On this day in Northern Ireland news history

Storm Arwen: Yellow Warning Issued For High Winds
A yellow weather warning for wind has been issued across Northern Ireland as the first named storm of the season, Storm Arwen, hits the UK. The Met Office has warned of very strong winds, with gusts up to 60mph/100km/h in exposed areas.

People Urged To 'Paws For Thought' Before Buying A Puppy
People looking for a pet dog have been urged to "paws for thought" before making a purchase to make sure the seller is legitimate.

Young People Urged To Get Vaccinated This Weekend
Young people are being encouraged to take full advantage of the opportunity to get vaccinated this weekend when Trusts will be running clinics for the 12 to 17 age groups.

Survivors Central To Tackling Violence Against Women And Girls
The voices and experiences of survivors must be central in the efforts to tackle violence against women and girls, the First Minister and deputy First Minister have said.

New Cross-Border Economic Growth Partnership Established
A new cross-border partnership established to foster economic growth between Belfast and Dublin, a key strategic route, has announced its inaugural political leadership team.

Health Minister Urges People To Be 'Mouth Aware'
Health Minister Robin Swann has urged people to be "mouth aware" and check for signs of mouth cancer. Marking Mouth Cancer Awareness Month, Minister Swann visited Dunmurry Dental Practice, where he praised the vital work of dental professionals in checking for signs and symptoms of mouth cancer.

Education Minister Launches Series Of New NI100 Resources
A series of new resources, including 'A Time Capsule for 2021' and 'Life in the 1920's' curricular projects for schools, have been announced as part of the Department of Education's NI100 Education Programme.

New Awards Scheme Announced For Use Of Irish Language In Businesses
A new awards scheme has been announced to promote the use and recognition of the Irish language in businesses by Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey.

Infrastructure Minister Visits Shimna River Flood Alleviate Works
Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon has visited the site of a £5.1 million flood alleviation scheme for the Shimna River in Newcastle.

UHRW Calls For Public Inquiry Into La Mon Bombing
The Ulster Human Rights Watch (UHRW) has called for a Public Inquiry into the La Mon terrorist atrocity which killed 12 people and injured 23 more on 17 February 1978. In 2014, the then Secretary of State rejected calls for a Public Inquiry on grounds of insufficient evidence.

Collaborative Effort Needed To Stop Crime Gangs Exploiting Communities - Long
Following a recent discovery the illegal drugs had been hidden in a shipment of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), Justice Minister Naomi Long has called for a collaborative effort to "stop crime groups exploiting our community".

NI Water Announce 10-Year Plan To Plant 1 Million Trees
As Northern Ireland's second biggest landowner, NI Water has launched an ambitious 10-year plan to plant at least 1 million trees. The initiative has been undertaken as planting trees improves water quality, captures carbon, mitigate floods and enhances the natural environment.

Appeal For Information Following West Belfast Robbery
Police have issued an appeal for information following a report of an armed robbery at business premises at the Beechmount Avenue area of west Belfast this morning – Thursday 26th November.

£850m Regional Investment Initiative Nearing 'Important Milestone'
An £850 million investment in regional transformational projects across the innovation and digital, tourism and regeneration, infrastructure, and employability is nearing "an important milestone", according to the Belfast Region City Deal (BRCD) Council Panel.

NI's First Ever Clean Air Strategy Launched
With some 800 deaths per year associated with air pollution, Northern Ireland's first ever Clean Air Strategy has been launched by Environment Minister Edwin Poots.

Students Urged To Protect Their Homes And Property From Burst Pipes
NI Water has urged students to protect their homes and property against burst pipes as winter begins to set in. The company is advising students about the devastating effects a burst pipe can have on the property they are renting.

Crumlin Hairdressers Damaged In Shooting
An investigation has been launched after shots were fired at a local business in Crumlin. The incident took place at around 1.40am this morning, 26 November, at a hairdressers shop on Main Street. A number of shots were fired through the front window of the shop, but no injuries were reported.

One Arrest Over Armed Robbery In North Belfast
A 25 year-old man has been arrested following an armed robbery of an off-licence in north Belfast. The Ballysillan Road business was targeted shortly after 10pm on Monday evening, 25 November by three males wearing balaclavas, one of whom was armed with a suspected firearm.

Four Men Due In Court Over Kevin Lunney Abduction
Four men are to appear in court later today charged with the abduction of Kevin Lunney. The prominent Co Fermanagh businessman, a director at Quinn Industrial Holdings (QIH), was kidnapped near his home in Derrylin and brutally beaten before being dumped by the roadside on 17 September.

