Pan Blaze Tragedy

Firefighters were called to the house in Newry's High Street on Thursday evening by neighbours after a smoke alarm went off and discovered that a man had died after being overcome by smoke when a saucepan overheated. An ambulance crew took the man to hospital around midnight, but he later died. The victim lived alone and is thought to have been in his 40s.

Robbery Probed

Detectives in Castlereagh are appealing for information following an armed robbery outside commercial premises in the Church Road area of Carryduff this morning, Friday 7th October. Shortly after 9.30am it was reported that a man was struck in the face by an unknown male and ordered into the rear of his van. The man was badly shaken and required paramedic treatment at the scene. The man then made off with a sum of cash in a clear money bag. This man was armed with a firearm. He is described as being 5'10" tall, of medium build, in his twenties and was wearing a blue hooded top, blue jeans and a black scarf over his face. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact CID at Castlereagh 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.

Jobs In Store

There's been a high level welcome from the First Minister Peter Robinson after the announcement by Sainsbury's that it will create 250 jobs at a new store in Bangor. The announcement was made by the Chief Executive of Sainsbury's Justin King, as he took the First Minister on a tour of their existing Holywood Exchange store. Mr Robinson said: "The announcement by Sainsbury's that their new Bangor store will create 250 jobs, as well as another 150 seasonal jobs throughout Northern Ireland, is a tremendous boost for our local retail sector. The creation of a new Bangor store is another example of Sainsbury's commitment to doing business in Northern Ireland," he said, adding: "It is already a major employer in Northern Ireland with almost 3,000 staff here, its contribution to the economy in Northern Ireland is already substantial. Sainsbury's has shown a remarkable commitment to local produce, purchasing some £300million of local food and drink each year from over 100 Northern Ireland suppliers." The new store at Balloo Industrial Estate in Bangor is due to open in November and recruitment is already underway. The 35,000 sq ft store will be the supermarket's 13th in Northern Ireland.

Wilson Crosses Border For Art

Art crosses many boundaries - including borders - with news today of a joint exhibition of Government-owned art that has been officially opened in Dublin by the Stormont Finance Minister Sammy Wilson. The touring exhibition, which takes place annually, will be on show at the County Library, Tallaght, Dublin, from today until 30 October. It features 40 art works from the collections of the Northern Ireland Civil Service and the Office of Public Works (Irish Republic) and is based around the theme of artwork titles. The exhibition focuses on the subject of how artists title artworks and looks at the various styles and attitudes to this fundamental part of the creative process. Among the artists represented in the exhibition are Graham Gingles, Philip Flanagan, Maud Cotter and Dermot Seymour. The exhibition moves to the Marketplace Theatre and Arts Centre, Armagh, on the 4 November 2011.

McGuinness Backs Police College
Sinn Fein's Irish Presidential candidate Martin McGuinness has welcomed the announcement that the new Police Training College in Cookstown has been approved. The man who is normally the Stormont Deputy First Minister said: "This decision will bring huge economic benefits for the Cookstown area. A lot of hard work from myself along with other Executive colleagues and local representatives, has taken place to get us to this point," he said. "The expression of interest in utilising the college by the Gardaí clearly provides new opportunities for all-Ireland training and further training for other emergency services on an all-Ireland basis," he added. "Beyond this further interest by other agencies from around the globe highlights the fact that Ireland is an attractive place and that the issue of policing has moved on significantly, especially following the transfer of Policing and Justice powers, for this interest to occur."

Boxing Delight

The NI Social Development Minister, Nelson McCausland has awarded £100,000 to Gleann Amateur Boxing Club. The Neighbourhood Renewal funding will allow the club to expand and fit out its current premises at the Work West Units, Glen Road, west Belfast. "This is good news for the young people of this area. I have seen for myself that the youth activities offered at Gleann Amateur Boxing Club play an important part in promoting an individual's health and confidence. The club also provides an outlet for young people and helps them build respect for their local community and for themselves," he said. "This project supports my Department's strategic objectives of community and social renewal. These objectives aim to improve the quality of life for people in some of our most deprived neighbourhoods. They help to increase voluntary activity, contribute towards healthier lifestyles and aid community development."

(BMcC/GK)