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05/11/2010
Other NI News In Brief
NUJ Halts BBC News
BBC news services have been disrupted as thousands of journalists, newsreaders and presenters began a 48-hour strike over pensions today. Radio and television programmes have been forced off-air as staff take part in the industrial action. Picket lines have been mounted across the UK at venues including Broadcasting House and TV Centre in London and in Belfast's Ormeau Avenue with many pre-recorded programmes expected to fill a number of slots during the duration of the strike. See: BBC Journalists On 48-Hour Strike
Double Murder Pair For Trial
Dentist Colin Howell and his ex-lover Hazel Stewart will be put on trial in a double murder case as planned later this month. The pair, who deny killing their respective partners in May 1991, will be in the dock despite a delay in the submission of psychiatric reports. Even though these are still to be completed, Mr Justice Hart said that a jury would be sworn in at Coleraine on November 22. The deaths of the two victims Hazel Stewart's first husband, PSNI Constable Trevor Buchanan and Lesley Howell were initially though to have been as a result of a suicide pact, but the PSNI launched a murder inquiry after interviewing Mrs Howell in January last year.
Gas Blast Man Badly Hurt
The Health and Safety Executive NI is investigating after a man was badly injured in a gas explosion at a scrap metal yard and recycling business in Portadown. The victim, believed to be Gerald Hamill, a partner in the Obins Street business, was working near a gas appliance when the explosion happened at about 11.30am on Thursday. It is understood he suffered extensive injuries to his legs and abdomen.
Suspicious Object
There was a security alert today near a pub in Co Londonderry's Castledawson. It was sparked after a suspicious object was found on Friday morning in the car park at the licensed presmies around 11.30am. The Hillhead Road was closed as the alert was ongoing throughout the day, but has this afternoon ended with the roads being reopened.
Kennedy Slams Robbers
Ulster Unionist MLA for Newry and Armagh - who is also the Minister for Employment and Learning - Danny Kennedy, has expressed concern at a spate of robberies in the local area. "I am deeply worried by reports of a series of robberies and burglaries which have taken place in the Aghavilly, Keady and Aughnagurgan areas over the past three to four weeks. It causes me particular consternation that elderly people are being specifically targeted," he said, noting that in one robbery an elderly man was sleeping when he was woken by a group of robbers who ransacked his house. "I would appeal to anyone with information - or indeed a conscience - to bring information to the PSNI."
PSNI Defends Riot Tactics
Matt Baggot, the PSNI Chief Constable has been speaking about police tactics surrounding the rioting in Co Antrim last week when at least £500,000 in damage was caused. Two bus drivers were assaulted and their vehicles were hijacked during the serious disturbances, which happened on the edge of the loyalist Rathcoole estate. As no arrests were made during the rioting, he has faced criticism of how the PSNI dealt with the situation. However, at an NI Policing Board meeting this week, he defended the response and reiterated the PSNI's belief that members of the illegal UVF were involved in the trouble. He also revealed that 27 witness statements have been taken and CCTV footage from nine locations is being studied. See: Bus Torched As Paramilitaries Rampage
Drowned Fisherman Buried
Fisherman Eddie Doherty, who drowned after his boat sank off the coast of Co Donegal on Monday, has been buried. The funeral of Mr Doherty, who was 65, was at Aghaclay church in picturesque Malin town in Inishowen. The deceased's nephew Robert McLaughlin, 41, who was also on the boat when it sank after hitting rocks near Glengad, is missing and feared drowned. A search operation in the north east Donegal area is continuing with help in both the initial search on Monday and Tuesday and in the current operation by Portrush lifeboat crew.
Policing Board Welcomes Report
Members of the Northern Ireland Policing Board have held a special meeting to consider an independent continuous improvement report commissioned by the Board on its work. Acting Chair Brian Rea said: "We welcome this report and have met with its author, Ken Reed, to discuss the findings and agree an action plan for moving forward. At a time of financial austerity we completely understand the need to deliver value for money in our own work and that of the PSNI; and this report in itself underpins our commitment to that. The public sector is often criticised for not benchmarking and looking for ways to deliver a better service. This report evidences both areas of strength and areas for improvement. As a Board we accept the Report's broad thrust and will use the analysis and recommendations to build on the considerable progress that has been made in policing oversight and delivery," he said, noting that a new Leadership Group had been formed to drive this programme of work forward. See: Damning Report Slams NI Policing Board
(BMcC/GK)
BBC news services have been disrupted as thousands of journalists, newsreaders and presenters began a 48-hour strike over pensions today. Radio and television programmes have been forced off-air as staff take part in the industrial action. Picket lines have been mounted across the UK at venues including Broadcasting House and TV Centre in London and in Belfast's Ormeau Avenue with many pre-recorded programmes expected to fill a number of slots during the duration of the strike. See: BBC Journalists On 48-Hour Strike
Double Murder Pair For Trial
Dentist Colin Howell and his ex-lover Hazel Stewart will be put on trial in a double murder case as planned later this month. The pair, who deny killing their respective partners in May 1991, will be in the dock despite a delay in the submission of psychiatric reports. Even though these are still to be completed, Mr Justice Hart said that a jury would be sworn in at Coleraine on November 22. The deaths of the two victims Hazel Stewart's first husband, PSNI Constable Trevor Buchanan and Lesley Howell were initially though to have been as a result of a suicide pact, but the PSNI launched a murder inquiry after interviewing Mrs Howell in January last year.
