Take-away Probed

An employee of McDonald's at the Abbeycentre in Newtownabbey has been robbed by two masked men who were armed with a firearm and a knife. The pair, who both spoke with fake American accents, made off with a sum of cash around 5am today. They are described by investigating officers as being between 5'8" and 6'0" tall respectively and wearing dark clothing.

999 Break-in Condemned

East Antrim Alliance MLA Stewart Dickson has condemned those involved in a break-in at an ambulance station in Larne, which happened shortly after 2am on Sunday. "It beggars belief that anyone could bring themselves to carry out something like this. I want to praise the ambulance staff member whose swift actions help addressed this situation. This is something that those serving the community simply should not have to face," he said. "People will be appalled that this has happened and the community will be very shocked at this."

Bomb Alert Probed

PSNI detectives in South Belfast are appealing for information following the discovery of a viable explosive device in a heavily populated area of Belfast on the evening of Friday 30th September. Major disruption was caused in the area. A number of residences and commercial premises were evacuated overnight as police and Army Technical Officers took steps to make the device safe. A controlled explosion was carried out and the device has been removed for further examination. Insp Eugene King, from Donegall Pass police station thanked local residents and business owners for their patience during this alert and made the following appeal: "This was a viable device which was capable of causing death or serious injury and I would appeal to the community for information about the people who left this deadly device in the heart of our city." He added that anyone who has any information is asked to contact detctives at Musgrave Street on 0845 600 8000. Or, if someone would prefer to provide information without giving their details, they can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers and speak to them anonymously on 0800 555 111.

O'Neill 'Goes Green'

The NI Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Michelle O'Neill has shown her support for a greener environment by opening up new funding avenues for renewable energy products and feasibility studies. Under the Rural Development Programme funding can now be obtained to contribute towards the purchase a wide range of equipment to generate renewable energy. Also available is funding of up to £5,000 matched by the applicant towards the cost of independent feasibility studies. "Providing funding for certain renewable energy products and assistance with the cost of feasibility studies shows my Department's continued support for a greener environment. This will allow more renewable energy projects to come forward in the future. The assistance available towards the costs of an independent feasibility study will ensure that only viable projects are taken forward and will assist rural businesses and farmers make the often difficult decision of investing in these new renewable technologies," said the Sinn Fein Minister.

Marketing In Focus

The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) is preparing for an insight into the marketing practices of NI's political parties during an event entitled 'The electorate, communications and the future of engagement'. The event, taking place at Parliament Buildings in Stormont on Tuesday 4th October aims to give marketers an idea of how marketing principles and practices are transferable from the corporate sector to the world of politics. MLAs from the DUP, Sinn Fein, SDLP, UUP and Alliance will be putting forward their views on how, if at all, they utilise marketing principles to appeal to the electorate. The session will follow a question-and-answer format and will look at how political parties shape their message to widen their appeal and look at their use of the emerging technologies including social media.

NIIRTA Backs Rate relief

The Northern Ireland Independent Retail Trade Association (NIIRTA) has hit out at claims by the NI Retail Consortium that the proposed extension to the Small Business Rate Relief scheme will only "benefit banks, betting and boozers". NIIRTA Chief Executive Glyn Roberts said: "This is absolute nonsense for the NIRC to make this claim. Are they really trying to claim that pubs, off licences and Hotels are not legitimate small businesses that support local jobs and town centres? The NIRC have run out of arguments to support their anti-small business agenda and now have to resort to trying to make cheap headlines. What is their alternative other than just saying No to this scheme?" he said. The proposed Small Business Rate Relief scheme will support hundreds of recession hit small businesses who are struggling to pay their rates bills. It will support the most vulnerable small businesses and protect jobs."

(BMcC/GK)