Child Picks Up Bomb Components In Newry
Component parts of a bomb that sparked a security alert in Newry were picked up by a child, it has emerged. The Alliance Party has condemned those responsible for planting the device and exposing the child to potentially fatal consequences.

Public Urged To Fit Audible Carbon Monoxide Alarms
Members of the public are being urged to ensure their home has an audible carbon monoxide alarm. While it is now compulsory for all new homes to have the alarms installed, the potentially life-saving devices should also be installed in older homes, local government services have advised.

Council Seeks Views On Sundays In Belfast City Centre
Members of the public are being encouraged to submit their views on how to attract new visitors into Belfast city centre on Sundays.

PSNI Issue Driving Warning After Weekend Collisions
A number of road traffic collisions in Fermanagh over the weekend has sparked a warning from local police. PSNI in Fermanagh attended a number of incidents this past weekend, claiming it was "a miracle" nobody was killed.

Appeal For Missing Man In Belfast
Police are appealing for help in the search for missing man Robert Darling. The PSNI branch in Belfast City Centre is leading the search for the 40-year-old. Robert is around 5ft 8" tall and of medium build.

Shop Local This Christmas
With less than a month until Christmas, shoppers are being urged to visit local businesses for as many purchases as possible.

£1m Lisburn Housing Project Creates 25 Industry Jobs
A £1 million housing development under construction in Lisburn has created 25 jobs. The project at Wallace Gate will see six new homes built, with the first units expected to be complete by February 2020.

New Fund To Assist Businesses In Completely Customs Declarations
Businesses are being encouraged to apply for funding to help complete customs declarations, in preparation for the UK leaving the EU.

DUP Meet With NI Business Community
DUP Leader Arlene Foster MLA has met with 30 representatives of the Northern Ireland business community in Stormont, alongside MEP Diane Dodds and Westminster Trade spokesperson Emma Little-Pengelly MP.

New Workplace Guidance On Sexual Violence Welcomed
Belfast Lord Mayor, Councillor Deirdre Hargey, has welcomed new Workplace Guidance published by the Department of Health and Department of Justice on how employers can increase awareness and respond more effectively to domestic and sexual violence and abuse.

Man Arrested In Comber Drug Raid
A 38-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of drug-related offences following a planned search of a property in Comber, on Saturday, 24 November.

Appeal For Information Following Aggravated Burglary In Portadown
The PSNI have issued an appeal for information following an aggravated burglary in Portadown on Sunday, 25 November. At approximately 8.30pm last night a number of three masked men entered the home of a man, aged in his 80s, on the Derrylettiff Road.

US Software Firm Announces New Belfast Training Places
A number of high quality pre-employment training places in the emerging field of DevOps have been announced by US software company Bazaarvoice. The company opened a Belfast office in June this year, creating 170 new jobs.

Woman And Child Escape Injury After L'Derry Arson Attack
A young mother and child have escaped injury after an arson attack on their home in L'Derry. Shortly before 10pm on Sunday 26 November at a house in the Galliagh Park area of the city, a sofa was shoved against the front door of a house and two wheelie bins were shoved against the back door.

Young Man Dies In Ballycastle Collision
A young man has died and two others injured in a serious collision in County Antrim. Sean McAlonan, who was in his 20's, lost his life in the crash in Ballycastle shortly before 6am on Sunday 25 November.

New App Launches To Promote Gaeltacht Quarter
A new app has launched to promote Belfast's Gaeltacht Quarter. The 'Slí na Gaeltachta' app provides an interactive platform for people to immerse themselves in the Gaeltacht Quarter.

Accountancy Firm Employees Arrested On Suspicion Of Tax Evasion
Four employees of the Belfast office of accountancy firm KPMG have been arrested on suspicion of tax evasion. Officials from Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs made the arrests on Wednesday. KPMG said the four men have been placed on "administrative leave".

Young Girl Approached In L'Derry
Police are appealing for information after a young girl was approached by men in a van in L'Derry. The incident happened in the Creggan area at around 4.15pm on Wednesday. The nine-year-old girl was walking in the Creggan area when a white van pulled up beside her.

Two NI Men Who Died On A Construction Site In Australia Named
Two men from Northern Ireland who died on a construction site in Australia have been named as Joe McDermott and Gerard Bradley. Mr Bradley from Portstewart and Mr McDermott from Omagh were crushed by a concrete slab in Perth on Wednesday morning. The men were both in their 20s.

