Other NI News In Brief

Cheers For NI Style!

As the winners of the 2011 Magners Light Style Awards were revealed at Belfast’s Café Vaudeville last week, host Pete Snodden was pictured with the winners of the Most Stylish Businessman and Businesswoman Awards, Barry Parke and Kristin Aiken. Barry is Managing Director of ThePrintLab Ltd, Belfast. Kristin is Marketing Manager for Autoline in Newry.

UFU Support Needed: MLA

The South Antrim Ulster Unionist MLA, Danny Kinahan has talked of his disgust at the proposal by Sinn Fein Minister of Agriculture Michell Gildernew to cut all the structural funding to the Young Farmers' Clubs of Ulster (YFCU). He said: "The future of farming is in the hands of the youth coming through now – the YFCU provides a vital platform for young people from rural communities along with the excellent training, educational and leisure opportunities essential to strengthen the network of farmers across the Province and the region. I have arranged to meet with representatives from the YFCU later this week and will be tabling a range of questions directly to the Minister at the earliest opportunity. This decision not only affects the rural community – but all of us," he concluded.

Murderer Returns To Dock

Convicted murderer Colin Howell has told a court what led him to confess to the murders of his wife and the policeman husband of his then mistress. Today, he began giving evidence at Coleraine Crown Court in the murder trial of his former lover Hazel Stewart. Howell has already pleaded guilty to killing his wife Lesley and Trevor Buchanan but, Hazel Stewart, 47, denies the 1991 double murder. The former dentist, who is serving a 21-year sentence at Maghaberry prison, had poisoned the pair with exhaust fumes as they slept. He then tried to make it look as if they had taken their own lives in a suicide pact. Mrs Stewart, from Ballystrone Road, Coleraine, denies entering into a joint-enterprise with Howell to murder their respective partners and told the police it was his plan and that she wanted nothing to do with it.

Solicitor Backs 'Briefs'

Alliance Councillor Tom Campbell has welcomed the announcement by NI Justice Minister David Ford that he would extend solicitors' rights of audience in the higher courts in Northern Ireland. Councillor Campbell, a member of Newtownabbey Borough Council but also a practising solicitor, said he welcomed the move that was in the public interest. He said: "At present solicitors only have rights of audience in the High Court and the Court of Appeal but only with the agreement of the Court and this is rarely seen. However, over recent years a solicitors' advanced advocacy course has been available enabling those who wish to conduct representation in the higher courts to develop separate skills. The Minister's scheme will enshrine in law a legal scheme to set at a statutory level training and experience requirements for authorisation. The new law will also contain provision to ensure proper standards of advocacy are maintained." See: 'Briefs' To Replace NI Barristers?

Stabbing Case For Court

A 25-year-old man is due in court this morning charged in relation to an attack that left another man in a serious condition in hospital. The man will appear before Laganside Magistrates Court charged with attempted murder and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place. The charges relate to an attack on Saturday evening when a 25 year-old man was stabbed in the head and neck on the Andersonstown Road and remains in a serious condition in hospital.

Orange Attacks Condemned

The DUP MLA for East Londonderry, George Robinson has condemned two attacks on Orange Halls, the Largy and Edenmore, in the Limavady Borough in recent weeks. "These attacks are petty, sectarian and carried out to try and provoke a reaction. I believe that such attack on orange halls which provide premises for the benefit of local communities can only be utterly condemned," he said, noting no major damage has been caused by the "sectarian thugs who carried them out".

IFTAs Awarded

The winners of the 8th Annual Irish Film & Television Awards were announced at a gala ceremony held at Dublin's Convention Centre at the weekend. Áine Moriarty Chief Executive of the Irish Film & Television Academy said: "In what has been a wonderful night of celebration for the Irish film and television industry, the Academy has honoured the year's finest achievements from Irish directors, writers, actors, filmmakers and television productions. "Our deepest congratulations go to all of this year's nominees and winners." See: IFTAs Success Celebrated

Stardust Recalled

Relatives of victims of the tragic Stardust disco fire in Dublin have vowed to step up their campaign to seek justice as they prepare to hold a candlelit vigil this evening to mark the 30th anniversary of the fire. A total of 48 people died as a result of the nightclub blaze in Artane, Dublin, in the early hours of St Valentine's Day, 1981. A Mass was held at St Joseph's Church in Coolock yesterday to remember the victims, and a wreath was laid at the Stardust memorial park.

Galway Bay Body Shock

The body of a man has been found on the shoreline of an uninhabited island in Galway Bay this morning. It was located on Rabbitt Island near the entrance to Galway Harbour by the Shannon-based coastguard helicopter. Gardai say they are trying to establish if it is that of a man who was seen falling into the River Corrib last evening or if that of another man who was reported missing on 30 January. An air and sea search of the bay is continuing involving the coastguard helicopter, inshore lifeboats and emergency services personnel are involved. The body of the man recovered is being taken to Galway University Hospital for a post mortem examination.

(BMcC)