Killer Wins Photo Court Action

A Belfast weekly newspaper has been banned from printing clear images of a convicted sex killer. A High Court judge ruled unobscured pictures - unpixilated photographs - could not be published in the media. Convicted Ken Callaghan beat Carol Gouldie, 21, to death with a hammer in 1987. He was ordered to serve at least 21 years in jail. His tariff expired last October. He sought an injunction against the paper's plans to print photos taken while he was on a pre-release scheme. Lawyers for Sunday Life publisher Independent News and Media argued the newspaper wanted to show Callaghan's facial features as part of a campaign to alert people who may come into contact with him.

Police Target Drugs Dealers Across Ireland

Drugs seizures are again featuring in the news as police raids on both sides of the border hit those suspected of involvement in the illegal trade. An 18-year-old man has been charged with production of cannabis, possession of a Class C drug and possession of an offensive weapon. The charges are connected to the discovery of a number of cannabis plants and a stun gun at a house in Twinbrook on Tuesday. He is due to appear before Lisburn Magistrates Court on 3 February. Meanwhile, a man has been arrested as drugs were seized across the border. Heroin with an estimated street value of €100,000 has been recovered by gardaí in Dublin. A man in his early 40s was arrested on Monday following a search of premises in Benburb Street, near the city centre.

Happy New Year?

With around 70 cars clamped in Belfast on the first day of a joint PSNI and Driver and Vehicle Agency operation to crack down on untaxed vehicles, it was a miserable start to the first 'back to work' week of 2009 for those evading duty. The day-long operation on Wednesday on the Grosvenor Road was part of Operation Evader, designed to tackle the problem of road tax evasion. Vehicles found to be untaxed for more than 28 days during yesterday's operation were clamped, with owners given the choice of paying up or having their cars taken away to a pound.

Beer Cheer Slammed

A decision by UK national pub chain Wetherpoon to cut the price of a pint of beer to 99p has been criticised by the the NI Federation of Retail Licensed Trade as damaging to the industry's attempts to market alcohol responsibly. The move by the chain - which has nine outlets in Northern Ireland - has already been criticised by local councils, health groups and politicians worried about a possible increase in the incidence of binge drinking. Wetherspoon has defended its marketing strategy as a necessary commercial decision to boost trade and safeguard jobs in the current economic climate. It said pricing a pint under a pound poses no risks as all of its outlets are well-run by highly trained staff. However, FRLT boss, Colin Neill said yesterday: "The pricing promotions introduced by the JD Wetherspoon pub chain are unlikely to be welcomed by the drinks industry in Northern Ireland."

Work Starts At Dungannon Development

Remedial work has commenced on a £2.4m infrastructure project at a new Invest Northern Ireland business park in Dungannon. The construction project will focus on developing the road and utilities infrastructure of a new business park on the Killyliss Road. This will release an additional 26 acres of useable land that will accommodate the future growth and investment plans of Invest NI client companies, said Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster. "Whilst the global slowdown continues to impact on our local economy, it is important that we plan for the longer term by ensuring that sufficient land, with the necessary infrastructure, is in place to support new investment opportunities as they arise," she said.

(BMcC)