Other NI News In Brief

Biker Tragedy

There has been an overnight road crash, which left a 20-year-old motorcyclist fatally injured after the accident in Whiteabbey, Co Antrim. The collision between a car and his bike happened on the Shore Road on Sunday evening. Two men, a woman and a boy, who were in the car, were taken to hospital. Alliance Newtownabbey Cllr Tom Campbell has expressed his condolences to the family of a 20-year-old man who died when his motorbike was involved in a crash with a car. "This is extremely sad news that another life has been lost on our roads. I would like to extend my sympathies to the family of this young man. It is tragic that another family is grieving the death of a loved one on our roads. I would urge all road users to be wary of others on the roads," he said.

Drowned Teen Recovered

The body of Sean McNair, 17, from Creggan was found on Sunday - eight days after he drowned in Lough Swilly, Co Donegal. The Londonderry teenager's family are said to be 'relieved' that his body has been recovered and they can now bury him at home. Father Stephen McLaughlin, who also knows the McNair family, said on BBC NI today they are now concentrating on planning Sean's funeral: "The abiding mood yesterday was one of relief," he added. Malin Head coastguard said the teenager's body was recovered at about 3.30pm on Saturday.

Pallets Razed

A Co Antrim firm has been put out of business by a suspicious weekend blaze. The fire at Topping Pallets, on the Manse Road outside Templepatrick, started on Sunday night. The PSNI said it is being treated as suspicious and that a man was spotted running from the scene at about 11.45pm. The firm supplied pallets to customers all over Ireland and some orders which were destroyed were due to go out on Monday. A car, forklifts and industrial sawing equipment were also completely destroyed. Five appliances, including one aerial appliance, were required to deal with the building fire on the Manse Road. The fire involved the building which contained a large number of wooden pallets and a site, approx 30m x 70m, used as a pallet business. Firefighters used, three main jets and one jet from the aerial appliance as a water tower, to bring the blaze under control.

Abuse Probed

Stormont Junior Ministers Martina Anderson and Jonathan Bell have commenced a series of meetings with those affected by historical institutional abuse. Following an extensive consultation the NI Executive tasked the Junior Ministers to gather more information over the summer months to help refine the nature of an inquiry. Junior Minister Anderson said: "The issues raised by historical institutional abuse are very complex and highly emotive. It is imperative that we take on board the views of victims and survivors to ensure that their needs are addressed. We are determined to get this process right; it will not be an easy task as the range of needs is wide and varied, but we will ensure that the voices of those affected are heard," said the Sinn Fein politician. See: Kenny Backed On Vatican Abuse Speech

Bail Out 'Flawed'

DUP MEP Diane Dodds has described last week's agreement among EU leaders to bail out Greece as a 'sticking plaster' solution to a terminal problem, stating that while further crisis in Greece may have been averted for now, there remains the likelihood that further bailouts will be needed in the future. Diane Dodds said: "While EU leaders have agreed to cobble together a package that allows Greece to default on their debt in all but name, the fact remains that in Greece, and in many other Euro zone countries, there remains a debt mountain that requires more than this sticking plaster medicine administered by the EU. In the Irish Republic and in Portugal there will be sighs of relief at the lower interest rates proposed and extended time period to repay their debt. Yet that sense of relief is likely to be short-lived in Greece in particular, with further bailouts being needed a distinct possibility in the future. Throwing more and more money at this problem is not the solution. Only by tackling this debt on a long term basis, and returning these countries to economic growth, will this problem be alleviated."

Apartments On Way

Fermanagh-based McGurran Construction is expected to commence work immediately after the Northern Ireland builder's holidays on the construction of 20 apartments within two three-storey blocks and all associated site works. The development, designed by Belfast-based architect Harry Rolston Architects will measure 1,250 sq.m. and will be located on 0.12 hectare site. The development for Trinity Housing Association also provides for 20 car spaces. Demolition work for the project commenced in April 2011 and have recently been completed. Construction work is expected to take in the region of 12 months to complete.

(BMcC/GK)