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18/11/2010
Other NI News In Brief
Dentist 'Guilty' Plea On Murders
Colin Howell, a dentist who was accused of killing his wife and the husband of his ex-lover, has pleaded guilty to the murders. The bodies of Lesley Howell and Trevor Buchanan were found in a car behind a row of houses in Castlerock almost 18 years ago. Howell, 51, pleaded his guilt when he appeared at Belfast Crown Court on Thursday morning. His ex-lover Hazel Stewart will also stand trial for the murders next week.
Ballymena Scare Over
Wellington Street in Ballymena has been opened again to traffic after it was cordoned off following the discovery of a suspicious object. It is believed to have been found at a Poundstretcher outlet in the town. The PSNI had been advising members of the public to avoid the area while further enquiries were made, but the alert has since ended.
Belfast 'Going Green’
Belfast is gearing up for a bumper week of 'green' eco activities as European Week for Waste Reduction (EWWR) is launched in the city centre this weekend. The Beat Carnival will be drumming up support for the initiative with some unique entertainment for all the family at Corn Market on Saturday from 11am-1pm - just before the city lights up for Christmas. As the only official organiser for EWWR in Northern Ireland, Belfast City Council is working with businesses, schools and communities to help reduce the amount of waste we send to landfill, as well as providing tips and advice. Belfast is one of the cities from 16 European countries that are taking part in the event and the council has organised a number of events throughout the week to spread the waste reduction message. It comes as the council celebrates its win at a national awards ceremony. Belfast City Council won a Green Apple Award for best environmental practice for its 'Partners against grime' schools project, delivered earlier this year.
Mums' Justice In Focus
Whilst officially opening the extended visits facility for mothers and children at Hydebank Wood facility, Justice Minister David Ford has this week published another first in relation to the management of women offenders in Northern Ireland. "The imprisonment of a mother can have a major impact on her children and family. The Extended Visits Scheme, and this facility, are designed to enable mothers in prison to engage their children in positive activities and bond with them in a way which is not possible during normal visits; our aim is to minimise the damaging effects of imprisonment on children," he said, noting that the new standards have been developed to help deliver a more tailored approach to managing women prisoners, and to contribute to a reduction in re-offending.
Alcoholics & Drug Users Costs
The NI Health Minister Michael McGimpsey has revealed that treating drug and alcohol addictions costs over £7million. On 1 March 2010 over 5,550 individuals across Northern Ireland were in treatment for alcohol and/or drug misuse. "In 2009/2010 the five Health and Social Care Trust's spent over £7million just on providing treatment and support services for those who have come forward seeking support. The actual cost to the health and social care system will be much higher," he said. The Health and Social Care Trusts deliver a range of treatment and support services and interventions to address local need, including the provision of statutory community addiction service, in-patient beds, commissioning treatment and support services from the community and voluntary sector, and delivering harm reduction services such as the Needle and Syringe Exchange Scheme and the Substitute Prescribing Scheme. The Minister continued: "Without intervention and prevention the health service will struggle to cope with alcohol and drug misuse – and related issues such as domestic violence, child protection, mental health and suicide – in the years ahead. That is why we must place a significant focus on not just treating those affected by substance misuse, but also in preventing and reducing the related harm."
(BMcC/GK)
Colin Howell, a dentist who was accused of killing his wife and the husband of his ex-lover, has pleaded guilty to the murders. The bodies of Lesley Howell and Trevor Buchanan were found in a car behind a row of houses in Castlerock almost 18 years ago. Howell, 51, pleaded his guilt when he appeared at Belfast Crown Court on Thursday morning. His ex-lover Hazel Stewart will also stand trial for the murders next week.
Ballymena Scare Over
Wellington Street in Ballymena has been opened again to traffic after it was cordoned off following the discovery of a suspicious object. It is believed to have been found at a Poundstretcher outlet in the town. The PSNI had been advising members of the public to avoid the area while further enquiries were made, but the alert has since ended.
Belfast 'Going Green’
Belfast is gearing up for a bumper week of 'green' eco activities as European Week for Waste Reduction (EWWR) is launched in the city centre this weekend. The Beat Carnival will be drumming up support for the initiative with some unique entertainment for all the family at Corn Market on Saturday from 11am-1pm - just before the city lights up for Christmas. As the only official organiser for EWWR in Northern Ireland, Belfast City Council is working with businesses, schools and communities to help reduce the amount of waste we send to landfill, as well as providing tips and advice. Belfast is one of the cities from 16 European countries that are taking part in the event and the council has organised a number of events throughout the week to spread the waste reduction message. It comes as the council celebrates its win at a national awards ceremony. Belfast City Council won a Green Apple Award for best environmental practice for its 'Partners against grime' schools project, delivered earlier this year.
Mums' Justice In Focus
Whilst officially opening the extended visits facility for mothers and children at Hydebank Wood facility, Justice Minister David Ford has this week published another first in relation to the management of women offenders in Northern Ireland. "The imprisonment of a mother can have a major impact on her children and family. The Extended Visits Scheme, and this facility, are designed to enable mothers in prison to engage their children in positive activities and bond with them in a way which is not possible during normal visits; our aim is to minimise the damaging effects of imprisonment on children," he said, noting that the new standards have been developed to help deliver a more tailored approach to managing women prisoners, and to contribute to a reduction in re-offending.
Alcoholics & Drug Users Costs
The NI Health Minister Michael McGimpsey has revealed that treating drug and alcohol addictions costs over £7million. On 1 March 2010 over 5,550 individuals across Northern Ireland were in treatment for alcohol and/or drug misuse. "In 2009/2010 the five Health and Social Care Trust's spent over £7million just on providing treatment and support services for those who have come forward seeking support. The actual cost to the health and social care system will be much higher," he said. The Health and Social Care Trusts deliver a range of treatment and support services and interventions to address local need, including the provision of statutory community addiction service, in-patient beds, commissioning treatment and support services from the community and voluntary sector, and delivering harm reduction services such as the Needle and Syringe Exchange Scheme and the Substitute Prescribing Scheme. The Minister continued: "Without intervention and prevention the health service will struggle to cope with alcohol and drug misuse – and related issues such as domestic violence, child protection, mental health and suicide – in the years ahead. That is why we must place a significant focus on not just treating those affected by substance misuse, but also in preventing and reducing the related harm."
(BMcC/GK)
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Mental Health Service Waiting Times 'Deeply Concerning'
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