Other News In Brief

Explosives Used On Cash Machine

Money has been stolen from a cash machine in Co Armagh after thieves placed explosives on the device.

The incident happened at Rice's supermarket in Keady at around 2.15am on Wednesday.

Police attended the scene after a loud bang was reported in the area. When they arrived, they found the front panel of the ATM damaged and money had been stolen.

Army bomb disposal experts are investigating the scene.

The attack has been condemned by local politicians.

Sinn Féin MLA Cathal Boylan visited the scene and said: "I have spoken to staff and customers of Rice's supermarket and they are shocked at what has happened. This latest incident comes just weeks after an ATM was targeted in the same fashion in Hamiltonsbawn.

"Rural communities rely on these amenities and for them to be targeted in this war by criminal elements is extremely damaging for local people. This is the second such incident in recent weeks and local people are worried that it is the same perpetrators at work. Those responsible have shown little regard for the local community."

Fund Launches To Help Disadvantaged Children

Three and four-year-olds from low-income families are to benefit from a new £50 million fund unveiled today helping to prevent them falling behind before they have even started school.

The new early years pupil premium, worth over £300 per pupil, is designed to narrow the attainment gap between young children from low-income families and their peers, setting them on the path to a more successful future.

According to research, children from low-income families are estimated to already be 19 months behind more advantaged peers when they start school. High-quality early education can close this gap and improve results later on in life.

The early years pupil premium aims to help nurseries raise the quality of their provision and today's consultation will look at how best to make it work.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said: "Every child deserves the chance to fulfil their potential, and this extra funding is a boost to help our youngest children get on in life and succeed.

"Boys and girls from poorer families have often already fallen 19 months behind their better off classmates by the time they hang up their coat on the first day of school. Increasing their chances of success has got to be a top priority."

Miller To Build Two New Schools In Wales

Miller Construction has been appointed to build two new schools in Holyhead, North Wales.

The £30m 'learning campus' is part of a four-year North Wales Schools and Public Buildings Contractor Framework.

The Framework covers approximately 15 projects which are to be delivered by a combination of Denbighshire County Council, Conwy County Borough Council, Gwynedd County Council, Wrexham County Borough Council, the Isle of Anglesey County Council and Flintshire County Council which owns the Holywell scheme.

The two new schools will be constructed on land at the top of the existing school playing field to prevent the current High School being disrupted. The single-storey primary school will offer 315 pupil places and replace current local infants and junior schools. The three-storey secondary school will offer 600 places and replace the existing High School on this site.

Both are due to open from September 2016.

(CVS/CD)