Lennon Attack Men Found Guilty

Two men have been found guilty of attacking Celtic coach, and former NI Captain, Neil Lennon after an Old Firm game. David Whitelaw, 47, and 43-year-old Jeffrey Carrigan were charged with assault due to religious prejudice over the attack on 1 September last year. The assault took place in Ashton Lane in Glasgow’s west end. Both were found guilty of assault by a majority verdict at Glasgow Sheriff Court. They were cleared of religious prejudice.

Third Runway Given Go-Ahead At Heathrow

Campaigners opposing the proposed extension of the runway at George Best Belfast City Airport will be dismayed at news this week that Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon has confirmed the expansion of London's Heathrow Airport, despite widespread opposition from residents, environmental protesters and MPs. Now, local residents from the historic village of Sipson stand to lose at least 700 homes to make way for the new runway. Residents at Heathrow vowed to use direct action, if necessary, to prevent the demolition of their properties. See: Heathrow Third Runway Given Go-Ahead

Hamill Team Visit Portadown

The Robert Hamill Inquiry paid a site visit last night to the scene of the incident in Portadown in which Robert Hamill sustained his fatal injuries. A police Land Rover, similar to the one deployed at the time of the incident by the then RUC, was positioned at the scene. The Inquiry Panel, the Hamill family and a number of lawyers were present for the very low key visit.

Pork Firm 'Saved'

A pork processing plant which was in danger of closing has found a buyer. Stevenson & Co in Cullybackey, which has been in business for more than 150 years, announced proposals to close in October of last year. However, Dungannon-based group Dunbia announced on Thursday that it was to acquire the business, saving more than 100 jobs. The multi-million pound venture will also create up to 70 new jobs and boost existing pork production.

Business Should Forge DPP Links: MLA

A member of the Assembly's Enterprise, Trade and Investment Committee, Robin Newton, has urged businesses to increase their liaison with their local District Policing Partnerships as the basis for effective working partnership with the PSNI. The call comes as the PSNI begins to implement its new Business Crime Strategy for Northern Ireland. "I welcome the fact that the PSNI has launched its Business Advisory Forum, working with representatives of the business community to improve mutual relationships and understand their needs and concerns. The key for success is ensuring that the decisions made at strategic level are turned into action at the grassroots level. This is a two-way process, where, for example, the District Policing Partnerships are in place to listen to the views of the community directly," he said.

Car Sales Slump

Fewer people are driving round Northern Ireland in new cars. Statistics just released show that sales of new vehicles fell by 30% over the past year. The official figures show a drop of almost 6,000 for the third quarter of 2008, compared to the same period the previous year. Also, those who have cars are using them less with the amount of petrol and diesel delivered in Northern Ireland falling by 16% during the same period.

£££ Lost In Mutual Collapse

Presbyterian Mutual Society savers are unlikely to get all their money back, its administrator has said. The 9,500 PMS members will only get a part of their savings after the organisation went into administration in November, recommending "an orderly run down" of its business over time. Despite talks with interested parties, there had been no offers to purchase or invest in the society, leading to its demise.

President To See President

Sinn Féin's President, Gerry Adams is to attend the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama in Washington next week. Mr Adams said his party was committed to working with the new administration. While Mr Adams said: "President-elect Obama has already committed to continuing US support for the Irish peace process" there has been no indication if the SF boss will use the opportunity to press the US over its support for Israel as it continues bombardment of Gaza.

Invest NI Grows Export Trade

Almost 60 missions and trade exhibitions in international markets have been lined up by Invest Northern Ireland to assist local companies seeking to grow export sales. Invest NI's Market Visits Programme for 2009 includes first time trade missions to Russia, Taiwan and South Korea, France, and Spain, as well as participation in global exhibitions for companies in key sectors such as construction, environmental technology, life sciences, food and ICT. The extensive programme – the biggest-ever planned by Invest NI - features four missions to Arabian Gulf markets such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman and Kuwait, and two separate missions to India, (Mumbai and Delhi and Mumbai and Bangalore), and China, (Tianjin, Shenyang and Beijing, and Hong Kong, Guangzhou and Shanghai).

(BMcC/JM)