Holywood Hit & Run

An appeal has gone out for help after a 49-year-old woman suffered serious head injuries following a hit and run collision in Co Down. It happened at Holywood Golf Club where Julie-Ann Alexander spent Sunday evening watching Rory McIlroy's challenge at the US masters. When she left, at just after 1am on Monday, she was hit by a vehicle in a car park. Her brother, Raymond Alexander said his sister has a fractured skull and bleeding on the brain. Police have appealed for help in tracing the car involved, which they believe was grey in colour with Co Monaghan number plates.

Farm Thefts Highlighted

Danny Kinahan, an Ulster Unionist MLA candidate, has warned of spate of farm machinery thefts in the south Antrim area. He said that he has been inundated by queries from local farmers who have experienced the theft of costly and essential farm equipment recently. He called on the police to raise awareness of the issue and encouraged local farmers to co-operate with one another and remain vigilant and noted that all information should be passed to the PSNI as soon as possible. "As agriculture is such a key part of our local economy," he said, "we should establish a dedicated Province-wide contact point which can co-ordinate a regional response to the alarming increase in this type of theft."

Orange Hall Attacked

North Belfast DUP MP Nigel Dodds has condemned those responsible for last night's fire at Ligoniel Orange Hall on the Crumlin Road, which the PSNI are treating as deliberate. "The Hall was badly damaged by an arson attack over 10 years ago and it is despicable that the building has been targeted once again. This is an attack on Orange culture," he said, noting this latest incident comes the day after the discovery of the remains of a petrol bomb attack upon the new premises of the Boys' Model School also in Ballysillan.

Lurgan Alert Over

A security alert in Lurgan has been declared a hoax. The Army's bomb squad carried out a controlled explosion on a suspicious object found outside the gates of a school on Francis Street. Meanwhile, an overnight bomb alert in Belfast city centre also ended after College Square East was closed for a time while police examined a suspicious object. The scare ended shortly after 7pm and nothing suspicious was found.

Kingspan Appoints Technical Engineer

A Portadown-based building products business has announced a key appointment. Kingspan Renewables has appointed David Cregg as a Technical Sales Engineer. David's role includes dealing with specifiers in Consultant Engineering Companies, across the whole of Ireland. He is responsible for ensuring that Kingspan Renewables is either specified and/or nominated for commercial contracts. He will also liaise with the mechanical and electrical companies on commercial installations. David's also responsible for the planning and execution of training courses for the commercial installers and dealing with the existing network of Kingspan merchants and distributors. He has a B.Sc in Renewable and Electrical Energy Systems and is currently studying part time for a Degree in Sustainable Energy Management. Prior to his four years experience in the Renewable Energy Sector, he worked in France for a year with a telecommunications company called Syselog, developing training courses and the testing of fibre optic lines. David also spent five years with Alphyra, Europe's largest EFT provider before moving to Cork to take up a technical sales role.

Fraud Man Found Out

A man was convicted at Antrim Crown Court this week for claiming benefits he was not entitled to. Jason Stirling, 41, of Ballyhill Lane, Crumlin was given 60 hours community service for failure to declare capital while claiming Job Seekers Allowance, Income Support and Housing Benefit totalling £33,941. Stirling is also required to repay any outstanding money wrongfully obtained to the Social Security Agency.

Culloden Puts Arts On Show

A sculpture festival is to take place in the grounds of NI's best-known hotels. The Culloden will be partnering with Gormley's Fine Art to support both established and emerging artists for the exhibition, which will take place from 7th - 22nd May with 120 sculptures adorning the 12-acre estate. The works - which range in price from £1,000 to £50,000 - will be contributed by up to 60 Irish and international sculptors, old and new, at the forefront of their profession.

Street Boozer Fined

An east Belfast man has been fined £50 for drinking alcohol in public. Jack Simpson, from Dunraven Court, was also ordered to pay costs of £66 after he was detected drinking alcohol at Holywood Road on December 10, 2010. The prosecution was brought by Belfast City Council.

(BMcC/GK)