Dogs Tackled At Stormont Assembly

The Stormont Assembly is expected to approve new powers to deal with vicious dogs and the danger they pose to people and their pets. The new Bill will give dog wardens greater powers and insist on owners having their animals micro-chipped. NI Agriculture Minister Michelle Gildernew said micro-chipping is seen as necessary to tackle the issue of strays and that it will also help identify dogs which pose a risk, particularly to children.

Gary Suffered Heart Attack

Early post mortem results have indicated that Belfast-born musician Gary Moore died from a heart attack. The former Thin Lizzy and Skid Row guitarist died early on Sunday, hours after arriving at a hotel in the Costa Del Sol. Spanish police said although toxicology tests on bodily fluids are still to be completed, at this stage they are not treating death as suspicious and the release of the body to the family is anticipated soon.

Irish Robbery Woman Dies

An Irish woman has died after being attacked during a burglary in South Africa last week. Cecily Clark, originally from Shankill, Co Dublin, was killed and her husband was injured by a robber in their home in Cape Town on Wednesday. Ms Clark (67), formerly of Shankill in Co Dublin, was said to have been at home alone last Wednesday in Cape Town's Claremont suburb when a man assaulted and strangled her after gaining entry to the house. Local reports say the suspect surprised Ms Clark's husband, John, upon his arrival home, but he managed to raise the alarm following an altercation. A 25-year-old man has appeared in court in connection with the incident. A memorial service is to be arranged at a later date.

Rural Development Praised

The Rural Development Minister Michelle Gildernew has reiterated the vital contribution which community development and partnership working make in tackling poverty and social exclusion in rural areas. Addressing delegates at the Annual General Meeting of the Rural Community Network (RCN) in Benedy Community Hall, Dungiven, Minister Gildernew said: "It has always been important to me that rural communities receive the time and attention they deserve, and the resources they need to identify and resolve local issues and make change happen in their area. Through the current Anti-Poverty and Social Inclusion Programme, I am working to ensure that these people are given support to develop the skills and knowledge they need to access services and play an active part in decision making processes which affect their lives," she said, noting that £10m is being invested in a range of interventions tackling issues such as childcare, fuel poverty and rural transport and through a rural challenge fund targeted at the community and voluntary sector. "The anti-poverty package has had many notable successes and it is very important that we build on it in our efforts to overcome disadvantage, discrimination and promote inclusion in rural areas," she said.

Ulster Carpets Wins Saudi Trade

Some £1.5m worth of new business in Saudi Arabia for Portadown-based Ulster Carpets has been announced by NI Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster. The most recent contracts won by the company include bespoke designed carpets for the prestigious King Abdullah Convention Centre in Jeddah as well as major hotels such as the Marriott in Riyadh, Le Meridien in Al Khobar and the Sheraton in nearby Damman. The Minister made the announcement during a visit to the company, which employs 300 people in Portadown. "Through its extensive investment in manufacturing and design technologies, Ulster Carpets has become a global leader in the development of high quality carpets for the competitive hospitality and cruise industries. The company is an excellent role model, as their success in Saudi Arabia, and indeed around the world, demonstrates how local businesses can help drive economic growth. It is a perfect fit for our strategy of encouraging and assisting the growth of ambitious and entrepreneurial companies focused on market-led innovation and international sales."

Derry Port's Board Expands

It has been announced that two new names, Peter Sheridan and Dolores O'Reilly will join the Board of the Harbour Commissioners in Derry City. The NI Regional Development Minister Conor Murphy said the appointments are for a four year period: "They bring a wealth of senior management experience and strong personal commitment to advance the role of the Port as a key economic driver for the North West of Ireland. I am sure that both Peter Sheridan and Dolores O'Reilly will make a significant contribution to the efficient management of the port and I wish them well," he said. "The Harbour Commissioners have a dynamic and effective Board which, under the leadership of the Chairman, Garvan O'Doherty, has established the Port as a key infrastructure asset for the city and the region. I am confident that they will be able to build upon the success of recent years," he concluded, noting that he also confirmed the reappointment of Roy Devine and Joe McKeever for second and final terms of four years.

(BMcC/GK)