Security Alert In L'Derry Ends
A security alert in L'Derry has ended. A controlled explosion was carried out on a viable device in the Feeney area in Dungiven on Wednesday. The alert began after police received a report of an anonymous call on Tuesday.

PSNI Issue Drink Drive Warning
The PSNI have issued a drink drive warning and revealed 270 people were caught over the limit last year.

Man Stabbed In North Belfast
A 28-year-old man has been stabbed in north Belfast. The incident happened in the Strathroy Park area at around 6.15pm on Wednesday. Four hooded men stabbed the victim in the arm at the front door of his home. His injuries are not believed to be life threatening.

Call For PSNI And Prosecution Service To Address Failings In Preparing Case Files
The PSNI and the Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland need to address significant failings in preparing case files, according to the Chief Inspector for Criminal Justice in Northern Ireland.

Police To Investigate MLAs Expenses
A police investigation is to be carried out into allegations of "potential criminality" in MLAs expenses.

NEELB Agrees To School Transport Plans
The North Eastern Education and Library Board (NEELB) has agreed to provide transport for the siblings of a boy who was killed in a road accident in Cloughmills, Co Antrim earlier this month.

Convicted Murderer Fails To Return To Prison
A 51-year-old convicted murderer is on the run after he failed to return to Maghaberry Prison following home leave. William Sloan was jailed in 1989 for the murder of 39-year-old James Hamilton.

Christmas Shoppers Warned Over Online Bargains
Christmas shoppers are being urged to be cautious when shopping online, with smartphones and games consoles topping the 'Risky Christmas Gift List'.

New Community Centre Opens In West Belfast
A new £30,000 Community Hub has opened in west Belfast.

Finance Minister Brings Google To Belfast
Finance Minister Simon Hamilton MLA has helped to bring Google to Belfast to help small businesses grow their online presence.

Refurb Project For L'Derry Gateway
A total of £268,000 is to be invested in a public realm scheme on Carlisle Road, L'Derry. Carlisle Road is a major shopping street within the city of Derry and is a link between Craigavon Bridge and the Walled City. The street also lies within the Historic City Conservation Area.

Justice Minister 'Not Opposed' To Cross-Border Inquiry
Justice Minister David Ford said he is "not opposed" to the principle of a cross-border inquiry into allegations of sexual abuse carried out by members of the republican movement.

Almac Group Secures Licensing Deal With Genomic Health
Craigavon based Almac Group has secured a major licensing deal with US company Genomic Health.

Firm Fined For Acting Without Licence
The owner of a scrap metal firm has a admitted keeping, depositing and treating controlled waste without a licence. Robert John Mulholland of Mulholland Scrap Metals Ltd, based at Maine Road, Shanksbridge, Ballymena, County Antrim, has been fined £45,000.

PUP Councillor Advises Against Holding Protests On Saturdays
Belfast PUP councillor Dr John Kyle has said that he would advise organisers of a protest due to be held in the city centre "not to do it on a Saturday".

Bandsmen Guilty Of Breaking Parade Conditions
Parading conditions were broken by two bandsmen who played The Sash outside a Catholic Church.

Police Step Up Patrols Following Sunday's Partial Explosion
Vehicle checkpoints have been set up across Belfast in the wake of a partial explosion in Belfast city centre on Sunday night. A car was left at the entrance to an underground car park at Victoria Square at around 21:30 on Sunday.

Christmas Parking Rates For NI Towns
Twenty-five towns in Northern Ireland are to benefit from a special Christmas parking rate, it has been revealed. The Department for Regional Development has said some 95 car parks will be affiliated with the rate, with five hours of parking costing motorists just £1.

Woman Jailed Over False Rape Claim
A Co Antrim woman, who made a false rape claim against her ex-boyfriend after he ended their relationship, has been sentenced to three months in jail. Natasha Foster, 23 and from Ballymena, told police two years ago that her partner had sexually attacked her.

Man Released Over Kevin Kearney Murder
A 33-year-old man arrested in connection with the murder of Kevin Kearney has been released. On Monday, police arrested the man in connection with Mr Kearney's death. He is believed to have been killed by dissident republicans in north Belfast last month.

Police Search North West England In Kerr Murder Investigation
Detectives investigating the murder of policeman Ronan Kerr are carrying out searches in Northern Ireland and north west England. Constable Kerr, 25, was killed after a bomb was put under his car by dissident republicans at his home in Omagh last year.

Minister Disappointed At Decision On Public Service Pension Reform
Finance Minister Sammy Wilson has today made clear his disappointment that the Executive has failed to agree to the use of a Legislative Consent Motion (LCM) that would allow for the reform of public service pensions in Northern Ireland.

