Killer's Manslaughter Plea Accepted

A 22-year-old foreign national - originally charged with the murder of a Scottish man found dead in south Belfast - has now pleaded guilty to manslaughter. Kaspars Valters, a Latvian national, who was living at Saintfield Road, Belfast, admitted manslaughter when the murder charge was put to him at Belfast Crown Court today. He killed James McDonald, who was 56 and from Dumfries, and was found dead at a house in Penrose Street in September 2006. The prosecution accepted the plea. Mr Valters will be sentenced on 23 June.

Man Rescued From Fire

Firefighters rescued a man from a fire in Newtwownabbey last night. The blaze broke out at a flat in Ballyronan Park, Rathcoole on Tuesday night and a neighbour raised the alarm. Geoff White from the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, said that the man, aged in his 30s, was being treated for smoke inhalation. "Two firefighters wearing breathing apparatus forced entry into the flat which was filled with smoke," he said.

Tobacco Seized

Over eight million cigarettes - thought to be worth about £2.4m - have been seized at Belfast docks. Following the seizure, an investigation is under way to determine if the cigarettes are counterfeit. They have a potential duty evasion of £1.8 milllion. The seizure was made on Monday by the UK Border Agency. No arrests were made.

Police Hurt In Collision

Two police officers have been injured in a collision with a stolen car in south Belfast. The second such incident in south Belfast inside a week, this time it happened on the Upper Malone Road area at about 4am on Tuesday when they intercepted a Volkswagen Passat, which had been reported stolen in a burglary in Glengormley on Monday. After the collision, two men ran off towards Queen's playing fields. Their injuries are not thought to be life threatening and police have appealed for information.

Investment Announced

An established Downpatrick company, Vivomed, is to build a new environmentally friendly facility as part of a £800,000 investment, supported by Invest Northern Ireland. The company said this would help the firm to take advantage of growing demand for its products in the first aid, physiotherapy equipment, sports medicine, and pharmaceuticals market. The new building has been designed with a low carbon, energy efficient strategy.

Bail Refused

The man accused of threatening a couple with being shot during a burglary in south Belfast has been refused bail. Belfast's High Court heard yesterday that Edward McIntyre, 22, of no fixed address, broke into the house in Ashley Avenue in March and demanded car keys and money. He found the couple in a downstairs bedroom, told them to stay there, then dragged their son, 16, downstairs. In his defence McIntyre said he had been drinking and it may have been spiked as he could remember nothing of the incident.

Roads Investment Announced

Magherafelt is set to benefit from £3.5m roads investments, announced by the Regional Development Minister yesterday. Minister Conor Murphy outlined a number of major and minor schemes due to take place in the Magherafelt Council area, this year. 

Statutory Notices were published in March 2007 for the A6 Dualling between the M22 Motorway and the Castledawson roundabout and Mr Murphy confirmed that his Department intends to publish the Statutory Orders for the A31 Magherafelt By-pass. The Minister said, if required, it is expected a public inquiry could be held within this financial year.



Illegal Goods Vehicle Issue Tackled

New regulations for goods vehicles have been introduced by NI Environment Minister Arlene Foster, aimed at tackling illegal operators. The purpose of the Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) Bills is to legislate on the proper use of vehicles, to ensure fair competition within the industry, and to guarantee the protection of the environment around operating centres. The new bill will also help the fight against organised crime and ensure greater enforcement powers. Minister Foster said Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) surveys carried out in 2005 and 2007 indicated an "intolerably high level of non-compliance" of road-worthiness standards by the users of freight vehicles in Northern Ireland. Ms Foster said that these issues, together with illegal freight operation, must be addressed.

(BMcC)