Other NI News In Brief

Death Driver Jailed

A man previously found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving has had his 18-month suspended jail sentence activated. In 2009, Martin McDonnell pleaded guilty to killing Adele Whiteside, a 14-year-old girl who was leaving a wedding when she was knocked down in 2007. But, McDonnell, 22, from Garnock in west Belfast, had his initial sentence suspended for three years. Now, the court heard that within 10 months of that sentence, he was involved in another accident and was the passenger in a stolen vehicle that was involved in a car crash. He later pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicle theft causing injury, criminal damage and obstructing police for which he was handed a five-month jail term and was due to be released from jail in two weeks time, but has now instead had his suspended sentence imposed.

Irisgate Closes

Castlereagh Council's controveral lease to Iris Robinson's former lover has been cleared of any wrongdoing. The findings of the full and final report were presented to council members on Thursday night and debated behind closed doors. The report by Consultants Deloitte said there was no evidence of impropriety on behalf of council officers directly involved in the process of awarding the tender of a cafe to Kirk McCambley and the report also showed that the council did not incur any financial loss as a result of the award of the lease.

Airporter Goes Wi Fi

Specialist bus firm, Airporter is 'flying high' at Belfast international Airport (BIA) after striking a deal to provide free Wi Fi to all passengers using the airport's business lounge. Deborah Harris, PR Manager at BIA said, "We have listened to our business lounge passengers and along with free Wi fi we have extended the opening hours of the lounge and added local food ranges to the offer in the lounge. We have worked very closely with Airporter over many years and are delighted to welcome them on board as our business lounge partner." Niall McKeever, Airporter Director said: "Airporter were the first public transport coach operator in Northern Ireland to offer free Wi fi on all their services and it was a very logical step to offer the service in the airport's business lounge."

New York, New York

The Stormont Health Minister Edwin Poots has left on a six-day mission to the United States where he will carry out a series of meetings and engagements on a number of key health issues such as suicide prevention, early years intervention and cancer. As Minister for Public Safety, he was also due to attend the World Police and Fire Games in New York City. The DUP Minister said he is keen to learn about state-of-the-art technologies and pioneering techniques, which could benefit our health service. "I will witness first hand key pioneering projects around early years intervention and connected health. I will also meet a number of experts on suicide prevention and those involved in the Nurse-Family Partnership," he said.

Car Trader 'Clocked BMW'

A Co Londonderry motor trader has been fined a total of £1,000 for operating as a 'hidden car trader' and selling a clocked BMW car with a false Vehicle Test Certificate and service history. Anthony Ryan Hazlett, 31, Meadowvale Park, Limavady, pleaded guilty to four charges at Limavady Magistrate's Court in a case brought by the Trading Standards Service (TSS) of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETI) under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008. Mr. Hazlett had sold a BMW motorcar with an incorrect mileage. The vehicle had been advertised on a car selling website with 74,000 miles when in fact its correct mileage should have read in the region of 152,231 miles. A matching false service history was also supplied with the car. When Trading Standards investigated the trading activities of the individual who placed that particular advert, it transpired that Mr. Hazlett had placed other car adverts without declaring that he was a car trader.

Celtic Mists For City Hall

A stained-glass window to reflect Celtic myths and legends is being commissioned by Belfast City Council. It's to help create a sense of shared space and history at City Hall where all cultural perspectives are represented and to promote a 'City Hall for all'. Recent additions to the building such as stained-glass windows on the subjects of the Irish Famine and the Belfast Dockers' Strike, as well as a commissioned bust of Mary Ann McCracken (sister of United Irishman leader, Henry Joy McCracken), have helped to broaden and enrich the historical content in Belfast's most iconic building. The new window will be sited in a prominent position on the ground floor close to the reception area of City Hall. The budget for this new commission is £22,000 of which 75% will be part-funded by the Community Relations Unit at the Office of First Minister and Deputy First Minister, while the council's Strategic Policy and Resources Committee will meet the outstanding bill of £5,500.

(BMcC/KMcA)