Other News In Brief

Investigation Launches Over Death Of Woman In House Fire

Police have launched an investigation over the death of a woman following a house fire in County Antrim.

The blaze broke out at the property in Tower Link on Monday afternoon.

The victim has been named as Susan Melvin.

Her body was found in an upstairs too at around 6pm.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Wind Turbines Built In Rural Areas Must Maintain A Cautious Approach - Durkan

SDLP Mid Ulster MLA Patsy McGlone has welcomed a response from the Environment Minister Mark H Durkan where he made clear that the construction of wind turbines in rural areas must maintain a cautious approach with the objective of protecting Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Mr McGlone described the Minister's response as welcome support for the will of rural communities.

Mr McGlone said: "This is an issue that has caused grave concern in rural communities across Northern Ireland. My constituents have expressed anxiety that the planning powers granted to the new councils could lead to increased development with little regard given to the local environmental impact.

"By pockmarking our most beautiful areas with wind farms we risk causing irreparable damage to our landscapes. It is very encouraging therefore that the Minister has responded in a way that supports the will of the people living in these areas.

"In his response to my written question, Minister Durkan assured that the Strategic Planning Policy Statement, issued to every new council, has detailed that extreme caution must be exercised before the development of wind turbines to ensure they do not adversely impact Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Minister Durkan further assured that his department would continue to provide an appropriate level of strategic direction on the subject."

Unionists Accused Of Basing Their Electoral Campaign On Negative Politics

Sinn Féin national chairperson and South Antrim election candidate Declan Kearney has said unionists are basing their electoral campaign entirely on negative politics.

Mr Kearney said: "Comments attributed to Maurice Morrow at the UUP's Tom Elliot's election launch has exposed a campaign based entirely on negative politics.

"Launching the unionist pact election campaign in Fermanagh South Tyrone with an objective 'to get rid of the girl from the Brantry', speaks for itself.

"No political vision is being advanced by either Tom Elliott, or his cheer leader, Maurice Morrow.

"The unionist pact against Michelle Gildernew, which is now supported by David Cameron's Tory Party, has clearly exposed itself as a negative, sectarian and now also chauvinist and pro-austerity campaign.

"That is the agenda which the unionist and British Tory parties' electoral pact is offering citizens in Fermanagh South Tyrone. The wrong-headed approach of the SDLP in fielding its candidate in these circumstances makes it complicit in the promotion of this totally negative agenda.

"Sinn Féin is the alternative to the unionist/British Tory alliance in Fermanagh South Tyrone."

(CD/MH)