Illegal Cigs Seized

Illegal cigarettes worth an estimated £4,500 in unpaid excise duty and VAT have been seized by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) during a series of raids on properties in Belfast yesterday morning. HMRC, supported by officers from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), searched a house and a private vehicle in the east of the city where they seized 20,000 illicit cigarettes. In a simultaneous search of a property in south Belfast officers seized a further 500 illicit cigarettes. John Whiting, Assistant Director Criminal Investigation for HMRC said: "Tobacco smuggling is organised criminality on a global scale and robs the taxpayer of millions each year in unpaid duty and VAT. Anyone with information about the storage or sale of illegal tobacco in their area should contact the Customs' hotline on 0800 59 5000," he said, adding that investigations are continuing.

Quinn Broke

Sean Quinn, who was one Ireland's richest men has been declared bankrupt. He was granted a voluntary adjudication at Belfast High Court on Friday over an alleged €2.8bn (£2.4bn) debt owed to Anglo Irish Bank. The Fermanagh man who began a huge multi-faceted business with a local cement works was once worth €4.72bn (£3.7bn) at the height of his business success.

Clarify NIHE Future

The Sinn Fein MLA Fra McCann has called on the NI Housing Minister Nelson McCausland to inform people what his strategy is for the future of the NI Housing Executive. "There have been many rumours around the direction the Minister will take in deciding the future structure of the Housing Executive. A report delivered to the Minister some time ago recommended that the Housing Executive should be divided into separate organisations, one to deal with strategy and the other adopting the role of housing landlord, but it also mentioned the role of a possible regulator," he said. "Whilst the report gives broad headings on what should happen to the Housing Executive it lacked substance and was vague when scrutinised as to the future role of the organisation," adding, "It is now time for straight talking and for the Minister to lay out his plans for the future of the organisation."

Vocational Help Praised

The NI Health Minister Edwin Poots has praised Action Mental Health for the innovative way it provides vocational rehabilitation and training for people recovering from mental illness. Mr Poots was speaking as he visited the Hospice Shop and Barkingham Palace Dog Groomers in Lisburn where he met people currently taking part in rehabilitation training. The Minister said: "I am really impressed by the support and empowerment programmes that Action Mental Health offers people who are recovering from mental illness. The personal development training and work placements provide opportunities for people to develop the confidence, tools and skills that will enable them to lead independent lives." The Minister commended both the NI Hospice and Barkingham Palace Dog Groomers for providing diverse and innovative placement environments to help people.

Gone Fishing!

Henning Brothers in Kilkeel has won its first export business in Europe for frozen crab products, with assistance from Invest Northern Ireland. The shellfish processing company took part in a recent Invest NI trade development programme in the Netherlands. Through the Going Dutch initiative, the company secured business from two wholesalers in Amsterdam for frozen crab meat and crab claws. The business breakthrough in the Netherlands was announced by Harold Henning, who founded the seafood processing company in 1997 with his two brothers, and welcomed by Dr Vicky Kell, Invest NI Trade Director, who said: "Our Going Dutch initiative gave Henning Brothers access to an experienced marketing organisation with a wide range of contacts in foodservice organisations, contacts which the company has followed up successfully. As a result it has now secured worthwhile business in the Netherlands for its premium quality crab products."

Hedging The Problem

Ulster Unionist MLA Danny Kinahan has today urged householders, landowners and landlords to address the issue of high hedges before legislation comes into effect formally next year. He urged those with complaints to do everything in their power to reach agreement with the hedge owners by way of discussions, letters or even mediation.

Mr Kinahan said: "By early next year those who are experiencing resistance from hedge owners will have their rights formalised and will be in a position to approach their local council for assistance – but ONLY if they have taken all reasonable steps to reach an amicable solution." The Department of the Environment is committed to ensuring that the High Hedges Act is operational before 31 March and this legislation will give councils the power to investigate and, where appropriate, issue a remedial notice requiring that a hedge be reduced to a specific height and Mr Kinahan also suggested that hedge owners – particularly landlords/property management companies get ahead of the legislation by trimming hedges to acceptable heights now whilst they are dormant and before the nesting season.

(BMcC/GK)