Patterson Says 'Step-Down'

The new Presbyterian moderator has said Sinn Fein should consider its appointment of a convicted killer as a Stormont special adviser. He was speaking out after Mary McArdle, who was jailed for murdering Mary Travers in 1984, was appointed following the election, in a move that angering the Travers family. "I am not going to tell them what they should do," Reverend Ivan Patterson (pictured) said. "But I think there is a need that they reflect." Mary Travers, 22, was shot dead by an IRA gang as she left Mass with her father, Magistrate Tom Travers, in 1984 and McArdle, is now working as an adviser to the Culture Minister Caral ni Chuilin, having earlier been jailed for life for her role in the attack. See: No U-turn On Killer's Role: McGuinness

Dentist Victims' Inquest Opens

A new inquest into the murder of Lesley Howell and Trevor Buchanan began today after their former spouses, Colin Howell and Hazel Stewart were jailed for their murder earlier this year, 20 years after the pair were found gassed in a car in Castlerock in 1991. It was initially believed Mrs Howell and Mr Buchanan had died in a suicide pact, but Colin Howell confessed to the double murder and was jailed for 21 years and his ex-lover, Hazel Stewart was found guilty of the charges and sentenced to 18 years behind bars. Attorney General John Larkin ordered a fresh inquest into the deaths, after it was revealed Howell and Stewart had created a story at the original inquest to cover up the truth that they had murdered their spouses. See: Inquest Verdict 'Carbon Monoxide Poisoning'

Southern Policed 'Collusion' Probed

The public hearing to establish if Gardaí colluded in the IRA murder of two senior RUC officers as they crossed the border 22 years ago begins today, with evidence to be provided by key witnesses. RUC officers Harry Breen and Bob Buchanan were shot dead in a terrorist ambush as they drove along a secluded border road in South Armagh on 20 March 1989. The tribunal set up to investigate allegations that Irish police colluded in their killings begins this week, amid concern that its Dáil enforced November deadline won't give enough time to establish exactly what happened.

Kelly Slams Pipe Bombers

Commenting after a viable pipe bomb was left at the Homebase store in Newtownabbey yesterday, the Sinn Fein MLA for North Belfast Gerry Kelly has condemned those responsible. "The leaving of this device will achieve absolutely nothing. Whoever is behind it should realise that the only thing they have done is put the lives of the workers and customers of this store at serious risk." The Alliance Mayor of Newtownabbey Billy Webb has also condemned those who placed the pipe bomb after the viable device was found outside Homebase on the Longwood Road on Monday morning. "Those who seek to cause instability must not be allowed to succeed. Anyone who can help police with their investigation into this should contact them immediately," he said.

Baking Success

McErlain's Bakery has secured a new contract with Tesco worth almost half million pounds annually. The increase in its business with Tesco represents a significant growth for the Magherafelt-based bakery with the listing of a number of new products across Tesco in-store bakeries in Northern Ireland. McErlain's Bakery has developed the new range of bakery products under the Tesco finest brand. Cliff Kells, Commercial Manager for Tesco in Northern Ireland, said: "The bakery is renowned for premium quality products in the local market under the Genesis Crafty brand. They have worked effortlessly to retain the skills formed in traditional home bakeries. Similarly to Tesco supporting local suppliers, McErlain's Bakery only source the best local ingredients and have won many awards for the quality of their scones and breads over the last ten years." Full story: McErlain's Baking Success

(BMcC/KMcA)