attack in which a man was seriously injured.

Exclusion zone placed around whale
Police have set a 300m exclusion zone around a whale which has been stranded in Larne Lough in County Antrim for the past three days. A spokesperson for the PSNI today said that any vessel venturing into the restricted area would be committing an offence, which would be brought to police attention.

DUP and Education Minister discuss SEELB situation
A DUP delegation comprised of Iris Robinson, Peter Robinson, Edwin Poots, Peter Weir and Cllr Jimmy Spratt, have today met with Education Minister Maria Eagle to discuss issues relating to the removal of functions from the South Eastern Education and Library Board (SEELB) and its replacement by Mins

Security alert in west Belfast
A security alert is ongoing in west Belfast after a suspicious device was found in the area. Army Technical Officers have been tasked to the North Howard street area of the city, and are currently examining the suspicious object which was found just before lunchtime today.

Police return to Garnerville College after gas alert
Officers and staff at the Garnerville Police Training College in east Belfast have been allowed to return to the building. The premises was evacuated just before 12pm today, following reports of a suspected gas leak.

Suspected arson attack on petrol station
Police are treating an overnight fire at a petrol station in south Belfast, as malicious. The Fire and Rescue services and the PSNI were alerted to the blaze at the BP garage on the Ravenhill Road area of the city at around 3.30am.

Report reveals new house price rises
The Northern Ireland Housing Bulletin published today by the Department for Social Development has revealed an average 12.3% rise for new house prices. The report included the sale figures of new houses and apartments being built in Northern Ireland during the period of January to March 2006.

Families escape injury in separate loyalist attacks
Police are blaming loyalists for two separate attacks in Co Antrim overnight in which two families narrowly escaped injury. In the first incident, a family of four escaped injury in a gun attack on their home in Newtownabbey.

Antrim flat damaged in bomb attack
Detectives in Antrim are investigating an attack on a flat during the early hours of Tuesday. At about 5.30am a device exploded at the front of a ground floor flat at Moss Drive.

Viagra-type drugs seized in Belfast raid
A major haul of almost 10,000 Viagra-type drugs have been seized in north Belfast today. The ‘Vigora’ tablets, which have a street value of around £50,000, were seized as part of a joint operation between Medicine Enforcement Officers from the Department of Health and the PSNI.

Cross border co-operation to combat crime
A new agreement to close the door on cross border crime such as sex offences and drug abuse has been signed in Belfast.

New financial services centre bound for Belfast
Over 40 jobs are to be created in Belfast after Grafton Recruitment confirmed the city as its location for a new financial shared services centre.

London bombings could affect Belfast retail trade - UU academic
The London bombings could have a disastrous effect on the retail trade across the UK including Belfast, a leading academic has claimed.

Positive 'New Deal' report welcomed by Minister
A programme encouraging unemployed people here to consider self-employment has been most successful according to a report published today. The New Deal Self-employment route was initially introduced by the Department for Employment and Learning in 1998.

Sunblest bakery smashes current ‘hot cross’ record
Sunblest bakers at Allied Bakeries Ireland in Belfast have been recognised by the Guinness Book of World Records for baking the world’s largest ever hot cross bun. The bakery, which produces over 1.

Gardai arrest man following Belfast murder
Gardai have arrested a man whom PSNI want to question in relation to the murder of a woman in Belfast last week. Thomas Graham, 42, from Northern Ireland, was arrested in the Belturbet area of Co Cavan last night by members of the Republic's National Bureau of Criminal Investigation.

Funeral takes place of leading republican
The funeral of veteran Irish republican Joe Cahill has taken place in Belfast today. The 84-year-old, who died on Friday following a short illness, was buried in Milltown Cemetery following his funeral Mass in St John's Church on the Falls Road.

MRSA in 30 NI patient related deaths
New figures have revealed that MRSA superbugs contributed to the deaths of 30 patients in Northern Ireland hospitals last year.

Family escape injury in gun attack
Police are appealing for information after a couple and their two children escaped injury in a gun attack in Co Antrim early this morning. The family were in their house at Ballymacrea Road, Portrush, when a gang tried to force their way in through the front door shortly after midnight.

West Nile Virus detected in Republic
Two cases of West Nile Virus infection have been confirmed in Ireland, it has been revealed. The virus, which usually causes mild symptoms such as fever or skin rashes but can be deadly, is believed to have been contracted by patients who had recently visited the Algarve in Portugal.

