Remand Follows Templepatrick Murder Charges

A man has been in court on murder charges following the death of financial adviser Geoff Kerr, 60, who was shot at his home in the old village area of Templepatrick last Monday night. The 33-year-old man was remanded in custody at Ballymena Magistrates Court charged with the murder. Darren Ivan Kernohan, from Moss Drive in Antrim, spoke only to confirm that he understood the charges. He was remanded in custody to appear via video link at Antrim Magistrates Court on 26 May.

Assault Charges Follow Newry Incident

A 40-year-old man is due to appear before Armagh Magistrates court on Tuesday afternoon charged with offences relating to an assault in Newry at the weekend. The charges are in connection with an allegation that three men forced their way into a house in the Mount Pleasant area on Saturday and attacked another man. The accused male faces eight charges including possession of a firearm under suspicious circumstances, attempting to cause grievous bodily harm and criminal damage.

Visteon Workers Vote For Settlement

Workers in the doomed west Belfast Visteon facility have voted to accept a deal to end a dispute over the closure of the factory. Workers backed the deal on Sunday by 147 to 34 votes. It includes enhanced redundancy payments, as well as compensation in lieu of notice and holiday pay. But those who were employed after Visteon took over the plant nine years ago say their pay-off is not fair compared to those who started working under original owners Ford.

Work Starts On Gateway Sculpture

Work has started on a new 'gateway sculpture' at one of Belfast's most prominent roundabouts. The landmark art piece, at Carlisle Circus, will reflect the area's historical significance as a centre of the linen industry. Designed by renowned Scottish artist, Iain McColl, the sculpture consists of an eight-sided column, reflecting the chimney stacks of the Belfast mills. On top of these 'stacks' will sit a gondola, which will house steel 'flames' conveying a beacon of hope for the future: the design will allow the flames to be moved by the wind. The sculpture is one of the centrepieces of Belfast City Council's 'Renewing The Routes' programme for the Crumlin Road area.

Rural Food And Drink Firms Get Boost

Smaller food and beverage companies in Armagh, Fermanagh and Tyrone are being assisted by Invest Northern Ireland to exploit sales opportunities through a new market intelligence service and advice on how best to get their products to Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland. They will also be briefed on how best to tender for business from the health service. The Invest NI initiative to boost sales outside Northern Ireland will be detailed to companies at an important knowledge sharing and networking event on the 14th May 2009 at Quinn's Corner, near Dungannon. In addition, companies attending the event will also be briefed on how to bid effectively for tenders for business from health and care services.

(BMcC/JM)