EAG Meets

Members of the newly established Economic Advisory Group (EAG) have been meeting. Pictured, from left are Michael Ryan, Bombardier Aerospace; Kate Barker; Mark Nodder, Wright Group; Lorraine Hall, Kestrel Foods; Alan Armstrong, Almac and Stephen Kingon, from the Invest NI Board. They met NI Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster who said it had been set up following the recommendation from the Independent Review of Economic Policy, to create a focused group of experts, from economics and business. The group will provide independent advice aimed at challenging and developing public policy and strategic thinking on the economy. "It brings together some of the top minds in business, skills and economics to provide independent advice, aimed at challenging and developing public policy and strategic thinking on the Northern Ireland and UK economy," the Minister said, yesterday.

UVF Victim's Funeral Due

DUP MP for North Belfast, Nigel Dodds has said that people in the Shankill area should be allowed to attend a coming funeral "without fear". The DUP MP was responding to comments from church leaders who said local politicians need to do more to help the community over the coming days. Tensions have been rising since the murder of Bobby Moffett on Friday - a 43-year-old believed to have strong connections with the UVF - who was shot dead on the Shankill Road in Belfast by two masked gunmen. Reverend Jim Rea from the Methodist Church told the BBC that people are looking for leadership in advance of the victim's funeral service on Friday.

Poppy Day Montage Apology

An apology has been issued over the decision to remove a photographic tribute to those killed in the 1987 Enniskillen bombing. On Monday, the Northern Ireland Ombudsmen found the the Fire and Rescue Service was wrong to remove it from the town's fire station. The montage of photographs of victims of the IRA atrocity was taken down following a complaint in 2007. Acting Chief Fire Officer Louis Jones said he was sorry for any hurt caused and a statement from the Fire Service said it would consider the Ombudsman's report.

Knife Attack Accused Bailed

A Co Armagh woman who is facing a charge of attempted murder over an alleged attack in Lurgan has been allowed bail. Suna Capraz, 23, said she stabbed the man seven times because she thought she was about to be raped, but was yesterday granted bail by the High Court in Belfast. She said she lashed out with a knife in a bid to escape after being dragged into a house and pinned down. The judge said Ms Capraz, of Derry Street, must surrender her passport and stay out of Lurgan and Craigavon.

Sports For Young

A major sporting programme for young people has been launched at Shankill Leisure Centre by the outgoing Lord Mayor, Councillor Naomi Long and over 100 children from all over Belfast. The event also marked the official launch of the 'Our Space' programme led by Belfast Community Sports Development Network on behalf of Belfast City Council as part of the European Regional Development Fund's Peace III Programme 2007-2013. Cllr Long who stepped down as first citizen last night, said: "We are delighted that the Wildcats Programme is now running in Belfast. It provides tremendous opportunities for young people to come together through sport and to promote positive relations in the city."

Omagh Sewers Upgraded

Northern Ireland Water is scheduled to commence essential sewer replacement work in Omagh this week. This represents an investment of almost £2m by NI Water and involves the installation of sewers along Tamlaght Road, Clontarf Drive, Mullaghmena Park, Great Northern Road and also along agricultural land. The entire programme of work is scheduled to be completed by June 2011 and is being carried out by Farrans Constructions Ltd. It will improve the infrastructure in the area, reduce the risk of out of sewer flooding in the outskirts of Omagh town, meet Northern Ireland Environment Agency standards and enhance the sewerage system to meet future growth and demand in the area.

Street Booze Fines

Belfast City Council has taken two more successful prosecutions against people caught drinking in public. At Belfast Magistrates Court this week, Martin Smyth, of Upper Meadow Street, was fined £50 for an offence committed on the Cliftonville Road on 7 March this year. He also was ordered to pay £66 in costs. Paul McBride, of Marsden Terrace, was fined £60, plus £66 in costs, for a similar offence on the Antrim Road on 30 January 2010.

(BMcC/GK)