Gang Assault Man Hospitalised

A man has been left badly injured in hospital after being assaulted by men armed with iron bars at the weekend. The 20-year-old man was attacked by a gang of seven men wearing balaclavas at his home in Greenisland, Co Antrim. The gang forced their way into the house at Moyard Gardens in the early hours of Saturday and hit the man with iron bars. He suffered a broken elbow, cuts and bruising in the attack. However, his injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.

Blaze Forces Evacuation

Residents were moved from their homes for a time on Saturday night due to a fire in south Belfast. Firefighters were worried the fire in a derelict factory at Maldon Street off the Donegall Road would spread to neighbouring properties. At the height of the blaze six fire engines, along with other support appliances, fought it.

NI Quarry's Successful

A Co Down quarrying firm has defied the economic downturn by securing a massive roads contract in England. Stone from Craigantlet Quarry was used to build London's M25 motorway and the runways in some of the city's airports. NI Finance Minister Sammy Wilson recently met with the firm to hear how it succeeded within and beyond Northern Ireland, in the face of global challenges. He said it was encouraging to see local firms benefiting from the Executive's investment in infrastructure, aimed at bolstering the quarrying products industry: "Almost £1,700m in gross capital investment has been taken forward in 2008-09 with almost £1m a day of additional investment, providing a real boost to the local construction industry," said the Minister.

BMW Stolen

A "fairly rare" black BMW 730d is being sought in Warrenpoint, Co Down after it was taken the owner at about 9pm Friday. He had parked the car at Church Street and had just returned to it when it was taken. A police spokesman has appealed for anyone who spotted suspicious activity to contact them.

Demense Project Seeks Funds

Armagh Council has said it is looking for alternative funding to develop the city's Palace Demense into a public park. The announcement follows an unsuccessful application to the Heritage Lottery Fund who said the application was both comprehensive and professional, however there was a limited amount of funding available for the whole UK. It was recommended that the council considers dividing the original application for the Palace Park into smaller projects. Armagh Mayor Thomas O'Hanlon said: "The Palace Grounds belong to everyone across the city and district and we want to open up the grounds to the people and make it public space that everyone can enjoy and take ownership of. Councillors want to see the grounds being used on a daily basis by local residents, be it for walks, sports or major events."

(BMcC/JM)