BMA warns of sex health 'crisis' as infection rates rise
The British Medical Association (BMA) has claimed that Britain's sexual health is now at crisis point after official figures revealed that diagnoses of infections had risen by 4%.

Textiles firm secures contracts worth £5m
A Magheralin-based supplier and manufacturer of design-led bed-linen has finalised new business deals worth over £5 million, it was revealed today.

Minister opens £6 million dual carriageway
Minister of State, John Spellar, has opened a new £6 million section of dual carriageway in Co Antrim today. The carriageway, between Doagh Road and Coleman’s Corner on the A8 Belfast to Larne Road, is part of a package of improvements for the Belfast to Larne Road, valued at £13.3 million.

Overseas students arrive in NI
Around 70 overseas students have arrived in Northern Ireland as part of the International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience (IAESTE) Programme.

Trading Standards issue dry cleaning advice
The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment’s Trading Standards Service has issued advice to consumers and proprietors to help raise standards regarding dry cleaning services.

Minister outlines benefits of a unified consumer strategy
Sir Reg Empey, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment has described the promotion of a confident, well informed consumer as good for business.

Belfast morning newspaper’s future unclear
Directors at the News Letter have neither confirmed nor denied that their owner, Trinity Mirror, is looking for a buyer for the Belfast regional morning paper.

'Golden Bear' makes solid Senior Open start
Jack Nicklaus has made a solid start to the opening round of the British Senior Open at Royal County Down with a one-under-par 70. The 61-year-old started his first ever round in this championship with an eagle three on the 502-yard par-five first hole.

Government launches sexual health strategy
The much-awaited National Strategy for Sexual Health has been unveiled by the government and contains a key strategy to test much more widely for sexually transmitted infections.

Two men remanded on charges of dissident activity
Two Belfast men have been remanded in custody charged with blackmail and fundraising for terrorism.

Executive statement addresses the need to curb social unrest
Proposals from the Minister for Finance and Personnel regarding the allocation of additional resources agreed during the June financial monitoring round have been revealed.

Doctors call on public to get tetanus jab
Doctors in Northern Ireland are calling on local people to renew or obtain a tetanus inoculation after the province’s first recorded death from the disease since 1993. The 71-year-old man developed tetanus in May after falling in a farmyard and injured his elbow.

Road maintenance budget receives funding boost
The Department of Regional Development (DRD) Roads Service has welcomed the announcement by the Northern Ireland Executive that an additional £4 million is to be allocated to the roads maintenance budget.

Premiers announce finishing touches to proposals package
According to the British Prime Minister and Irish Taoiseach the proposals package is complete.

O’Briens sandwiches poised to eat into Northern market
A Dublin-based sandwich franchise has announced plans to open 20 outlets throughout the province, in a move that will create up to 200 news jobs over the next five years.

Fresh violence erupts in north Belfast
Three police officers have been injured during fresh clashes between republicans and loyalists in the Ardoyne area of north Belfast.

Mexico win Elite Milk Cup Trophy
The Mexican team has won the Elite Milk Cup Trophy after beating Scotland 4-3 in a penalty shootout at the Coleraine Showground’s on Thursday evening.

Empey launches ‘learning for business’ courses
Sir Reg Empey, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment, has announced that “help is now on hand” for small and micro businesses through the learndirect 'learning for business' courses, which are being piloted at the Acorn Business Centre in Ballymoney.

Beveridge Engineering unveil new Coleraine premises
Sir Reg Empey, Minister for Enterprise Trade and Investment, has officially opened the new 18,000 sq ft premises of LEDU client company R. Beveridge Engineering Ltd. in Coleraine. Based at Wattstown Business Park on the outskirts of the town, R.

UK economic growth falls to lowest rate
Business analysts have revealed that UK economic growth has fallen to its lowest rate in more than two years.

Road safety message is shown to hit home
A new survey shows that the current ‘road safety’ message may be beginning to hit home, following a week of traffic accident tragedies - particularly in the Republic of Ireland where 21 people have perished in road accidents during the last week alone.

ICI report robust performance despite difficult market
ICI has posted a small drop in interim pre-tax profits, which it describes as a strong performance in difficult conditions. The chemicals company says it has been hit by the US industrial slowdown, while the sharp fall in demand from the electronics industry has made things worse.

Troubled car dealer loses 44 staff
Beleaguered Dencourt Motors, previously ranked as one of the province’s top ten car dealerships, have announced that they are to lose half of their workforce.