Labour Leader Lands

Ed Miliband, Leader of the Labour Party, and Shaun Woodward MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, are pictured with Colin Elliott, Vice-President, Engineering and Business Development, Bombardier Aerospace, Belfast, during a visit to the company on Monday. They are shown viewing the demonstrator wing Bombardier has produced to test and prove out the advanced composites technology that will be used on the wing for the new Bombardier CSeries aircraft.

RIR To Parade Again

Despite republican protests at a previous parade in 2008, a homecoming march is to be held in Northern Ireland to mark the return of the Royal Irish Regiment (RIR) from Afghanistan. The Ministry of Defence has not confirmed where the parade will be held, but said it would take place towards the end of May. Yesterday, the DUP MP for South Antrim, Dr William McCrea MP recalled the second anniversary of the tragic RIRA murder of two young soldiers Sapper Mark Quinsey and Sapper Patrick Azimkar. "We as a people owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to the professionalism and sacrifice of our young servicemen and women who place their lives on the line in the theatre of conflict across the world to keep us free," he said. See: Parade Plan Heightens Tension As Executive Fails To Meet See: Sappers' Murders Commemorated

Stewart Sentencing Put-off

It will now be next Wednesday before the sentencing of Hazel Stewart, the 48-year-old Coleraine woman convicted of double murder, takes place. Stewart was convicted last week of murdering her husband Trevor Buchanan, 32, and Lesley Howell, 31, the wife of her former lover Colin Howell. She was given a life sentence and was to have heard on Friday what the minimum term would be. However, it was revealed in the High Court that she will now be sentenced on Wednesday 16 March.

Murphy Hails Extra Money

The NI Regional Development Minister Conor Murphy has welcomed an additional £107m allocation for regional development. "With a 40% reduction in the Executive's overall capital funding from Treasury over the budget period, I have continued to make the case for infrastructure and transport with the Executive. This additional funding will allow for the start of road improvements on the A6 and I believe the Dungiven Bypass will be the priority. Further improvements will also be made to the A32 and additional investment in water and sewerage infrastructure will be carried out. Funding has also been confirmed for new buses and Translink, protecting services," he said, noting that the additional funding will also allow the Rural Transport Fund, Transport Programme for People with Disabilities and Rathlin Ferry Subsidy to be protected.

Jackson Recalled

Next Tuesday (15 March) has been declared Andrew Jackson Day in Carrickfergus as the Borough prepares to step back in time to mark the birthday of the seventh President of the United States with a day of American and Ulster-Scots themed activities and entertainment. President Jackson's family lived in Boneybefore, just outside Carrickfergus, before they emigrated to Carolina where Andrew was born and from 2pm – 4pm on Andrew Jackson Day it will be all action at the atmospheric local Visitor Centre for a series of interpretive tours and re-enactments and the cottage will ring to the sounds of bluegrass music. From 6.pm – 8.30pm the free family entertainment will move to the Castle Green in the heart of Carrickfergus for live music from The Broken String Band and the Transatlantic Hillbilly Band plus themed arts and crafts activities for children and a finale fireworks display courtesy of the Army Benevolent Fund.

Jobs To Go In Kilkeel?

The DUP Assembly Member for South Down Jim Wells has said he has been disturbed to learn that the work force of Toughglass in Kilkeel have been put on 30-days protective notice. The company currently employs some 46 local people, all of whom are affected by the decision. "I hope that even at this late stage action can be taken to safeguard these jobs and protect our local economy," he said. "I have already been in contact with the company and will be meeting with management to see if there is anything that can be done to help."

(BMcC/KMcA)