Other NI News In Brief

Ards Fire Suspicious

The police are investigating a case of suspected arson in Co Down. Fire crews tackled the suspicious blaze near Newtownards at the weekend. The fire was reported at business premises on the Jubilee Road industrial estate at approximately 4am on Sunday morning. At this stage, a police spokesperson confirmed detectives are treating the fire as arson.

Wright Killer Dead

Christopher 'Crip' McWilliams, who led the INLA gang that shot LVF boss Billy Wright as he sat in a prison van inside the walls of the Maze prison in December 1997, has died. McWilliams, who was in his 40s and from west Belfast, died from cancer in hospital on Saturday morning. A public inquiry into Wright's killing, following allegations of security force collusion in the murder, is ongoing. McWilliams was already in jail for killing the manager of Frames bar, in Belfast - who had barred him from the premises earlier - with McWilliams returning to shoot him on the doorstep of the premises.

Donegall Avenue Assault

A 48-year-old man suffered injuries to his head and face after he was set upon at an entry to the rear of Donegall Avenue at the weekend. He has been treated in hospital after being assaulted by a gang of men in south Belfast in the early hours of Saturday morning. The attack took place at about 1am and the police have appealed to anyone with information about the attack to contact them.

Fatal Crash Followed By Dundrod Accident

While an 18-year-old man is critically ill following an accident involving two cars in County Antrim - another man has died in Co Tyrone. The latest accident happened on the Quarterland Road in Dundrod on Saturday afternoon. Three other people travelling in the same car were also hurt. However, their injuries are not life threatening. Meanwhile, a man has died following a collision in Tyrone. The accident happened on the Termon Road between Carrickmore and Pomeroy. The crash, which involved a van and lorry, happened shortly before 11.30am on Saturday. The driver of the van, who has not yet been named, was taken to Craigavon Area Hospital, where he was subsequently pronounced dead.

Omagh Fire Probed

Detectives in Omagh are investigating a fire at a flat in Fintona during the early hours of Saturday morning. Police and fire crews attended the fire at the flat in Castletown Square in the Co Tyrone town around 1am.The ground floor flat was destroyed in the blaze. A man in his 50s, who was treated at the Tyrone County Hospital for smoke inhalation, has since been released.

(BMcC)