Other NI News In Brief

Afghanistan Servicemen Get PM's Praise

NI soldiers serving in Afghanistan have just had a surprise VIP visit. The Prime Minister has personally thanked Northern Ireland-based soldiers for their service in the hot spot. Speaking during a morale-boosting visit to Helmand Province yesterday, Gordon Brown praised the 2,000 troops from 19 Light Brigade, the first full military brigade to deploy directly from Northern Ireland.

Building Restorations Key To Tourism, Says Wilson

Communities looking to develop local tourism should look at the role traditional buildings could play, Stormont Environment Minister Sammy Wilson has said. Mr Wilson was commenting on traditional architecture in the Glens of Antrim at an event organised by the Federation for Ulster Local Studies. The seminar was targeted at individuals interested in the history of traditional buildings, concerned about their future and interested in the regeneration of local communities.

Double-Jobbing MPs To Be Scrutinised

The official UK inquiry into MP's expenses will also examine the controversial issue of double-jobbing by Northern Ireland politicians. The wide-reaching independent investigation is being undertaken by the Committee on Standards in Public Life, the UK-wide ethics watchdog. A spokeswoman for the body said double-jobbing by senior politicians here is among the subjects it intends to scrutinise. Sixteen of Northern Ireland's 18 MPs are also assembly members and some also hold further paid positions, including ministerial posts, assembly committee chairmanships and council seats.

Orange Hall Targeted

A container of liquid was thrown into a Co Antrim Orange Hall in an attack overnight. Three windows were also smashed at Drumlee Orange Hall on Monday, which is located on the Mullan Road, near Ballymoney. The container was removed for examination. Police said the exact nature of the liquid had yet to be established. Just two months ago, the hall was targeted by vandals when green paint was thrown at it and a window broken.

Cocaine Man Pleads Guilty

Another man has admitted his role in one of Ireland's biggest drug seizures. David Mufford, 44, from Devon, pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine with intent to supply at Cork Circuit Criminal Court, in the Irish Republic this week. The 1.9 tonnes of cocaine, worth about 675 million euros (£610m), were recovered off the Irish coast in 2007. Mufford, of Clennon Lane, Torquay, will be sentenced on 8 May with Philip Doo, from Brixham, Devon, and Christopher Wiggins, from Malaga, Spain after Doo and Wiggins pleaded guilty to the same charge last week.

Dublin 'Body In Boot' Probed

The body of a man has been found in suspicious circumstances in Dublin. Gardaí at Kevin Street are investigating the circumstances linked to the discovery of the body of a male aged 30 years at approximately 11.30pm, late on Monday night. The body was discovered found in a car boot, which was parked on Island Street.

(BMcC/JM)