Other News In Brief

Man Charged Over Riots

A man has been charged following riots which occurred in north Belfast last month.

The 31-year-old was charged with riotous assembly, attempted grievous bodily harm and possession of an offensive weapon.

The incident happened when loyalist protesters clashed with police following a republican parade. More than 60 police officers were injured following three nights of violence.

The accused is due to appear at Belfast Magistrates Court on Friday 23 November.

The trouble began on 2 September following a parade organised by the Henry Joy McCracken Flute Band.

Loyalists believed the Parades Commission had not placed sufficient restrictions on the march.

Pensioner Tied Up During Burglary

A pensioner has been tied up during a burglary at his house on the edge of Banbridge in County Down.

Two men entered the house of the 80-year-old man on the Aughnacloy Road at about 21:00 on Monday.

The victim was pushed to the ground and tied up.

The two men, one of whom was carrying a knife, then made off with a sum of cash.

He was taken to hospital for treatment, but his injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.

Michael D Lecture At Queen's

Irish President Michael D Higgins is due to deliver the British Council’s annual lecture at Queen’s University later.

The lecture is part of the Belfast Festival and it is the first time it has been taken out of London.

President Higgins is expected to to talk about how Ireland will emerge from a difficult past with culture as one of the engines of growth.

NI Men Jailed Over Cannabis Haul

Two men from Northern Ireland have been jailed after a sniffer dog detected their cannabis haul, thought to be worth £500,000.

The two were caught ferrying drugs in south west Scotland.

Laurence McAllister, 56, of Kells, County Antrim, and Kieran Murphy, 46, of Rathfriland, County Down, were convicted earlier this month.

McAllister was given a jail sentence of five-and-a-half years, while Murphy was jailed for five.

The High Court in Edinburgh heard 25kg of cannabis was hidden inside bags of molasses in the lorry to mask the smell.

The drugs were thought to be worth about £240,000 in Scotland, but that figure would have doubled in Northern Ireland.

(IT)