Lambs To The Slaughter

Nine sheep have been left badly injured while 21 lambs have been worried to death by dogs on a farm in Co Londonderry. A farmer found the lambs dead in a field near Garvagh when he went to inspect them on Monday. When he returned to the same field yesterday he found the injured sheep. A vet is examining them but they may have to be destroyed. It was the first case of sheep-worrying in the area for some time and police believe several dogs were involved given the sheer size of the slaughter.

Motorcycle Tragedy Probed

A young man has died after his motorcycle was involved in a road accident in Lisburn. It happened on Grand Street at about 4pm on Tuesday afternoon. The as yet unnamed victim, who was aged 18, suffered serious injuries when he came off his motorcycle and later died. Police do not think any other vehicles were involved but have asked for anyone who saw the accident, or who was travelling along Grand Street or Huguenot Drive around the time of the accident to contact them as part of their investigation.

Hotel Opens Doors

Belfast's newest hotel has officially opened its doors to the public in the city's fashionable Cathedral Quarter. The renovated Four Corners site is now home to the capital's second Premier Inn, which was officially unveiled by Regeneration Minister Margaret Ritchie. The space incorporates public art, which has been installed on the exterior of the building, complementing the ongoing investment into the area. The historic Four Corners site had lay derelict for many years. Located at the junction of Rosemary Street, North Street, Donegall Street and Bridge Street, Four Corners is considered the birthplace of Belfast, and appears in the first maps of the city dating from the 1600s.

Construction Bosses Meet Bankers

A delegation of Northern Ireland builders has entered into talks with the British Bankers' Association (BBA) in a concerted effort to address the ongoing issues in the construction industry. The Construction and Property Group said the discussions were aimed at gaining a commitment from the major banks that they will not take any steps which would further destabilise the market. The group told the BBA officials that a serious effort should be made by the local financial institutions to reintroduce liquidity into the market, by ensuring that affordable mortgages are available, particularly to first time buyers.

MATRIX Plans For Hi-Tech NI

Northern Ireland's high-technology businesses should continue to plan for the longer term. That was the message delivered by the NI Enterprise Minister, Arlene Foster at the launch of the first report of 'MATRIX: The Northern Ireland Science Industry Panel'. Speaking to an audience of stakeholders from business, higher and further education and government, the Minister said: "If planning for stability and growth is important at times of economic success it is vital at times of economic slowdown. Right now we need forward thinking and innovative future planning which this MATRIX report represents." MATRIX is a business led expert panel, formed in February 2007. It was set up to provide advice to the Minister on how best to maximise commercial and economic gains from the exploitation of Northern Ireland's R&D and science and technology strengths over the next decade and beyond.

(BMcC)