Pat Finucane Report To Be Published Next Month
A report into the murder of Belfast solicitor, Pat Finucane, will be published on Wednesday 12th December, the Northern Ireland Office (NIO) has announced. The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Theresa Villiers said: "A statement will be made to this House at the time the Report is published.

Woman Threatened By Armed Man
A woman who was working in a shop in L'Derry has been threatened by an armed man. The incident took place at around 4.50pm at Mountjoy Terrace on Sunday. The robber got away with a sum of money. The staff member was badly shaken.

Call For H&S Action Plan At Altnagelvin Hospital
SDLP Foyle MLA Pat Ramsey has expressed deep concern at the possibility that health and safety concerns around the Altnagelvin Hospital tower block which caught fire tonight were not immediately acted on and has called for an immediate inspection.

Anaconda Equipment International Scoops Business In Colombia
Invest Northern Ireland Chief Executive Alastair Hamilton has announced that Anaconda Equipment International in Cookstown has won significant business in Colombia for its innovative machinery.

Annual Survey On The Costs Of Childcare Launches
Junior Ministers Jennifer McCann and Jonathan Bell were the key note speakers at today's launch of the annual survey on the costs of childcare from Employers for Childcare.

Major Export Deal Announced For Kettyle Irish Foods
Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster has announced a major export deal for Kettyle Irish Foods in Lisnaskea that could be worth over £1.2million over the next 12 months. The contract involves the supply of a new, sustainably produced Fermanagh bacon to one of Europe's top retailers.

Record Number Take Part In Over 300 NI Events
Environment Minister Alex Attwood has confirmed that 61,100 people took part in over 300 events across Northern Ireland during this year's European Heritage Open Days (EHOD) in September.

Durkan Backs NI's National Homelessness Week
SDLP Social Development spokesperson Mark H Durkan has given his backing to the Council for the Homeless NI's National Homelessness Week.

Four Year Plan Still A 'Failed Policy'
The Irish Government's highly controversial Four Year Plan has been met with hostility by the State's leading unions, who claim the plan is no more than the continuation of "failed policies".

Police Fire Shot To Quell Trouble
The police have fire a shot to halt a Co Armagh fracas - with two men arrested at the scene. The circumstances behind the single shot being fired by a police officer during the disturbance in Portadown is now to be investigated. The incident took place in the Obins Street area shortly after 8.

NI Farm Payments 'Eclipse UK'
With a series of meetings due to be held in the New Year for NI farmers to discuss the coming reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), a senior European Union official has been outlining the EC's view on the way ahead.

Fianna Fail Concedes By-Election
Fianna Fail have conceded the Donegal by-election after the Sinn Fein candidate streaked ahead in the unofficial tally. Favourite, Sinn Féin Senator Pearse Doherty has had a significant lead over the other candidates in the controversial election for much of the day.

NI Farm Payments 'Eclipse UK'
With a series of NI meetings due to be held in the New Year for farmers to discuss the coming reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), a senior European Union official has been outlining the EC's view on the way ahead.

'Boys' To Pass Ardoyne On Derry Road
A loyal order feeder parade by the Apprentice Boys will be allowed to pass the nationalist Ardoyne shops on the main Crumlin Road next weekend. However, a contentious lodge, the ABOD Ligoniel Walker Club were told by the Parades Commission yesterday that they are not permitted to march with a band.

Eco Homeowners' Heating Bill '£5 Weekly'
NI's first 'A Grade' eco friendly private development has been welcomed by an Executive Minister - and hailed as 'heartening' because it is offering heating costs of just £5 weekly.

Conway Mill 'Hope For The Future': McGuinness
The Stormont Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness has described the £5m Conway Mill project in west Befast as a 'shining example' of how NI's economy can work in a sustainable way.

Airport Residents Concerned At City Move
Local residents have voiced their concern at the decision by airline bmibaby to switch its operations from Belfast International Airport to George Best Belfast City Airport. The change of gateway airport will see up to 48 weekly flights leaving from the City rather than Aldergrove.

NI Immigrant Influx Slows
The number of people coming to NI from Europe and other places has slowed. Official figures published on Thursday showed that immigration into Northern Ireland has slowed, it has been revealed.

Conway Mill 'Hope For The Future': McGuinness
The Stormont Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness has described the £5m Conway Mill project in west Befast as a 'shining example' of how NI's economy can work in a sustainable way.

