Other NI News In Brief

Kesh Is Top NI Village

The NI Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster has congratulated the business community in Kesh, Co Fermanagh after the village was named winner of the Business category in this year's Calor Village of the Year awards. The Minister is pictured in rural Kesh with Sharon Loane, Chairman of Kesh Development Association. The loughside village beat off stiff competition from 10 other rivals to win the coveted title.

Line Closed In Alert

The main railway line between Portadown and Lisburn has been closed due to a security alert with several homes also being evacuated after a suspicious object was found under a bridge on the Tullydagon Road.As the Army bomb squad examined the scene, Translink said a bus substitution will operate instead.

Taxi Crash Arrests

Two men aged 21 and 27-years-of-age have been arrested on suspicion of motoring offences after part of the Andersonstown Road in west Belfast was blocked by an accident yesterday afternoon. Nine people were injured after a car being followed by police collided with a taxi, but none of those hurt in the crash are thought to have life-threatening injuries.

BBC Celebrates 'Connections'

Stormont Culture Minister Nelson has helped to open 'Making Connections: A Festival of Radio' at BBC's Blackstaff studios in Belfast. The Festival is open to the public and celebrates the ways in which radio connects people and ideas. It includes exhibitions and live radio programming from BBC Northern Ireland and network services and RTE. It is linked to the European Broadcasting Union's (EBU) Digital Radio Conference, which is being hosted in Belfast by BBC Northern Ireland and RTE. The conference involves over 100 delegates from across Europe and beyond in a series of discussions about the development of digital radio. The Minister added: "In our rapidly developing digital world, radio continues to break new technological frontiers. The technology breakthroughs, the digital content, the new programming and talent inspired by radio makes this sector a key part of our growing creative industries."

Directors Barred

The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETI) has accepted disqualification undertakings for nine years from Caroline Ayton of Donnybrewer Road, Campsie, Eglinton, Londonderry and four years from Johanne Patricia Ferguson of Millgrove Park, Eglinton, Londonderry in respect of their conduct as directors of Beige Game Trading Limited. The Company carried on the business of a hotel trading as the Waterfoot Hotel and Country Club from premises at 14 Clooney Road, Londonderry, and went into liquidation on 17 January 2008 with estimated assets of nil, liabilities of £293,606 to non preferential creditors, and an estimated deficiency as regards creditors of £293,606. After taking into account the losses incurred by members (shareholders, including the directors) of the company the total estimated deficiency was £397,006.

Legendary Horse Trainer Dies

The Irish horse trainer Paddy Mullins has died, aged 91. Mr Mullins, who enjoyed a career spanning 52 years, passed away peacefully at 7am yesterday morning. As the father of current trainers Tom, Willie and Tony Mullins, he enjoyed huge success on the Flat and over jumps, tasting Classic glory with Vintage Tipple in the 2003 Irish Oaks. He also saddled Hurry Harriet to win the 1973 Champion Stakes at Newmarket.

(BMcC/GK)