Other NI News In Brief

Road Tragedy

A man has been killed in a car crash on the main road between Strabane and Londonderry on Sunday night. The accident happened on the Victoria Road at about 10.30pm. The name of the person who was killed has not yet been released and the Victoria Road has been closed following the accident and diversions put in place.

Second Flat Fall Arrest

A 25-year-old woman has been arested in north Belfast in connection with the death five months ago of a man who plunged from a ninth floor balcony. James Murray, 19, fell to his death from apartments at King Street near the city centre last December. The PSNI says the woman has been taken to Antrim police station for questioning. A man has already been charged with Mr Murray's murder at what was believed to be a Christmas party.

Ballyclare Murder Probe Arrest

A 55-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the murder of Pauline Haveron in Ballyclare. The 53-year-old nurse was found in her Huntingdale home almost a month ago. She had been strangled. Last month, a 55-year-old man was arrested and then released in the days following the killing. See: Policeman Link To Ballyclare Murder

Lurgan Police Attacked

A blast bomb and petrol bombs have been thrown at PSNI officers dealing with a security alert in Co Armagh. A number of other missiles have been thrown at officers at the scene of the alert in Lake Street, Lurgan. There are no reports of any injuries. Earlier a number of houses were evacuated due to the alert, caused by a suspicious object.

Hijacking Condemned

The SDLP West Belfast Councillor Tim Attwood has condemned hijackers who stole a car on the Springfield Road after beating the owner in the early hours of Saturday morning. "This sort of anti-social behaviour is doing the area no favours at all and the good people of West Belfast are totally fed up with it. Unfortunately, this comes only a matter of days since the PSNI Car Crime Unit was closed in the constituency," he fumed. "This type of incident shows the need to continue this unit and help to strengthen the good relationship between the police and the local people since its implementation ten years ago. I hope the victim of this latest incident makes a speedy recovery from his injuries and is able to put the incident behind him. I urge anybody with information about this to pass it to the police."

Golf Club Damaged

A break-in and damage to three golf buggies at Knock Golf Club have been described as "mindless vandalism". DUP MLA for East Belfast, Robin Newton said: "On two occasions within the past week the golf club has suffered damage to property and had three golf buggies vandalised. There can be no excuse for this level of stupid behaviour. Such damage to property serves no purpose except to cause problems and nuisance to all those, from all sections and backgrounds of the community, who use the golf club facility. The police are involved and are treating the matter as serious criminal damage. I am calling on anyone who has information on this wanton vandalism to make contact with the PSNI," he said.

School Damaged In Arson Attack

A west Belfast school has been extensively damaged following an arson attack over the weekend. CCTV footage captured the culprit setting a fire to the oratory of St Mary's Christian Brothers School on Saturday evening. Police are now searching for the arsonist. The assembly hall was also damaged, disrupting exams that were due to take place today. A number of religious artefacts were also reportedly damaged in the blaze. The principal, Jim Sheerin, said the cost of repairs would be £200,000 and noted that the assembly hall was also damaged and exams due to take place on Monday have been disrupted.

Lisburn Road Charabanc

The LRBA (Lisburn Road Business Association) in conjunction with Belfast City Council are launching a new initiative, the Lisburn Road Courtesy Bus, which provides people with an opportunity to leave the car behind and discover the retail, cultural and culinary gems the Lisburn Road has to offer. The bus departs from outside the back of the City Hall and drops off at four stops along the Lisburn Road, before returning to the city centre for the next pick-up. The bus will run every half hour from 11am to 4pm on Saturdays.

(BMcC/GK)