Duffy Case Adjourned

A preliminary inquiry in the case of a prominent republican accused of murdering two soldiers was adjourned this week. Colin Duffy, of Forest Glade in Lurgan, is charged with the murders of sappers Mark Quinsey, 23, and Patrick Azimkar, 21, (pictured) who were gunned down by dissident republicans at the gates of Massereene army barracks in Antrim in March 2009. The 42-year-old is also accused of five counts of attempted murder and possession of firearms with intent in connection with the Real IRA ambush at Massereene. Mr Duffy appeared at Antrim Magistrates' Court on Monday, but his case was adjourned until later by his defence team.

Faroe Game Tonight

The NI soccer boss Nigel Worthington has issued a rallying call to players ahead of their Euro 2012 qualifier away to the Faroe Islands tonight. "Our approach has to be spot-on - we want to do the job and get out - it will not be easy," Mr Worthington told the BBC yesterday. We are well aware of what we need to do and of what they can do. There is an opportunity, if we do our jobs right, that we could be leaving with seven points on the board and that is what we want," added the NI manager, noting that NI started their campaign in impressive fashion with a victory against Slovenia, followed by a goalless draw with Italy on Friday.

'Gunman' Assaulted Wife

A man who put an imitation gun to his ex-wife's head and subjected her to a serious sexual assault has been jailed for six years at Londonderry Crown Court. The offence took place in the woman's home in November last year while her children were asleep upstairs at the time. The defendant, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was also placed on the sex offenders register.

Parades Commission Opens Membership

The appointment process for membership of the Parades Commission has started. Minister of State for Northern Ireland, Hugo Swire announced the move on Monday and said: "Regrettably in the absence of a local solution to a new framework for parading I have been left with no alternative but to begin the process of making appointments in time for next year's marching season. I launched a recruitment competition to make appointments to the position of Commission Chairman and six members of the Commission," he said, noting that the role of the Parades Commission remains extremely important and challenging. "The new Commission will be expected to build on the valuable work of the outgoing Commission and continue to work with local communities to ensure that we do not see a repeat of the mindless violence which occurred as a result of some parades during the summer just past."

NY Boss In Belfast

Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams has hosted a visit to west Belfast by New York City Comptroller John Liu. He previously met the Comptroller in New York two weeks ago and also met the State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli and discussed investment opportunities. Speaking after Monday's event in Conway Mill during which John Liu met civic and community leaders in west Belfast, Gerry Adams said: "Our effort is to secure additional investment for the north, over and above the pension funds already invested here. While the focus of the Comptroller is to add value to the funds, and to protect his pension fund holders, there is a clear connection between investment and tackling inequality and disadvantage in the north," he said. Comptroller Liu also made clear his firm commitment to advancing this work through his investment decisions.

Health Appointments

The Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey, has announced the appointment of Dr Catriona King and the re-appointment of Helen Roulston to the Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS) Department Board. "The appointment of Dr King and Ms Roulston, as Independent Non-Executive Members, comes at a very significant time as the Department and the health and social care service face a number of major challenges," he said. "I look forward to welcoming them to the Board and I am confident that we will benefit from the fresh approach and different insights which their particular skills and experience will bring," noting that Dr King has been appointed for a three year term and Ms Roulston has been re-appointed for a two year term having already served four years as an independent board member with the Department.

Charity's High Tech Boost

InstaGiv, a Portstewart-based specialist in mobile communications, is being assisted by Invest Northern Ireland to develop technology that will help charities in the United Kingdom and Ireland raise funds. Formed in 2009 by Michael Carlin, who has extensive experience in financial services in the UK, US, India and Hong Kong, InstaGiv now offers a range of technology products that enable charities to take advantage of recent UK legislation allowing VAT-free donations to be texted using mobile phones. The company is investing £148,000 to develop and market its technology products and has received assistance from Invest NI of £10,480. It plans to employ two people at management level by the end of next year.

Bio-Energy In Focus

A conference is being held in Omagh today to focus on the opportunities available from bio-energy. 'Opportunities in Bioenergy' is at the South West College and will identify opportunities for firms hoping to generate growth from renewables, such as biogas and biomass technologies. It is being run by the InnoTech Centre and funded by the Department for Employment and Learning and will include speakers Christian Pointner, Bioenergy 2020+, Austria, Tom Brennan, Rural Generation Ltd, Martin Sturm, Camphill Community Clanabogan, Wolfgang Gabauer, Institute for Environmental Biotechnology, Austria, and Robert Brennan, B9 Organic Energy Ltd.

YMCA Derry Celebrated

The NI Education Minister Caitríona Ruane has officially opened the refurbished YMCA premises in Londonderry. The £220,000 project has transformed a previously redundant area of the premises into office space, meeting rooms, toilet and kitchen facilities and added disabled access. DE provided 75% of the funding and DSD the remaining 25%. "The YMCA has been providing a vital service in Derry for over 150 years and has a strong track record in reaching out to disaffected and disadvantaged young people in the city. I strongly believe that all young people should have the opportunity to meet, have fun and enjoy sport and exercise in an informal setting. This is why my Department has invested almost £17million across the north of Ireland in youth service capital schemes such as this over the last three years," she said, noting that the upgraded facilities are a symbol of the community, parents and education working together to help young people.

(BMcC/KMcA)