RUAS Seeks Style

The RUAS Balmoral Show - backed by Ulster Bank - is only a few weeks away, so time is running out for ladies to start planning the perfect outfit to impress at the GOSH Cosmetics Best Dressed Competition on Friday 13th May. The winner will receive a holiday for two in the 4* Hotel Panorama overlooking the Bay of Limone on Lake Garda. Judges Lisa and Hayley Harrison, IN! magazine publishers with Judith Brannigan, Balmoral Show are shown here with Judith Brannigan, from the Balmoral Show, getting ready for the competition. Jill Russell, Regional Manager Topflight NI, will be presenting the prize on the day to the lucky winner. See: Chef Backs Balmoral Show's Food Pavilion

Newry Van Bomb Suspect Held

A man has been arrested by detectives investigating the 500lb van bomb abandoned on the Belfast to Dublin Road last week. The suspect, who is 26, was detained in the Rostrevor area and is being questioned at Antrim Serious Crime Suite.

Teenager In 'Hoax' Arrest

A 14-year-old teenage boy has been arrested by detectives investigating a number of recent security alerts in the Lurgan area. A PSNI spokeswoman said that the boy was being questioned in connection with a spate of hoax alerts and suspicious objects in the Co Armagh town and that he was remained in police custody on Wednesday evening.

Kerr Suspect Retained

Police officers who are investigating the murder of PSNI constable, Ronan Kerr, have been granted a further six days to question a 26-year-old man and a 40-year-old man. Brian Carron, 26, from the Dungannon area, was arrested in Scotland on 6 April and the 40-year-old man was detained near Omagh on 7 April after Constable Kerr was killed by a bomb under his car outside his Omagh home. Police were earlier granted a five-day extension to question a 33-year-old man arrested in the Omagh area last week and weapons and explosives, including four Kalashnikov rifles were found in the Coalisland area of Co Tyrone on 5 April.

RIR Welcomed

Castlereagh DUP Councillor Gareth Robinson has welcomed the news that members of the Royal Irish Regiment (RIR) will hold a homecoming parade within the Borough of Castlereagh. A motion proposed by Cllr Robinson to hold such a parade was passed by the Council and after discussions with the Regiment it is likely that the parade will take place in May. "This will be a joyous occasion, particularly for the many people locally who have a close association with our the forces, but we will also remember those members of the RIR who have given their lives over recent weeks and months serving their country and assisting the people of Afghanistan," he said.

SF Push For AV Vote

The Sinn Fein MP for West Tyrone Pat Doherty has launched the party bid for a 'Yes' vote in the forthcoming AV referendum. Mr Doherty was joined by party colleagues Paul Maskey (West Belfast) and Cllr Deirdre Hargey (Laganbank) for a billboard launch. "Sinn Fein has long held the view that the 'first past the post' system is unfair and should be replaced by multiple seat constituencies elected by PR," said the MP. "AV is not PR but it is an improvement. In that context we will be advocating a 'Yes' vote in the referendum [on May 5th]."

Confiscation Order For Fraud

The Social Security Agency Financial Investigation Unit has obtained a Confiscation Order to the value of £26,842.99 against Marilyn Young, 54, of Thorndale Terrace, Ballymoney. The defendant previously pleaded guilty to four charges of failing to declare her true circumstances while claiming Income Support and Housing Benefit. Due to this failure she received £28,507.01 in benefits she was not entitled to over a four-year period. She received a sentence for nine months imprisonment suspended for two years. At the confiscation hearing the Court in Antrim granted a Confiscation Order in amount of £26,842.99 with a sentence of 18 months in default of non-payment. She has until 13 October 2011 to satisfy the order.

(BMcC/GK)