Soldiers Murder Probed

Another man has been held by detectives investigating the Real IRA murders of two soldiers at an Antrim Army base in March. The man, aged 43, was arrested in west Belfast on Tuesday. He is also being questioned about the attempted murder of five people at Massereene Barracks. Meanwhile, the 22-year-old man questioned about the murder of Constable Stephen Carroll in Craigavon has been released. A report will be sent to the Public Prosecution Service.

False Alarm Sparks Raid

The police have raided a home in south Belfast after a call from a member of the public claiming that a man was in possession of what appeared to be a firearm. The alert centred on a terraced home in the Donnybrook Street area, off the Lisburn Road. Armed officers raided the property, however a spokesman for the PSNI confirmed that nothing suspicious was recovered and no arrests were made.

Local Firm Wins Fit-Out

A Co Fermanagh firm, McElwaine Electrical has secured a £250,000 major fit out and refurbishment contract with Starplan's Stores. Part of the McElwaine Group based in Lisnaskea, Co Fermanagh, McElwaine Electrical will begin work on Starplan Furnitures in Wednesbury Store in the West Midlands of England this week. Neil Jardine, Contracts Manager for McElwaine Electrical said: "This contract is testament to our quality and ability in the commercial field, McElwaine Electrical have carried out installations to all Starplan showrooms in Northern Ireland, and now we can offer the complete package to their UK stores, providing full CCTV, power, lighting PA Systems and all other electrical works."

Car Clocked

An Antrim car dealer was this week fined £2,000 plus court costs for selling a 'clocked' car. In a case brought by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment's Trading Standards Service, James Edward Barr, who traded as JB Cars, pleaded guilty to four charges under the Trade Descriptions Act 1968. The court heard how a Volkswagen Passat Estate had been advertised for sale in a trade magazine, as having a full service history. Jim Barr also told the purchaser that the vehicle had travelled 97,000 miles, but he discovered that it had travelled at least 128,000 miles. He reported the matter to the Trading Standards Service.

'Lost' Property Funds Charity

The NI Policing Board has announced the payment of just over £27,000 from the Police Property Fund to be distributed amongst 16 different charities. The Fund uses income generated from the sale of property and money received as a result of criminal investigations, where the owners have not been identified or the property has remained unclaimed. Policing Board Chairman, Barry Gilligan said: "The Board is pleased to be able to approve awards to these charities where the money can be used in a positive way to assist communities across Northern Ireland."

Murphy Heads To USA

NI Regional Development Minister, Conor Murphy is to address the Gateways to Tomorrow Boston-North West Ireland Conference this week in the USA. He will also be holding talks with a wide range of government, business, academic and community leaders in Boston and the surrounding area. The conference, organised by the Irish Echo newspaper, will bring together major figures from Ireland and America to focus on the investment and development potential of the North West of Ireland.

(BMcC/KMcA)