Ulster-Scots Tradition Boosted

The 'Maiden City' has seen an Ulster-Scots Festival receive a boost. NI Culture Minister Gregory Campbell vowed to promote Londonderry's links with the Ulster-Scots tradition at the launch of a new festival in the city. Earlier this week he joined local arts and culture representatives to launch the Foyle Ulster-Scots Festival at the Verbal Arts Centre in Derry City Centre. It runs until Friday and comes as part of a week of exhibitions, events, concerts and re-enactments with the Maiden city Festival also leading up to this weekend's Apprentice Boys parade in the city on Saturday. Mr Campbell said: "Ulster-Scots has a key role to play in the promotion of cultural diversity in Northern Ireland."

Arlene Probe Slammed

A report from the NI Police Ombudsman has found that valuable evidence in the search for a killer wasn't made available and that police could have arrested the chief suspect sooner. Police have been accused of failing to properly investigate the disappearance of Arlene Arkinson, who was murdered in Northern Ireland 14 years ago. A serial sex offender who was with the 15-year-old on the night she went missing on the way home from a disco, was acquitted of the murder - two years after he was jailed for life for the killing of a south London schoolgirl whose body was found in a cement works in Kent. The remains of Arlene, from Castlederg in Co Tyrone, have never been recovered, despite massive searches of mountains and bogland near her home and on the border with Co Donegal.

Quigley Killing: Man Held

Gardaí have arrested a man wanted for questioning in relation to the murder of a pregnant mother-of-four in Londonderry last month. The 36-year-old was detained in Donegal town yesterday and is being held in Ballyshannon garda station. The PSNI had requested that gardaí help in the search for the man, who has a record of violent assaults on women. He was apparently seen in the company of Jean Quigley in the weeks before the 30-year-old was found beaten to death at her home in the Cornshell Fields area of the city on July 26.

NI Man Faces 'Hit-And-Run' Charges

A Northern Ireland man is to appear before a special sitting of Donegal District Court this afternoon in connection with an alleged hit and run near Portnoo. A 30-year-old man was struck as he walked along the road at Summy crossroads and Kilclooney Church at around 12.20am yesterday morning. He was brought to Letterkenny General Hospital where his injuries are said to be serious but not life-threatening. The road reopened yesterday evening after the Garda forensic investigation unit visited the scene. The as yet unnamed man is due to appear before a special sitting of Donegal district court at 1pm.

Tyrone Care Remains

The Urgent Care and Treatment Centre located at Tyrone County Hospital will not close. The NI Health Minister Michael McGimpsey has assured the population in the southwest that it remains open 24 hours a day. "The Urgent Care and Treatment Centre provides essential care to those attending the hospital with urgent or emergency health problems. I am absolutely committed to the continuation of this service, and indeed plans for the new enhanced local hospital include the provision of a 24/7 Urgent Care and Treatment Centre. I know the Western Trust has experienced difficulties in recruiting and retaining medical staff for the Centre and I want to acknowledge their continuing efforts in sustaining quality services in the face of recruitment difficulties. I also want to emphasise that appropriately trained and skilled clinicians will staff the Centre," he concluded.

Blues Commended by Minister

Belfast's long established Linfield Football Club - the Blues - has been commended by NI Sports Minister Gregory Campbell. During a reception at Stormont last night he said: "Since their formation in 1886 Linfield has won the Premiership title an impressive 48 times and the Irish Cup a record 39 times. More recently, the team has won their third successive League and Cup double, the first time this feat has been achieved in British football since 1891-93 when it was accomplished by none other than - Linfield!" he enthused.

Fine Day For Clampers

DRD Roads Service has reminded drivers that car clamping and removals have started in the enforcement of unpaid parking tickets. The operation which started this week will initially target vehicles owned by drivers who have amassed at least three unpaid parking tickets. Simon Richardson, Roads Service Parking Enforcement Manager said: "We have only been operating for two days and already we have found two vehicles owned by drivers who have a significant number of unpaid parking tickets. Drivers who continue to park illegally and refuse to pay their tickets should be aware they are now being targeted in a more robust way. It is important that drivers do not think they can ignore unpaid parking tickets issued by Traffic Attendants and Reminder Notices issued by the Parking Enforcement Unit." Vehicles will only be released to the owner when all outstanding debt is paid.

(BMcC)