Gas Blast Man Badly Hurt
The Health and Safety Executive NI is investigating after a man was badly injured in a gas explosion at a scrap metal yard and recycling business in Portadown. The victim, believed to be Gerald Hamill, a partner in the Obins Street business, was working near a gas appliance when the explosion happened at about 11.30am on Thursday. It is understood he suffered extensive injuries to his legs and abdomen.
Suspicious Object
There was a security alert today near a pub in Co Londonderry's Castledawson. It was sparked after a suspicious object was found on Friday morning in the car park at the licensed presmies around 11.30am. The Hillhead Road was closed as the alert was ongoing throughout the day, but has this afternoon ended with the roads being reopened.
Kennedy Slams Robbers
Ulster Unionist MLA for Newry and Armagh - who is also the Minister for Employment and Learning - Danny Kennedy, has expressed concern at a spate of robberies in the local area. "I am deeply worried by reports of a series of robberies and burglaries which have taken place in the Aghavilly, Keady and Aughnagurgan areas over the past three to four weeks. It causes me particular consternation that elderly people are being specifically targeted," he said, noting that in one robbery an elderly man was sleeping when he was woken by a group of robbers who ransacked his house. "I would appeal to anyone with information - or indeed a conscience - to bring information to the PSNI."
PSNI Defends Riot Tactics
Matt Baggot, the PSNI Chief Constable has been speaking about police tactics surrounding the rioting in Co Antrim last week when at least £500,000 in damage was caused. Two bus drivers were assaulted and their vehicles were hijacked during the serious disturbances, which happened on the edge of the loyalist Rathcoole estate. As no arrests were made during the rioting, he has faced criticism of how the PSNI dealt with the situation. However, at an NI Policing Board meeting this week, he defended the response and reiterated the PSNI's belief that members of the illegal UVF were involved in the trouble. He also revealed that 27 witness statements have been taken and CCTV footage from nine locations is being studied. See: Bus Torched As Paramilitaries Rampage
Drowned Fisherman Buried
Fisherman Eddie Doherty, who drowned after his boat sank off the coast of Co Donegal on Monday, has been buried. The funeral of Mr Doherty, who was 65, was at Aghaclay church in picturesque Malin town in Inishowen. The deceased's nephew Robert McLaughlin, 41, who was also on the boat when it sank after hitting rocks near Glengad, is missing and feared drowned. A search operation in the north east Donegal area is continuing with help in both the initial search on Monday and Tuesday and in the current operation by Portrush lifeboat crew.
Policing Board Welcomes Report
Members of the Northern Ireland Policing Board have held a special meeting to consider an independent continuous improvement report commissioned by the Board on its work. Acting Chair Brian Rea said: "We welcome this report and have met with its author, Ken Reed, to discuss the findings and agree an action plan for moving forward. At a time of financial austerity we completely understand the need to deliver value for money in our own work and that of the PSNI; and this report in itself underpins our commitment to that. The public sector is often criticised for not benchmarking and looking for ways to deliver a better service. This report evidences both areas of strength and areas for improvement. As a Board we accept the Report's broad thrust and will use the analysis and recommendations to build on the considerable progress that has been made in policing oversight and delivery," he said, noting that a new Leadership Group had been formed to drive this programme of work forward. See: Damning Report Slams NI Policing Board
(BMcC/GK)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A chilly start with a widespread frost and some freezing fog, any freezing fog slow to clear. Otherwise bright with sunny spells and coastal showers. Light winds. Maximum temperature 6 °C.Tonight:Coastal showers dying out with a widespread frost developing along with freezing fog, which could become extensive. Winds remaining light. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
