Drowing Tragedy Cousins 'Intoxicated'

A post mortem examination carried out after the bodies of two young people were recovered from the bottom of a scenic lake in Co Down has shown that one was over twice the legal drink drive limit and the other to be just under it. The inquest heard this week that Rory McAlinden, 18, had been drinking beer and his cousin Clare Steele, 16, alco-pops. The deaths of two teenagers in Castlewellan forest park's lake has been described as a case of high spirits which ended in tragedy. Both died when a canoe overturned in the lake in April last year. Another youngster managed to swim to shore and raise the alarm, but it was too late to save the cousins. The Belfast inquest heard they had been part of a group partying in the forest park when they decided to 'borrow' a canoe and take it on the lake at night.

Europa Facilities Explode

The once infamous Belfast Europa Hotel has just completed work on a new conference and exhibition centre. Long since past the days when it was best known as one of the most bombed hotels in Europe, the city centre facility is now equipped with the latest state-of-the-art technology and offers one of the largest conference and exhibition spaces on the island of Ireland. The new centre joins the already extensive conference which boasts the grand ballroom, a rooftop banqueting facility with panoramic views over the city and the nine syndicate room Eurobusiness Centre.

Bridge Building Jobs

NI Employment and Learning Minister Sir Reg Empey, this week visited engineering firm AJ Power at their plant in Craigavon. He saw at first hand how his Department's 'Bridge to Employment' programme was making a difference to the employers' recruitment and training needs. "Since 2003, through the Bridge to Employment Programme, my Department has provided AJ Power with assistance worth £30,000. In addition, through the Programme over 45 trainees have started work with the company and this source of new recruits has been of great help as the company continues to expand," he said.

Valley Art Helps Borough Celebrate

Newtownabbey Borough Council has unveiled a new sculpture at the Valley Leisure Centre, as apart of its 50th anniversary celebrations. The structure, named 'Endeavour' - designed to capture the sense of sporting movement and personal endeavour - is fabricated in brushed stainless steel. Stephen Todd, the designer, wanted to create a form that was both eye-catching and inspiring to all those who will use the newly refurbished Valley Leisure Centre. Illuminated at night by bright up-lighters, the sculpture intends to be a bold landmark for the local community. The sculpture is based on the combined form of a footballer ready to kick a ball, a netballer ready to throw a ball or even a sprinter getting ready to run.

(BMCC)