UCF Think Pink

MediCare and Clarins have joined forces to get lippy for the Ulster Cancer Foundation's Think Pink! breast cancer awareness campaign. Customers can call in to one of seven MediCare stores to claim a Clarins pink lipstick in exchange for a donation to Think Pink! during the month of October. Participating stores in Belfast include MediCare at Forestside Shopping Centre, Lisburn Road, Kings Square and Upper Newtownards Road, Dundonald, as well as MediCare stores at High Street, Carrickfergus, Main Street, Limavady, and Main Street, Strabane. Pictured is Suzi McIlwain from the Ulster Cancer Foundation at the launch.

Prisons Get Snap Inspection

The NI Justice Minister David Ford has welcomed two reports following unannounced inspections at Hydebank Wood Young Offenders Centre and Ash House. The inspections were carried out in March of this year by the Criminal Justice Inspectorate, Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Prisons (HMIP), Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA) and the Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI) in Northern Ireland. These were follow-up inspections and examined the progress made in implementing the recommendations contained in their last inspection in 2007. Alliance Leader and Minister David Ford said: "While I am encouraged by the progress made since 2007, there is still more work to be done. The inspectors found that there have been improvements in relation to safety, respect and resettlement, which is positive. I welcome the improvement in engagement between staff and prisoners at Hydebank Wood Young Offenders Centre. I also welcome the view that Ash House is an improving establishment focusing on the gender-specific needs of women prisoners," he said, adding that the reports highlight that more needs to be done to create purposeful activity for prisoners.

Smithwick Extension Welcomed

An East Belfast MLA and NI Policing Board member Robin Newton has welcomed the request by Judge Peter Smithwick to the Irish Justice Minister for an extension to the tribunal, which is investigating, alleged collusion between the Gardaí and IRA in the murder of two senior RUC officers. "The murders of Chief Supt Harry Breen and Supt Bob Buchanan have raised many questions about the reported collusion between the IRA and members of the Gardaí. Whilst no-one wants to see the kind of costly open-ended inquiries which have caused so much public concern here in Northern Ireland, it is vital that the Smithwick Tribunal is given reasonable time in which to conclude all its investigations. The new date for the conclusion of the Tribunal to 31st May is a relatively short extension and will hopefully help to ensure that the truth about these murders can be achieved," he added. "There were concerns earlier in the process that there were attempts to interfere with the Tribunal and curtail its activities. As a Party we expressed strong concerns about this at the time and stressed the need for Judge Smithwick to be able to carry out his work."

Down Road Works Progressing

Steady progress is being made in the Down District, where maintenance and road works are being tackled, following an investment of over £5m. Projects such as the new footway on the Grand Jury Road at Saintfield and the resurfacing of the A2 Dundrum Road in Newcastle are already complete with other projects making constant progress. NI Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy has set out the Roads Service’s progress on the investments. "A wide range of improvement and maintenance schemes are underway or already complete in the Down District," he said, adding "The priorities and constraints placed on funding levels by Budget 2010 mean it is likely the programme of local transport and safety measures in 2012/13 and 2013/14 will be under considerable pressure." He also said that while current indications are that funding for resurfacing and minor improvement works will be very limited next year he remains committed to delivering these important schemes as resources permit.

Northern Mouldings Raises Profile

A Co Tyrone company, Northern Mouldings Ltd is welcoming in a new era by rebranding under the name 'Promould'. As part of the prestigious Heron Bros Group, Northern Moulding, based in Cookstown, designs, manufactures and distributes a range of MDF profiles for the architectural, kitchen, bedroom and DIY sectors across Ireland and the UK marketplace. "The company's decision to rebrand is the result of a strategic plan to reflect our continuing professionalism, our commitment to product development through inward investment and our drive to grow our market in a modern, competitive industry," said General Manager, Christopher McCreanor. "We feel the new brand reflects our positive attitude to the design and production of state-of-the-art profiles. In a highly competitive market, Northern Mouldings has carved a strong position in the MDF mouldings industry and will continue to surpass customer and industry expectations under our new branding, Promould. We have recently secured several major UK contracts, which gives us great encouragement for the future and has underpinned our decision to rebrand," continued Christopher.

Fish In Danger

A Co Tyrone farmer was fined £350 plus £31 court costs at Dungannon Magistrates Court this week. Robert Liggett of Glendavagh Road, Caledon, was fined for making a polluting discharge to a waterway. On 19 January 2011, a Water Quality Inspector, acting on behalf of the Northern Ireland Environment Agency observed farm effluent entering an unnamed tributary of the River Blackwater. The affected waterway had farm effluent present in it for its entire length, which was greater than 400 metres. The source of the polluting discharge was traced to a farm owned by Mr Liggett. A sample taken at the time of the incident confirmed that the discharge contained poisonous, noxious or polluting matter, which was potentially harmful to fish life in the receiving waterway.

(BMcC)