No Turkish Delight

As many as 1,500 Northern Ireland holidaymakers have their plans ruined after a tour operator went out of business. That's on top of 400 local travellers who have already flown out to Dalaman in south-west Turkey with Holidays 4 UK who went bust yesterday. In total, around 12,000 UK holidaymakers are thought to be on breaks with the business, which had a turnover of £35m.

Lillis To Serve His Time

The Stormont Justice Minister David Ford has rejected calls for the release of a sick republican prisoner on compassionate and humanitarian grounds. He said medical staff at Maghaberry told him that Brendan Lillis was receiving adequate care at the prison hospital. Mr Ford met with the partner of Mr Lillis, who suffers from a severe arthritic condition, on Wednesday, but has now rejected the Sinn Fein-backed call to free the returned-to-jail prisoner [on the grounds of public safety] despite calls for him to be released. See: McGuinness Wants Brendan Lillis Freed

Ballyclare Trouble In Focus

Four men have been arrested, one on suspicion of attempted murder following trouble in Ballyclare, Co Antrim on 9th and 10th July, police have said. They were detained in the area on Thursday morning during searches by officers, a number of items were also seized. Police said their investigation into the violence in the area in July is 'ongoing and progressing well'and that all four have been taken to Antrim police station for questioning.

Recession Continues

NI's recovery struggled to take hold over the first half of this year as the short-term pressures piled up and growth of more than 2% is not expected until 2012, according to Northern Bank Chief Economist, Angela McGowan. The latest 'Quarterly Sectoral Forecast' report published today by Northern Bank has maintained its annual growth forecasts of 1.1% for 2011 but has increased the chances of the economy slipping back into recession by five percentage points from 15 to 20%. Northern Ireland still faces its own local pressures stemming from public expenditure cuts, relatively low consumer confidence and subdued demand all of which will continue to keep growth below par, as Ms McGowan explained: "The underlying picture for the Northern Ireland economy remains one of a painfully slow recovery. In a similar fashion to the UK economy, Northern Ireland's recovery has been hampered by some global setbacks such as the oil price shock earlier this year. Growth is also being held back at the local level by declining private disposable income, a slump in private consumption and weak business investment stemming from heightened uncertainty." See: NI Builders 'Falling Behind Rest Of UK'

Frauds Fined

Two people were convicted at Belfast Magistrates' court this week for claiming benefits they were not entitled to. Philip Wills (32) of Carnhill Parade, Carrickfergus was given 300 hours community service and ordered to pay court costs of £22 for wrongful encashment of Income Support totalling £475. Ruth Jones (48) of Sunnylands Drive, Carrickfergus claimed Income Support, Carers Allowance and Housing Benefit totalling £14,764 while failing to declare employment. She was given 150 hours community service and ordered to pay court costs of £43. Both are also required to repay any outstanding money wrongfully obtained to the Social Security Agency.

(BMcC/GK)