Boiler Servicing Supports Cancer Charity
A local NI heating provider has teamed up with the Ulster Cancer Foundation (UCF) to launch a new 'Community Pay and Donate Scheme'. By booking a domestic gas or oil boiler service with Solv Group consumers donate £5 of the cost of the service to UCF - at no extra cost.

Dáil Four Year Plan 'Failed Policy'
The Irish Government's highly controversial Four Year Plan has been met with hostility by leading unions, who claim the plan is no more than the continuation of "failed policies".

Ballymena Roads' Progress Reported
NI Transport Minister Conor Murphy has welcomed Roads Service's progress on investment totalling £6.2million in the Ballymena Borough Council area this year.

Curtain Opens On Derry Theatre
McCausland opens newly refurbished Playhouse Theatre Arts Minister Nelson McCausland today officially opened the newly refurbished Playhouse Theatre in Londonderry.

London Justice Talks Renewed
Northern Ireland's First and Deputy First Ministers will hold further talks with Gordon Brown in London today, aimed at breaking the continued deadlock over devolving policing and justice powers to the Stormont Assembly. The two ministers will meet Mr Brown separately.

iPhone 'Awakin The Titanic'
A new iPhone application supported by Invest NI and the European Regional Development Fund has been launched. The 'app' is the first to be developed with funding from the Northern Ireland Screen Product Development Fund.

Custom House Water Feature Lauded
One of Belfast's best-known city centre water features has been recognised with a top UK award. Custom House Square's liquid creation gained a special commendation at the Marsh Fountain Society's 2009 awards ceremony held in London.

Third Of MLAs Employ Family
Forty-one of Northern Ireland's 108 MLAs employ family members using their Assembly allowance, it has been officially revealed. The details of members' interests, including additional earnings, have now been published on the Assembly's website.

McDowell Beaten At Festive Market
There was again little sign of festive cheer last night as a newspaper editor was badly beaten by a gang outside Belfast City Hall.

Priest Bailed As Abuse Report Published
A Co Antrim priest - who has already ceased his ministry over allegations of child-sex abuse - has been arrested and then bailed by the Metropolitan Police in London.

Oglaigh na hEireann 'Planted Bomb'
Ardoyne-based republicans are being balmed for the failed weekend bomb attack on the NI Policing Board. It has emerged that the republican dissident group Oglaigh na hEireann (ONH) was suspected of the 400lb car bomb attack.

Gardaí Move On ATM Thieves
Over a dozen people have been arrested in connection with the theft of Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) in the south eastern and eastern regions of the Irish Republic.

Fermanagh Floods As Belfast 'Protected'
A woman who was stranded in her home near Newtownbutler, Co Fermanagh, by rising floodwaters has been rescued by the police. The woman receives medical care at home, but could not be reached because the water was too deep for an ambulance.

Foyle Peace Bridge Plan Approved
Plans to build a £13.5m 'peace bridge' over Londonderry's Foyle have been given the go-ahead. The new structure has been described as the most significant infrastructure project in Derry city for almost 40 years.

Kids Eye-up 'Spec'tacular 3D Films
Youngsters are in for a real treat at one of this year's top film festivals, as they will get the chance to feast their eyes on a selection of the finest 3D animations.

Young Peoples' Rally Driving Accelerates
A new programme for NI teens is being put into practice as a Co Armagh motorsports business revs-up in pursuit of practical driving skills.

Jailed Killer Warranted 'Severe Punishment'
A Ballymurphy killer has been handed an 11-year jail sentence. Francisco Antonio Notarantonio, 21, of Whitecliff Parade, Belfast was jailed for the manslaughter of Gerard Devlin whose death was witnessed by both his partner and the victim's six children.

European Parliament Could Assist Maze Development, Says President
Controversial plans for a conflict resolution centre at the former-Maze prison site, near Lisburn, could get a boost from the European Parliament, it has been announced.

Stormont Rally Stalls
There will be no high-octane Stormont launch for the World Rally Championships first event of 2009.

City Centre Traffic Discussed
Just a few weeks after the tragic death of a schoolgirl - knocked down by a bus in Royal Avenue - the Northern Ireland Roads Minister Conor Murphy has met with the Mayor of Belfast, Tom Hartley, to discuss traffic management in Belfast city centre.

Protect Local Broadcasting, Says Assembly
The Stormont Assembly has this week called for the protection of public service broadcasting and for UTV to suspend its restructuring and redundancy programme.

Work Kicks Off At £30m NI Record Office
Construction work has commenced on Northern Ireland's new £30m Public Record Office in Belfast's Titanic Quarter. Stormont Ministers Nigel Dodds and Gregory Campbell welcomed the scheme as a "much needed investment in cultural infrastructure".

