Other NI News In Brief

Lifer Returns

Jonathan Peter Neill, 34, a life sentence prisoner who absconded on 16 November while living in the community as part of his pre-release programme, has this afternoon voluntarily handed himself into the custody of the NI Prison Service. He will now be housed in Maghaberry Prison. He was jailed for the 1991 murder of a lodger at his family home in London. Neill was 16 at the time he stabbed Donald McKenzie 24 times while he was asleep in bed. After the brutal attack, Neill carved 666 into the dead man's back. Prison officials recently believed Neill had made enough progress to be granted time at a hostel. See: Murderer Goes On-The-Run

HandyVan Expands

The HandyVan scheme, which installs security equipment and delivers practical safety advice to older people, is to be extended and rolled out across Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland Office (NIO) Minister Paul Goggins MP has announced. The Safer Ageing Strategy, which has been developed in partnership between the NIO and representatives from older people's groups, is also seeking a report on proposals for alarms to be made available in the homes of all older people. Paul Goggins said: "The Safer Ageing strategy sets out steps that the government will take, in partnership with the PSNI and others to help older people feel safe in the communities in which they live. Older people deserve to enjoy life free from crime and the fear of crime. We are determined to do everything we can to make older people feel safer and that is why I am announcing the roll out of the HandyVan scheme," noting that extending this scheme underlines the commitment to make older people safer in their homes.

Ethical Land Use Recognised

Newry-based entrepreneur Dr Gerard O'Hare has been recognised for his commitment to the ethical practice of land use by Lambda Alpha International. The Honorary Society for the Advancement of Land Economics awarded the 2009 International Urban Affairs Award to Dr O'Hare, Managing Director of Parkergreen International. The award, presented every two years, was made in recognition of his efforts at economic development and urban regeneration in Northern Ireland as well as championing sustainable mixed-use urban development in Europe and the US. Dr O'Hare shared the award with Valerie Jarrett, one of President Barack Obama's closest aides.

Aussie Cafe On Way

Espresso Elements, an Australian-based coffee house, has chosen south Belfast's Lisburn Road to open its first outlet outside its home country. It has invested £200,000 and created 10 new jobs. The franchise for Northern Ireland has been bought by former accountants and coffee lovers Kevin and Frances Johnston following a period of travelling in the antipodes. They plan to open five new units in the NI over the next three years.

SDLP Urges Safer Roads

Foyle MLA Pat Ramsey has urged people to take heed of road safety during this Road Safety Week and in the run-up to Christmas. Mr Ramsey, who is the SDLP Chair of the Stormont All-Party Group on Road Safety, said: "This is a very important week to keep road safety to the forefront of people's minds especially as we approach the Christmas holidays. Unfortunately, as we're all too aware the Christmas period is a dangerous time on our roads when the variables of bad weather and alcohol can add to an already worrying road death rate in the north. Of course, alcohol is not the only danger at Christmas, with an increasing amount of people drug-driving and driving long distances over the holiday period, tiredness can set in. I would urge everybody to take part in Road Safety Week to see how you can do a little to protect yourself, your family and other members of the public."

Personnel Map On Way

DMS Personnel Consultants, NI's only Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) approved local Professional Assessment Centre, is the first organisation in Northern Ireland to introduce the CIPD's radical new HR Profession Map. The HR Profession Map is a dynamic diagnostic tool that will help local human resource practitioners plan their own careers and their organisation's overall development. The announcement took place as DMS celebrated the learning and development achievements of over 100 local HR professionals at its annual Awards in Belfast. Ten professional areas and four bands of professional competences have been defined and these aspects coupled with an exploration of underpinning skills, behaviour and knowledge provide a clear and flexible framework for determining career progression.

(BMcC/KMcA)