Cave Rescue Man Critical

A man who was rescued after becoming trapped in a cave is critically ill in hospital. Police, the ambulance service, the coastguard and a Royal Navy helicopter were all involved in the rescue operation at Whitehead as the victim was plucked by helicopter from the mouth of the cave which is just below Blackhead Lighthouse (pictured here by Brian McCalden) early on Monday morning from where he was transferred to hospital for urgent medical treatment.

Derry Pipe Bomb Explodes

Five children escaped injury after a pipe bomb exploded at their home in Londonderry in the early hours of this morning. Two adults were also unhurt after the device exploded at about 1.30am at Spruce Meadows in the Culmore area, causing "extensive damage" to a car and damage to the front of the house. Army technical officers examined the scene and removed the remains the device for further examination. A number of nearby houses were evacuated for a short time.

Deadly Road Toll Rises

A man has died following a crash involving motorcycles in Co Down. The crash on the Castlewellan Road, Banbridge, was on Sunday. Police said another motorcylist had been taken to hospital in a serious condition after the incident which happened at 1.30pm.

Runway Inquiry 'Truth Needed'

SDLP East Belfast Westminster Candidate Mary Muldoon has said the public inquiry into the planned runway extension at George Best Belfast City Airport must reveal the real views of the residents of East Belfast. "Local residents are concerned that any extension would increase noise pollution and traffic in the area and their concerns deserve to be heard. "My colleague, South Belfast MP Dr Alasdair McDonnell, has warned that there may be vested interests willing to pull out all the stops to try and force the extension through. Therefore, it is essential that the public inquiry takes into account the views of residents, who are justly concerned about potential the environmental and human impact of an extension to the runway," she said.

Bar Loses Planning Appeal

A Belfast bar has been ordered to remove awnings and canopies on the exterior of the building, Café Vaudeville in Arthur Street in the city centre which had appealed against a prior decision not to permit the awnings, the wooden fittings that house them, and seven window canopies. However, this appeal has now been rejected by the Planning Appeals Commission, which said the need to provide shelter to punters was outweighed by "loss of architectural integrity". The PAC dismissed this, however, saying the timber boxes were "over dominant". The listed building was formerly used as a bank before it was converted in 2005.

Raw Food Celebrated

Raw food - eaten fresh and organic - means none of the flavour, enzymes, minerals and vitamins are destroyed by heat. Now, with a little help and guidance from Barbara Faibish who gives raw food demonstrations from her home in Co Down, consumers can prepare tasty raw dishes in a fraction of the time it takes to cook. The demonstrations include a substantial lunch and recipes and useful information on how to get started with the next demonstration to be held at the Blaney Spa and Yoga Centre, Enniskillen, on Saturday 8th May, as part of a yoga weekend. See: www.blaneyspaandyogacentre.com

See:www.eatrawfeelgreat.co.uk/

UUP Comment ON DUP

Trevor Ringland, Conservatives and Unionists candidate for East Belfast has said that "the idea that a tiny bloc of 'ourselves alone' DUP MPs at Westminster can have more influence over Northern Ireland policy than Conservative and Unionist MPs operating within the mainstream is "laughable". He insisted that Conservative and Unionist MPs elected from Northern Ireland will be part of UK-wide pro-union party while the DUP will be a stand alone rump trying to sell themselves to the highest bidder. "Conservative and Unionist MPs from Northern Ireland will be eligible to serve as ministers in government; no DUP MP will ever be a minister in a Westminster government," he said. "We will bring out the best in all our people in NI for all, inside a United Kingdom for all, and we will work constructively with all those with whom share this island."

(BMcC/GK)