Honour For Irish Serviceman Killed In Afghanistan
The Irishman killed serving with the Royal Marines in Afghanistan is to be remembered on an engraved Peace Park 'wall' in Co Mayo.

European Parliament Could Assist Maze Development, Says EC President
Controversial plans for a conflict resolution centre at the former-Maze prison site, near Lisburn, could get a boost from the European Parliament, it has been announced.

Traditional Music In Focus
There has been a call to put more resources into the traditional arts in Northern Ireland. A Sinn Féin MLA has called on the NI Arts Council to recruit a full time member of staff for a role as a Traditional Arts Officer.

Desperate Attempts To Locate Discs Moves To Belfast
An increasingly desperate search for the now notorious lost computer discs containing data on 25 million child benefits claimants moved to Belfast at the weekend.

N I Water Says Consultancy Fee Claim Is 'Misleading'
Northern Ireland Water has come out fighting by described reports that it spent £16m in six months on consultancy fees as "misleading". A spokeswoman said £12m had been spent on "the design and build of complex infrastructure projects.

Burial Of Tragic Omagh Fire Victims Delayed
One of the most tragic stories to have yet emerged in Northern Ireland is getting a further twist as the families of the seven victims of the recent house fire in Omagh are now involved in a bitter dispute over where the bodies should be buried.

Double Tragedy Averted As Belfast Adventurer Saved From Icy Waters
The Belfast man plucked from a sinking cruise liner in freezing Antarctic waters on Friday is due home this week in east Belfast, where the retired headmaster's family is doubly thankful for his deliverance.

Promised Maternity Hospital On Hold
The closure of south Belfast's Jubilee Maternity Hospital seven years ago has so far failed to trigger a promised £360m women and children's hospital, which now looks like facing further delays.

Reid Workers To be Paid Soon
Former workers at the doomed haulage company, Reid Transport, should receive outstanding wages, statutory holiday pay and redundancy settlements in good time for Christmas.

Rates Announcement Follows Day of Division
After a day in which the DUP accused both the Ulster Unionists and the SDLP of 'trying to bring down the Assembly', things turned today to the less contentious matter of rates.

British-Irish Meeting Highlighting Quinn Murder
The controversial - and brutal - murder of 21-year Paul Quinn in County Monaghan last month is to dominate proceedings at a meeting of the British-Irish Inter-Parliamentary Body in Oxfordshire later today.

Border Road Crash Claims Young Life
A young man, aged 21, has been killed and three other people have been injured in a car accident near Muff, County Donegal, just across the border with Northern Ireland. The man who died is believed to have been driving. No other vehicle was involved in the crash which happened at Drumhaggart at 4.

Desperate Attempts To Locate Discs Moves To Belfast
An increasingly desperate search for the now notorious lost computer discs containing data on 25 million child benefits claimants moved to Belfast at the weekend.

Winter Fair To Bring Country To Town
The farming community is preparing for the biggest event in the local agricultural winter calendar, the Royal Ulster Winter Fair at Balmoral.

Coleraine Housing Development Shelters Dementia Sufferers
A new sheltered dwelling facility for dementia sufferers has been officially opened in Coleraine. Assembly First Minister Ian Paisley was on hand to launch the state of the art housing project, the Brook Centre of Excellence,.

Cattle Farmers Help Breed New Talent
Specialist cattle breeders, the British Blue Cattle Club NI have taken a shine to a young dance troop and have urged support for an international trip to compete in a major dance event.

Daphne Trimble fails in UUP Lagan Valley candidacy bid
The wife of Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble has failed in her bid to stand as a UUP candidate in Lagan Valley at the next general election following the defection of Jeffrey Donaldson to the DUP.

Cannabis seized by police in north Belfast
Detectives from the PSNI Drugs Squad have recovered over 100 kilos of cannabis resin with a street value of £1.5 million in North Belfast on Thursday. The haul was recovered from a white transit van that was stopped by officers on the Fortwilliam Roundabout shortly before 11am.

Mortgage lending falls for fifth consecutive month
The latest figures from the British Banking Association (BBA) have revealed that mortgage lending has fallen for the fifth successive month and the market value for mortgages is down for the second year in a row. The BBA said that gross mortgage lending in October, which stood at £15.

Two Invest NI backed company expansions create 26 jobs
Two company expansions backed by Invest NI will help create 26 new jobs at two separate firms announced today.

Antrim firm secures China recycling contract
An Antrim-based specialist in recycling plastics has secured a first time export business in China that is expected to be worth around £400,000 over the next 12 months.

