Other NI News In Brief

Train Takes Hospice Strain

Proving that Translink is just the ticket for the Northern Ireland Hospice Big Walk Week 2010 is Translink NI Railways Inspector Don Knock with Jan Harrison Fundraiser from Northern Ireland Hospice. Translink are offering 1,000 participants free return railway tickets to the North Down, Lagan Towpath and Carrickfergus charity walks on Saturday 17th April.

Police Saluted

The people of Northern Ireland should be proud of the men and women who serve in the PSNI, Secretary of State Shaun Woodward has said. He was speaking at a reception at Hillsborough Castle, jointly hosted by Chief Constable Matt Baggott, for serving and former police officers, their families and members of the wider police family. "People should be very proud of those who serve in the PSNI today while remembering the significant contribution made by colleagues in the RUC GC," he said.

Priest Probed

An Armagh parish priest has been asked to take a period of leave from his ministry due to concerns over child safety. Cardinal Sean Brady told the congregation about his decision after Vigil Mass on Saturday and said this is to allow the civil authorities, who have been informed, to investigate. The cardinal said the priest "continues to enjoy the right to the presumption of innocence". Last week, the Stormont Health Committee agreed the only way forward in pursuing the full extent of child sex abuse in NI is a public inquiry. It was responding to the NI Health Minister's options paper which discussed various ways of examining crimes against children.

Monkey Dealer Charged

A 28-year-old man has been charged with a number of offences in relation to trading in illegal species, namely Lemur Monkeys. These are in relation to fraud, animal welfare and dangerous wild animal offences. The man is expected to appear at Banbridge Magistrates' Court, sitting in Newry, on Thursday 22 April. This relates to the seizure in February of four Lemur Monkeys from commercial premises in Banbridge as part of an investigation a suspected breach of 'controlled trade in endangered species' legislation. As a result of a further search of commercial premises in Ballymena, a fifth Lemur Monkey was seized. See: Animal Action Praised

Bio-Energy Backs Bio Product

One of NI's most sophisticated yoghurt brands is now being produced using renewable energy. The factory which produces Clandeboye Estate Yoghurt, sold in over 50 stores across Northern Ireland, will now run on green energy following the signing of an energy supply contract with Energia. Food Business Manager for Clandeboye Estate Yoghurt, Bryan Boggs said: "The milk produced by the prize winning Holstein and Jersey cows owned by Lady Dufferin at the Clandeboye Estate Dairy means that ours is the only cow's milk yoghurt currently made in NI and we want to respect the countryside in which it is produced by using green energy so we didn't hesitate to sign up to this contract as Energia's green energy tariff, means we're making significant savings everyday on our electricity costs. As the company produces approximately 1million pots of yoghurt annually it's good to know that with this contract we're reducing the impact of our electricity usage on the environment."

Jug On The Way

The NI Social Development Minister, Margaret Ritchie, has today announced the commissioning of new public art, the 'Magic Jug', for Fountain Street in Belfast. It will stand five and a half metres tall, is based on an antique Irish water jug from around 1700, the time when George McCartney had Muny's well at Sandy Row diverted to supply water to the poor of Belfast at what is now called Fountain Street. The art sculpture is the final piece of the Belfast Streets Ahead regeneration project. Meanwhile, two new sculptures, reflecting the heritage and history of the Crumlin Road area, were also being unveiled this morning. See: Historic Sculptures Unveiled

(BMcC/GK)