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15/04/2009
Other NI News In Brief
Derry Policing Cuts 'Wrong'
News that police overtime in Londonderry could be cut by as much as 60% over the next year has been greeted with dismay. A senior PSNI officer has revealed that staffing levels will be reviewed in key front line units but he insited that he still has enough resources to deliver a professional service to the Foyle area. However, an Assembly Member has criticised the proposed police budget cuts. DUP MLA William Hay (pictured) said: "The cuts are wrong at this time, especially when there's a high threat from dissidents."
Visteon Union Fall-Out As Talks Convene
While talks are expected to begin in London later to resolve the dispute at three Visteon sites, there's news of division among trade unions. As national union officials are to meet Visteon executives, Belfast representatives said they were not being brought in for the discussions. They said they would have to wait outside while the talks were held. Belfast's Unite convenor John Maguire claimed he had been "excluded". Workers in Belfast, Basildon and Enfield have been protesting after being laid off by the firm, which has gone into administration in the UK.
Broadband To The Fore In NI
The Stormont Finance Minister, Nigel Dodds has welcomed the announcement by BT of the introduction of super fast broadband to 30,000 customers across south and west Belfast: "Super fast broadband provides a platform for the delivery of next generation citizen facing services, for example video on demand, video conferencing and high quality online learning. In addition, other services focussed on well-being, including connected health and remote care, can benefit from the higher network speed and quality offered by super fast broadband. This announcement further enhances the reform agenda already being carried out within the Northern Ireland Civil Service and being led by my Department. I hope that it won't be long until BT announce the continued roll-out of super fast broadband to the rest of Northern Ireland." he concluded.
NI Property Prices Still Falling
While surveyors are reporting more inquiries and sales across the NI property market, a majority still say that prices continue to fall. The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) monthly survey for March reveals that a majority of its members, many of whom are estate agents, say that prices continue to slide but inquiries are rising. The survey shows that in March just over half of its members reported an increase in sales, and that 86% of surveyors found that more potential buyers were making inquiries about houses. However, 60% of estate agents reported that prices had fallen in January, February and March, with the remainder reporting that prices had not moved. No-one reported price rises. See: House Purchase Lending Edges Up And Remortgaging Declines
Rallying Support As Car Recovered
A highly specialised rally car stolen from its owner in Dromara on Sunday night has been found almost undamaged. The near-unique rally 'safety car' was targeted shortly after the owner returned home from the race in Dundalk where it was used as a rear sweeper vehicle to help competitors negotiate the testing stages. A search was mounted after the Subaru Legacy disappeared, with details of the vehicle distributed via the internet to motorsport and car enthusiasts' chat rooms and forums which resulted in some clues to the car's possible whereabouts, with a tip-off leading to its recovery.
SF 'Pursue Unity', Says MEP
A leading Sinn Féin politican, MEP Bairbre de Brún, speaking at the Easter commemoration in Swatragh in South Derry has said that Sinn Féin continues to pursue a strategy to achieve Irish unity and the establishment of a Republic. "There is no going back to the old days of sectarian domination and two-tier citizenship. The relationship between the North of Ireland and Britain has been fundamentally altered. For Republicans it has opened up a peaceful and democratic path to a united Ireland. Republicans created these opportunities by being strategic, focused and disciplined. That same focus is now required in this phase of struggle," she told supporters.
Rugby Player Knocked Down By Off-Duty Garda
The man who died after being knocked-down in the early hours of Sunday was hit by an off-duty garda, it has emerged. Jack Whelan, 23, who has been described as a promising young rugby player, was struck on the Clontarf Road in Dublin at around 6.30am. The Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission has confirmed an investigation has been launched. Mr Whelan was one of three men killed in separate road accidents over the Easter weekend. On Sunday a 24-year-old man driving a suspected stolen car was killed when it crashed at a roundabout in west Dublin. On Saturday evening 54-year-old Jim Ahearn of Kilrush, Co Clare died when his car struck a tree at Tullabrack, Cooraclar.
(BMcC/KMcA)
News that police overtime in Londonderry could be cut by as much as 60% over the next year has been greeted with dismay. A senior PSNI officer has revealed that staffing levels will be reviewed in key front line units but he insited that he still has enough resources to deliver a professional service to the Foyle area. However, an Assembly Member has criticised the proposed police budget cuts. DUP MLA William Hay (pictured) said: "The cuts are wrong at this time, especially when there's a high threat from dissidents."
Visteon Union Fall-Out As Talks Convene
While talks are expected to begin in London later to resolve the dispute at three Visteon sites, there's news of division among trade unions. As national union officials are to meet Visteon executives, Belfast representatives said they were not being brought in for the discussions. They said they would have to wait outside while the talks were held. Belfast's Unite convenor John Maguire claimed he had been "excluded". Workers in Belfast, Basildon and Enfield have been protesting after being laid off by the firm, which has gone into administration in the UK.
