River Body Recovered

The body of a young man has been recovered following a search of a Co Tyrone river. The missing man was named today as Dale Alexander, who was 21. He was reported to have been seen in difficulties in the River Mourne (pictured) in Sion Mills yesterday. His body was taken from the river shortly before 9pm on Monday evening.

Crime Against Gays In Focus

The NI Policing Board has welcomed the findings of new research into the perceptions and experiences of lesbian, gay and bisexual people towards homophobic hate crime and policing in Northern Ireland. The research, supported by both the PSNI and the Board, highlights that homophobic hate crime is still a significant factor for many of these people, and provides recommendations on how the PSNI can gain better co-operation from that community and improve perceptions of the Police Service.

Dentist Grilled Over Sex Images

The police involved in investigating murder-accused dentist Colin Howell have found a series of pornographic pictures. Howell, who has been charged with a double murder and sex offences, is to be quizzed by detectives over the images which may have been taken by Howell. Police are investigating Howell and co-accused Hazel Stewart (nee Buchanan) over the deaths of their former partners. Lesley Howell (31) and RUC officer Trevor Buchanan (32) were found dead in 1991 in a car filled with exhaust fumes in what police at the time thought was a suicide pact. But officers re-examined the case earlier this year and Howell and Stewart were charged with murder in February.

Further Remand Delays Extradition

A judge has again delayed a decision on whether an extradition hearing for a man allegedly linked to the Omagh bomb should take place in Dublin or Belfast. On Monday, Judge Tom Burgess again remanded Liam Campbell, 46, from Dundalk back in to custody. He is being sought in Lithuania over an alleged plot to buy weapons and explosives and ship them to Ireland. He was arrested last month after crossing the border into Co Armagh.

Bail For Murder Accused

A judge has allowed a Polish woman accused of murdering her lover in their Co Tyrone home High Court bail to stay at a shelter in Belfast. Aneta Sadowska, 36, is alleged to have used different knives to stab Marek Sewern, 37, through the heart and stomach a day after their son was christened. Mr Sewern, also a Polish national, was also beaten over the head with a blunt object - possibly an ashtray or frying pan - following a drinking session at the couple's flat in Omagh last December, according to prosecutors.

Mallusk Road Scheme Approved

Roads in Newtownabbey are to benefit from £2.3m investment, the Transport Minister has announced. Conor Murphy said works are planned for the second phase of carriageway widening and footway provision plus bridge and culvert replacement at Park Road in Mallusk. Around 700 metres of footway will be constructed on the southerly approach to Ballyeaston village, continuing along the Lower Ballyboley Road. A 100 metre extension of the M2 free flow lane off slip at Sandyknowes toward Scullions Road is also planned for this year.

(BMcC)