Tent Stab Accused Remanded

A man accused of stabbing another camper at Tollymore Forest Park (pictured) earlier this month has been refused bail after it was revealed in court that he was found wandering around covered in blood and in shock. The High Court heard that David Higginson, 31, of no fixed address, is suspected of carrying out the attack near the 42-year-old victim's tent on 1 August. The accused and his 24-year-old girlfriend each face a charge of attempted murder. Refusing bail, the judge said he needed to know more about his mental state.

Accused Driver For Court

Following the tragic death of Elizabeth Compton, 83, from Cookstown, who was killed in a crash at the junction of Tamnamore Roundabout and Ballymakilly Road, Dungannon earlier this month, a 32-year-old man is due to appear at Omagh Magistrates Court on Tuesday charged with a number of motoring offences. He is charged with death by dangerous driving which relates to an accident in Dungannon on Tuesday 4 August when the victim died and four other people were injured when a car and a van collided.

Solider Murder Accused Refused Bail

The man accused of murdering two soldiers outside Masserene Barracks in Antrim was refused bail this week due to the risk of further offending. There were claims in court that he could die in prison if he contracts swine flu as lawyers for cystic fibrosis sufferer Brian Shivers, 44, claimed his illness meant the consequences of an outbreak while he is held in custody could be fatal. But despite their warnings, and the offer of £325,000 in cash and property as sureties, his application to the High Court for bail was turned down. Shivers, of Sperrin Mews, Magherafelt, Co Londonderry, is charged with the murders of sappers Mark Quinsey, 23, and Patrick Azimkar, 21, at the gates of Massereene Army barracks in Antrim in March. He is also accused of multiple attempted murders and possessing firearms and ammunition with intent in connection with the Real IRA ambush on soldiers collecting food from pizza delivery men.

Foster Launches Bioenergy Plans

Stormont Energy Minister Arlene Foster has called for views on the draft Bioenergy Action Plan, which sets out how Northern Ireland can capitalise on natural energy resources. Bioenergy is an organic based resource that can be grown or collected, including energy crops, wood products, farm by-products and food processing waste. Encouraging feedback on the draft plan, the Minister said: "The publication of this first cross departmental draft Bioenergy Action Plan sets out how bioenergy can make an increased contribution to a more sustainable energy future in Northern Ireland," and noted that bioenergy "has the potential to contribute to energy supply security, deliver carbon emission reductions and provide employment opportunities".

Dungannon Jobs Welcomed

The SDLP Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA Tommy Gallagher has welcomed the creation of 44 new jobs in the Dungannon food industry: "These jobs at the Dunbia plant are to be warmly welcomed. The local food industry needs to be sustained through the current difficult period and this is a pick-up for those who are fighting hard to keep jobs and the industry going in rural areas," he said, commenting that this news also comes at the same time another local company, McGee Butchers, created 100 new jobs in west Belfast, "Although the jobs were created in another area, the development strengthens a local company's future in the Dungannon area," he continued, noting, "I hope this is a sign of things to come and further strengthens the local food industry."

See: Food Industry Jobs Warmly Welcomed

(BMcC/KMcA)