Pub Death Case Stalls

The case of a man accused of manslaughter has ground to a halt after the jury failed to reach a verdict. Conor McCusker, 31, was killed in a fight outside a nightclub in Cookstown in 2009. This week, Christopher Murphy, 23, pleaded not guilty to attacking Mr McCusker and while the jury unanimously found Murphy guilty of the assault in relation to the fight, they could not agree on the more serious charge and he was released on continuing bail. The prosecution will indicate on Friday of next week if Murphy should face a re-trial before a new jury for the unlawful killing of Mr McCusker, who died in hospital two days after the initial incident.

L-Drivers Find 'Own Way'

There's further twists being added to the driving test with news that learners will soon have to make their way to a destination without any help from the examiner. The addition of 10 minutes of 'independent driving' represents the biggest change in the makeup of the test since it was introduced 50 years ago. Candidates will be given a set destination and asked to get there without step-by-step guidance making their way there, following traffic signs.

Fire Officer Rewarded

Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) Area Commander Brian McClintock recently received the Queen's Fire Service Medal (QFSM) from Her Majesty the Queen at an event held in Buckingham Palace. Brian, who heads up the Operations Department at NIFRS Headquarters in Lisburn was awarded the prestigious medal for distinguished service. "I am extremely grateful for this personal recognition however I see this as an award for everyone I work alongside in the Fire & Rescue Service and in recognition of the excellent work of NIFRS in protecting the community," he said.

Olympics For NI

It has emerged that two qualifying competition for the London Olympics will be held in Lisburn in December. The Irish International Championships will double as a qualifier for the 2012 Games with over 200 competitors from over 30 countries expected to be in action at Lisburn Racquets Club. A boccia qualifier for the London Paralympics will also take place at Jordanstown in August.

Drinkers Fined - Again!

Three men who repeatedly breached on-street drinking legislation have been prosecuted by Belfast City Council. Thomas Lawless, from Ballymurphy Crescent in west Belfast, was fined a total of £200 in relation to four separate offences of drinking alcohol in public. The offences were detected at Bank Street, College Avenue, Fountain Street and Berry Street, all in the city centre, in January and February this year. Mr Lawless was also ordered to pay costs of £75. Patrick Joseph Burns, from Riverdale Close, also in west Belfast, was fined a total of £200 after being detected drinking alcohol in public on eight separate occasions. The offences took place at King Street, Bank Street, Castle Street, Great Victoria Street and Castle Arcade between January and April this year. Mr Burns was also ordered to pay costs of £75. Also, fined a total £150 was James Rooney with an address at the Morning Star Hostel in Divis Street. Mr Rooney was detected drinking alcohol in public on three separate occasions; at Bank Street, Fountain Street and College Court in January and February this year.

Dodds 'Gone Fishing'

The DUPs's MEP Diane Dodds has welcomed the Director General of the European Commission's Fisheries Directorate to Northern Ireland. As Director General of DG Mare, Lowri Evans is second only to Europe's Fisheries Commissioner in terms of influence on fisheries matters within the Brussels establishment. "I am really delighted that Ms Evans was able to accept my invitation to visit the fishing industry here in Northern Ireland," the MEP said. "We had a busy day visiting Portavogie and Kilkeel, where local fishermen, their representatives and fish processors were able to discuss a wide range of issues with the Director General."

Alliance Goes Green

The East Antrim Alliance MLA Stewart Dickson has asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment Arlene Foster whether her Department will implement a strategy to develop the green economy. He asked the Minister about the issue in an Assembly Question. "We need to focus on growing our green economy. It has massive potential and we can become a global leader if we make the most of the potential we have on renewable energy and research and development in the field of sustainability. NI needs to be radical in our work to boost our economy, and the green economy is crucial to helping us create new jobs. We have excellent natural resources in our winds and tides and we must strive to make the most of the potential our resources hold," he said. "Creating a Green New Deal and growing our green economy are vital not only to our economic potential but also to helping us protect our environment."

(BMcC/GK)