Costa Del NI Excels

Sunshine continues today after a near heatwave transformed Northern Ireland over the weekend into a Spanish look-alike basking in welcome warmth. Beaches were popular as NI folk took to their nearest coastline. While the Antrim coast road beach at Ballygally, (pictured) filled up more slowly, Portrush and Portstewart, were so busy they were reminiscent of scenes on the Costa Del Sol. Indeed, such was the volume of traffic travelling to Crawfordsburn Country Park in Co Down, police were forced to close the Bridge Road South in Helen's Bay.

CIT Raid Arrests

The police revealed they had foiled a cash-in-transit robbery bid at the weekend. The PSNI said they had arrested two men in Newcastle on Saturday. It is believed that officers from the specialised organised crime squad led 'a planned operation' at a service station on the Dundrum Road just after 1.00pm. A spokesman said the men detained were continuing to assist police with their enquiries.

Peaceful Parade Despite Tension

A loyalist band parade in Coleraine on Friday evening passed off without incident. Forty bands paraded peacefully through the Co Londonderry town, with fears that violence would erupt after last weekend's murder of Catholic community worker Kevin McDaid proving unfounded. This was despite the remains of the father-of-four being returned to his family home at Somerset Drive on the same evening. A hearse arrived with his casket, and two of his sons, Lee and Ryan, carried it into the family home. Mr McDaid, 49, was battered to death when a loyalist mob of up to 40 people swarmed into the housing estate where he lived on Sunday. See: Orde Defends Police Officers Holding Talks With Loyalists On Day Of Coleraine Murder

'Winkie' For Court

Blues' footballer William Murphy will appear before a Spanish court this week, it has been confirmed. The 35-year-old, nicknamed Winkie, has been charged with introducing counterfeit money into the country. Earlier this month, the defender was arrested after arriving in the popular resort of Torremolinos. The Windsor Park star is currently being held on remand in the country's capital, Madrid, before being summoned to court in the city on Wednesday.

Obel Tower Is New Landmark

Described as a new era for architecture, and one year on since the first foundation stone was laid, Belfast's Obel Tower is already a recognisable feature on the city's skyline. Touted as one of Ireland's tallest buildings, the obelisk-shaped structure is rapidly taking form, according to contractor O'Hare & McGovern Ltd. They have said work is now well underway, having recently been selected by Constructing Excellence in Northern Ireland as a demonstration of Design Quality using Modern Methods of Construction. See: Belfast £75m Obel Tower: One Year On

Mountain Rescue

A woman had to be airlifted to hospital after breaking her ankle in the Mournes at the weekend. The victim, who is in her 30s, fell on Slieve Donard and had to be rescued by a helicopter from the Dublin Coastguard. It brought the woman to Daisy Hill Hospital in Newry on Sunday afternoon.

Coleraine Roads Investment

More than £4.2m is to be invested in Coleraine's roads, the NI Transport Minister has announced. Conor Murphy also revealed details of a proposed realignment to the bend on the Atlantic Road south of its junction with Islandtasserty Road, to improve the forward sight distance. Plans have also been put forward to improve the junction visibility lines of the Atlantic Road/Islandtasserty Road junction, known locally as 'Mathers Cross'.

(BMcC)