Research & Development spend in NI falls
Research and Development (R&D) expenditure in Northern Ireland has shown a decrease on the previous year, the Government revealed today.

Delegates hear how language can 'shape or wreck' peace
The way that language can shape or wreck peace deals came under scrutiny today at an international conference, entitled ‘When Words Collide’, at the University of Ulster’s Magee campus.

UCF welcome fall in cigarette sales on ban
The Ulster Cancer Foundation has welcomed today’s news that cigarette sales in the Republic of Ireland have fallen by 17% since the introduction of a smoking ban in pubs and restaurants in March.

The Prince’s Trust to celebrate success across NI
The achievements of young people and volunteers from across Northern Ireland will be honoured by The Prince’s Trust at a high profile awards ceremony next week. The Oscars-style event, Celebrate Success, will take place at the W5 in the Odyssey Arena on Thursday 2nd December between 2pm and 5pm.

Lottery cash transforms childcare in Newtownards estate
A Newtownards childcare project has been transformed thanks to a cash injection from the Big Lottery Fund. Little Doves Community Playgroup secured grants totalling £172,091 to create vital childcare places on the West Winds estate and to develop state-of-the-art premises.

Armagh's human orrery initiative maps solar system
Culture, Arts and Leisure Minister, Angela Smith, has welcomed the construction of a new astronomy initiative which aims to make the subject more accessible to people in Northern Ireland.

'Wealth' company group censured for financial irregularities
St James's Place Wealth Management Group plc has been fined £250,000 by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) over serious monitoring and record keeping inadequacies.

Carlton and Granada cost cutting sparks jobs cull fears
Fears are mounting over swingeing job cuts at Carlton and Granada after the companies gave notice of their intention to achieve £100 million in cost savings.

Company pensions to be protected from 2005
In the Queen's speech today the government has announced that a Pensions Bill will be introduced to protect company pension plans.

'Simple fries' campaign lands McDonald's in complex crossfire
Objections by the Food Commission and members of the public to a "simple fries" advertisement for fast food chain McDonald's have led to the campaign being slated by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA). The print advertisement headlined "The Story Of Our Fries.

Voters in Northern Ireland go to the polls
Voters were going to the polls today to elect representatives for the Northern Ireland's Legislative Assembly.

Workers at Shorts go on all-out strike
Workers belonging to the two main unions at Shorts in Belfast have downed tools and walked out this morning as the threatened strike by Amicus and TGWU members became a reality.

Police renew Donaghcloney shooting appeal
Police have renewed their appeal for information following the attempted murder of a man in Co Down last week. The man, who is in his 30's, was shot a number of times after he was called to the front door of his Clover Brae home in Donaghcloney by his partner.

Man arrested in connection with pipe bomb factory
A 25-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the discovery of a pipe bomb making factory in east Belfast earlier this month. The man is helping police with their enquiries into the discovery which was made at a house at Bloomfield Avenue on November 13.

Shankill Road home burgled
Police in north Belfast are appealing for information following a burglary at a house on the Shankill Road on Tuesday. Thieves are thought to have broken into the house at Nelson Square between 9am and 5.30pm.

Power cut hits 1,800 homes in Lurgan area
Over 1,800 homes in the Waringstown and Donaghcloney areas of Lurgan were left without power on Monday following severe damage to an underground high voltage electricity cable in the area.

English rugby triumph should be used as platform says lecturer
England’s triumph in the Rugby World Cup must provide the platform for innovative thinking on the development of the sport in the home nations, a University of Ulster sports lecturer and former All-Blacks mentor said today.

Football legends to unveil footbridge makeover
A south Belfast footbridge which received a makeover thanks to a successful poll amongst local football fans, is set to be officially opened by two Northern Ireland legends next week.

Video-based study examines Irish Sea 'scampi' stocks
A cross-border study into the quantities of Dublin Bay Prawn in the Irish Sea, an industry worth over £50 million-a-year to the fishing industry at first sale, has been completed.

Lecture to explore myths surrounding Irish uprising hero
The mythology surrounding Robert Emmet, the romantic hero of the 1803 Irish uprising, will be explored in a lecture at the University of Ulster's Magee campus in Londonderry next month.

Six arrested over republican arms smuggling
Six people have been arrested by police in Antrim and north Belfast today in connection with suspected arms smuggling. It is understood that the four men and two women were arrested following investigations into the alleged importation of arms by republican terrorists.

