Pub Blaze Probed

The Fire Service was called to licensed premises in Carrickfergus in the early hours of Monday to deal with a blaze that is being treated by police as arson. The Joymount Arms was discovered ablaze shortly after 2am this morning with the central part of the bar left badly damaged.

A&E Move Praised

Then NI Health Minister Edwin Poots has thanked health service staff for ensuring the smooth transfer of services following the temporary closure of Belfast City Hospital Emergency Department. "I want to put on record my thanks to the nurses, doctors, paramedics, ancillary workers and administrations teams in not just the Belfast Trust but in others such as the South Eastern, whose dedication, organisation and professionalism has ensured a smooth transition," he said. He said figures suggest that, in November, waiting times had improved at the Mater and Ulster hospitals compared to October, while the number waiting over 12 hours at the Royal had also fallen. The figures also reveal that 3,324 people attended the Emergency Department at the City Hospital in the month before its temporary closure. Attendances at the Royal rose from 6,266 in October to 7,459 in November, however over 72% of these people were treated within four hours. In the same period, attendances at the Ulster dropped by 12 to 6,349 and at the Mater rose by 59 to 3,499.

Meating Marketing Needs

The Agriculture Minister Michelle O'Neill has announced the appointment of a new member and the re-appointment of three existing members to the Livestock and Meat Commission. Ian Mark has been appointed as a new member and Mary McCormack, Kenneth Sharkey and Phelim O'Neill have been re-appointed for a second term. All of the appointments are effective from 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2014. "I wish to thank them for their important contribution which they have made to date and consider that extending their appointment is in the best interests of the livestock and livestock products industries," the Sinn Fein Minister said.

(BMcC/GK)