Wilson Reselected

Sitting MP, Sammy Wilson (pictured) has been reselected by the East Antrim Association of the DUP to fight the next Westminster election as their candidate. Local party members unanimously supported Mr Wilson at a recent meeting in Larne. Following the selection, Sammy Wilson said: "I am grateful to the voters in East Antrim for having given me the opportunity to serve as their Member of Parliament for the last five years and if they allow, I look forward to serving them for another five. In Parliament, the DUP has ensured that the people of Northern Ireland are represented, and I have a proud record of speaking up on the issues that are of importance to my constituents in Carrick, Larne and Newtownabbey," he said.

Flat Fall Murder Case

A Belfast man, Mark Keenan, 26, from Hallidays Road, has appeared in court charged with murdering a teenager who fell to his death from a balcony in Belfast. He was accused of murdering James Murray early on Saturday morning after the 19-year-old fell nine stories from a communal balcony to a courtyard at an apartment block at Kings Street. Keenan was remanded in custody for one week. The teenaged victim lived at Glendowan Grove in the Lagmore area of west Belfast. Mr Murray had grown up in Dublin, but came to Belfast in September to live with his natural father and partner. See: Belfast Murder Victim 'From Dublin'

Caveat Emptor

Trading Standards officers are warning retailers engaged in selling counterfeit goods to stop now or face prosecution. The zero tolerance message follows operations in Northern Ireland in the last month by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment's Trading Standards Service which resulted in a number of seizures of counterfeit goods. Various items, including fakes of popular brands such as GHD hair straighteners, UGG boots, MAC make-up, Gucci, Pandora and Tiffany jewellery as well as sports clothing, were removed from retail premises by TSS officers. It is estimated that the seized goods have a street value of more than £10,000. The Trading Standards Service is also warning consumers to be on their guard against buying fake goods.

Youth Unemployment In Focus

Sinn Féin MLA and Assembly Chair of the Committee for Employment and Learning Sue Ramsay, has welcomed the passing of the motion seeking to highlight the need to address the problem of young people who are 'Not In Education, Employment or Training' (NEET) and has urged the Executive to develop a strategy to meet this challenge head on. "I would not under-estimate the nature of this problem nor the scale of the task in beginning to address it. It is crucial that the Minister is supported across his Executive colleagues in developing a strategy, as a matter of urgency," she said.

Auction House Opens

A new state-of-the-art auction house has been opened in Dromore, Co Tyrone, creating ten jobs. Euro Auctions, a specialist in the sale of heavy plant and machinery, now boasts 18,000 square feet of new offices and a 10,000 square foot seated auditorium. The purpose built auction arena is part of a £1.5m investment by the firm, and has integrated hi-tech sound and vision systems. NI Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster said the investment reflects a confidence in further business growth through targeted export sales. "Euro Auctions has been supported by several Invest NI initiatives that have provided advice and practical help in areas including trade, e-business, training, design and management," said the Minister. "These have helped the company to develop a successful business model, maximise its competitiveness and grow its business globally," she said, noting that Euro Auctions employs 34 staff and does 90% of its business with customers outside Northern Ireland.

Ballinderry Water Plant Opens

A new £1.25m wastewater treatment works, situated in Lower Ballinderry, has been officially launched by Northern Ireland Water. NI Water Project Manager, David Knight said the new works will provide an enhanced quality of service for customers in the wider Lisburn area.

"We were keen to develop a site that would improve wastewater facilities, improve river water quality and meet environmental compliance standards," he said. Lisburn Mayor Allan Ewart said it is encouraging to see the investment NI Water has put into the local system in the Lower Ballinderry area: "This new works will accommodate new development in the area and serve the local population well into the 21st century."

(BMcC/KMcA)