Northern Ireland trade delegation visit China
As part of its commitment to support local business in developing markets overseas, Invest Northern Ireland has sponsored a 28-strong trade mission to China.

NI Hospice chief steps aside for operational review
The Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Hospice, Tom Hill, is to step aside to allow an independent review of the operation of the charity and its council's activities.

Vacant security bases to undergo regeneration
Direct rule minister Ian Pearson has published plans that will see the regeneration of security force bases vacated as part of the normalisation process.

Motion to change city's name is 'illegal' claims Nesbitt
The UUP's former Environment Minister Dermott Nesbitt has warned that Derry Council could leave itself open to legal action if it passes a motion to drop the prefix 'London' from the City of Londonderry.

Antrim company leads the way for SME success
Antrim-based Springfarm Architectural Mouldings (SAM) has seen its sales rise by over 450 per cent following the start of a business improvement drive, Leslie Morrison, Invest NI Chief Executive, has revealed.

International e-business conference opens in Belfast
Growth in Northern Ireland’s economy depends on the ability of local business to make the best use of e-business technologies to tackle global markets.

UUP delegation meets with Prison Officers' Association
A senior delegation from the Ulster Unionist Party has met with the Prison Officers' Association to discuss the ongoing dispute between the Association and the Government.

Pub damaged in overnight arson attack
A pub in Randalstown, County Antrim, has been severely damaged in an overnight arson attack. Two "Yellow Godessess" from Ballymena, which responded to the emergency call, attended the blaze at the bar in Main Street, Randalstown, at 2.30am this morning.

Local SPAR stores appraised by UK team
A recent three-day long study tour of some of the Province's SPAR stores, which had the theme of “Stand Out And Be Recognised” has taken place in SPAR stores across Northern Ireland.

Police launch 'major operation' against loyalist crime
Police have launched what they described as a "major search and arrest operation" against loyalist paramilitaries and organised crime in the Waterside area of Londonderry. Police confirmed that as of around 8.00am this morning seven men and one woman had been arrested during the search operations.

Belfast primary school targeted in arson attack
More than 100 primary six and primary seven pupils at a Belfast school have been told not to attend school after an arson attack at the weekend damaged classrooms.

CBI predicts rough ride before UK recovers
The CBI has predicted a painful year ahead for British businesses even if the UK manages to avoid a fully-fledged recession.

Survey suggests UK economy is still resilient
A new survey from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has suggested that the UK’s economy is out-performing those of most other developed countries.

Consignia’s pre-tax losses climb to £100 million
Consignia has announced a half-year operating loss of £100 million before tax and exceptional items.

Partnership aims to bring intranet to local government
Antrim-based Consilium Technologies has announced the signing of a partnership agreement with a leading supplier of Intranet solutions Definitive Applications.

Empey to promote NI business in China
Stormont trade minister Sir Reg Empey will be in China next week in support of the biggest ever trade mission to Hong Kong and China organised by Trade International Northern Ireland, the export and trade arm of the Industrial Development Board.

Finucane accused case collapses
The case against the man charged with aiding and abetting in the murder of Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane 12 years ago has collapsed.

Lord Cullen speaks out on health and safety issues
Lord Cullen, the Lord Justice-General of Scotland, has opened the first in a series of high profile lectures launched by the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI), in partnership with the University of Ulster.

Loyalist protest at Holy Cross ends
Catholic children have walked to the Holy Cross primary school in north Belfast without running the gauntlet of loyalist protestors for the first time in three months.

Tenants to benefit from landlord licensing scheme
A new scheme is to be introduced that will see standards of accommodation raised for thousands of tenants in Northern Ireland.

Mixed marriages in NI are becoming more acceptable
Mixed marriages between Protestants and Catholics in Northern Ireland are becoming more acceptable and popular according to new research from the University of Ulster.

National Trust celebrates view of Northern Ireland
Some of the province’s most famous landmarks have been celebrated in the first-ever Northern Ireland calendar from the National Trust.

Minister consults on open-ended investment companies
The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment has pledged a commitment from his department to providing a modern financial services regulatory framework in Northern Ireland relevant to the needs of local investment firms and investors.

Pipe bomb defused in north Belfast
The army have defused a pipe bomb type device in Alliance Avenue in north Belfast. The device was discovered around 10am on Monday morning in the back garden of a house about 600 yards from the Catholic Holy Cross primary school which has been at the centre of a bitter 12-week protest.

Safeway reaffirm relationship with local college
Loughry College has been chosen by supermarket outlet Safeway as the venue for its Annual Conference, further emphasising the special relationship between the educational institution and the retail chain.