NI Birth Trends Change In 2011

The amount of births registered in Northern Ireland have remained similar to that in 2010, but new trends toward later childbearing and births to unmarried couples are continuing. In total 25,300 live births were registered in Northern Ireland in 2011, a similar number to 2010. Continuing the trend towards later childbearing, last year half of all babies were born to mothers aged 30 or more. Meanwhile in the lowest number saw in 35 years the amount of births to teenage mums continues to fall. Last year there were 1,170 births to teen mums. But in the highest figure ever 42% of births were to unmarried parents. These findings are contained in provisional 2011 birth statistics released today by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA). An investigation has found that the residents who died at a private nursing home in Donegal all had influenza and that appropriate measures had been put in place.

Flu Killed Nursing Home Residents

Six people died in the private nursing home in County Donegal within the last two weeks, with five deaths within five days. The deaths occurred at Nazareth House in Fahan and it had been reported that these deaths may have been as a result of a respiratory type illness. The Health Service Executive (HSE) have now said tests confirmed that influenza was the cause of the respiratory type illness amongst the residents. Meanwhile the HSE assured that all residents in the nursing home have received either active or preventative treatment for influenza. It is understood that 11 of the 39 are believed to be showing symptoms.

Man Assaulted And Shot In Strabane

A man in his twenties has been assaulted and shot in the knee in front of his partner and daughter, in County Tyrone. The 26-year-old victim was attacked when a gang of masked men entered his house at Carlton Drive in the Ballycolman Estate, in Strabane, shortly before 10.30pm last night. The man, who was sitting in the living room with his family, was beaten with an iron bar before being shot in the knee. It is believed the gun jammed, however, preventing further shots being fired. The man is being treated in hospital for injuries which are not believed to be life threatening.

(LB)