Broadband To The Fore In NI
The Stormont Finance Minister, Nigel Dodds has welcomed the announcement by BT of the introduction of super fast broadband to 30,000 customers across south and west Belfast: "Super fast broadband provides a platform for the delivery of next generation citizen facing services, for example video on demand, video conferencing and high quality online learning. In addition, other services focussed on well-being, including connected health and remote care, can benefit from the higher network speed and quality offered by super fast broadband. This announcement further enhances the reform agenda already being carried out within the Northern Ireland Civil Service and being led by my Department. I hope that it won't be long until BT announce the continued roll-out of super fast broadband to the rest of Northern Ireland." he concluded.
NI Property Prices Still Falling
While surveyors are reporting more inquiries and sales across the NI property market, a majority still say that prices continue to fall. The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) monthly survey for March reveals that a majority of its members, many of whom are estate agents, say that prices continue to slide but inquiries are rising. The survey shows that in March just over half of its members reported an increase in sales, and that 86% of surveyors found that more potential buyers were making inquiries about houses. However, 60% of estate agents reported that prices had fallen in January, February and March, with the remainder reporting that prices had not moved. No-one reported price rises. See: House Purchase Lending Edges Up And Remortgaging Declines
Rallying Support As Car Recovered
A highly specialised rally car stolen from its owner in Dromara on Sunday night has been found almost undamaged. The near-unique rally 'safety car' was targeted shortly after the owner returned home from the race in Dundalk where it was used as a rear sweeper vehicle to help competitors negotiate the testing stages. A search was mounted after the Subaru Legacy disappeared, with details of the vehicle distributed via the internet to motorsport and car enthusiasts' chat rooms and forums which resulted in some clues to the car's possible whereabouts, with a tip-off leading to its recovery.
SF 'Pursue Unity', Says MEP
A leading Sinn Féin politican, MEP Bairbre de Brún, speaking at the Easter commemoration in Swatragh in South Derry has said that Sinn Féin continues to pursue a strategy to achieve Irish unity and the establishment of a Republic. "There is no going back to the old days of sectarian domination and two-tier citizenship. The relationship between the North of Ireland and Britain has been fundamentally altered. For Republicans it has opened up a peaceful and democratic path to a united Ireland. Republicans created these opportunities by being strategic, focused and disciplined. That same focus is now required in this phase of struggle," she told supporters.
Rugby Player Knocked Down By Off-Duty Garda
The man who died after being knocked-down in the early hours of Sunday was hit by an off-duty garda, it has emerged. Jack Whelan, 23, who has been described as a promising young rugby player, was struck on the Clontarf Road in Dublin at around 6.30am. The Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission has confirmed an investigation has been launched. Mr Whelan was one of three men killed in separate road accidents over the Easter weekend. On Sunday a 24-year-old man driving a suspected stolen car was killed when it crashed at a roundabout in west Dublin. On Saturday evening 54-year-old Jim Ahearn of Kilrush, Co Clare died when his car struck a tree at Tullabrack, Cooraclar.
(BMcC/KMcA)
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25 November 2024
Other News In Brief
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29 July 2019
Job Prospects For Unemployed With Care Home Training Scheme
A care home group is offering job opportunities for the unemployed in Belfast following completion of a four-week training programme. Macklin Care Homes, which operates six homes in Northern Ireland, has developed a scheme to equip unemployed members of society with recognised qualifications in health and social care skills.
Job Prospects For Unemployed With Care Home Training Scheme
A care home group is offering job opportunities for the unemployed in Belfast following completion of a four-week training programme. Macklin Care Homes, which operates six homes in Northern Ireland, has developed a scheme to equip unemployed members of society with recognised qualifications in health and social care skills.
21 February 2020
NI Charity Advocates For Youths Growing Up In Care
A local charity is calling on the United Nations to officially designate Care Day as the International Day of Care Experienced People to support children and young people who are or have been in care.
NI Charity Advocates For Youths Growing Up In Care
A local charity is calling on the United Nations to officially designate Care Day as the International Day of Care Experienced People to support children and young people who are or have been in care.
22 March 2022
£5m Announced For NI's Care Home Sector
A £5 million support package has been announced to help Northern Ireland's care home sector with rising energy costs. Care homes, like the rest of society, have been dealing with sharply rising energy prices. The £5m funding will be allocated by HSC Trusts on the basis of bed numbers per home.
£5m Announced For NI's Care Home Sector
A £5 million support package has been announced to help Northern Ireland's care home sector with rising energy costs. Care homes, like the rest of society, have been dealing with sharply rising energy prices. The £5m funding will be allocated by HSC Trusts on the basis of bed numbers per home.
11 March 2003
Primary care must be strengthened says Browne
The role of primary care has to be strengthened and expanded, NIO Health Minister Des Browne has told delegates at the ‘Primary Care-Moving Forward’ conference in Armagh today.
Primary care must be strengthened says Browne
The role of primary care has to be strengthened and expanded, NIO Health Minister Des Browne has told delegates at the ‘Primary Care-Moving Forward’ conference in Armagh today.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A chilly start with a widespread frost and some freezing fog, any freezing fog slow to clear. Otherwise bright with sunny spells and coastal showers. Light winds. Maximum temperature 6 °C.Tonight:Coastal showers dying out with a widespread frost developing along with freezing fog, which could become extensive. Winds remaining light. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
