Menu
23/06/2009
Other NI News In Brief
Shot Man Sentenced For Rape
The man jailed today for seven-and-a-half years for raping a 15-year-old schoolgirl in Londonderry in 2000 had previously been shot in a so-called paramilitary-style assault while awaiting sentence. Keith John Burnside, 38, from Rosemount Gardens, attacked his victim in his car at Sandbank Cottages after he gave her a lift. Judge Pat Lynch said it was a "planned and premeditated" attack, though his choice of victim was opportunistic. The sentencing was initially postponed after Burnside was shot in both legs by dissident republicans in March.
TV Personalities Clash On NI
Ulster-born presenter Gloria Hunniford has gone head-to-head with Esther Rantzen over her controversial claim last week that Northern Ireland people are "addicted to hatred". She stepped in to defend NI against the damning accusation made by the former That's Life host during an interview on Carolyn Stewart's U105 radio show to promote a new poll which ranked Belfast the friendliest city in the UK, Ms Hunniford warned of the dangers of speaking out on unfamiliar issues.
Somme To Be Recalled
Soldiers from Ireland who fought in the bloody Battle of the Somme are being remembered. Taking place at what is one of the most picturesque settings anywhere for a commemoration - high above Belfast Lough at the County Antrim War Memorial, Knockagh - it will be held on Sunday, 28th June. During a solemn act of remembrance at 11am, the salute will be taken by the Queen's official representative, Joan Christie, the Lord-Lieutenant of Co Antrim. The event will be one of a series of commemorations to recall the thousands of WWI Irish Soldiers from the 36th (Ulster) Division and comrades from the 16th (Irish) Division, who died fighting between 1 July and 13 November 1916 in the fateful battle. In a ceremony revived by the locally based Whiteabbey Royal British Legion well over a decade previously, wreaths will be laid and the traditional two-minute silence observed.
Zoo Blaze Probed
Belfast Zoo has lost an important visitor facility, with a cafe being destroyed in an overnight blaze. However, no animals were injured as a result of the fire, which broke out at the Mountain Tea House and was reported to the emergency services at approximately 12.30am on Tuesday. Fire personnel were unable to save the building such was the extent of the blaze. Belfast Zoo is currently celebrating its 75th anniversary.
£5.2 Funding For Ards Road Improvements
Work on a massive roads scheme, running through the centre of Newtownards, will be completed this summer, the NI Transport Minister has said. Announcing a further £5.2m funding package for the Ards area, Conor Murphy said construction of the A20 Southern Distributor is progressing well. The road is due to open within the next few months. Praising several other road maintenance schemes progressed in the Ards area last year, Mr Murphy said this year's increased allocation for structural maintenance would allow a larger number of resurfacing schemes to proceed on local roads this financial year.
Drugs Bust
Cocaine with an estimated street value of £100,000 has been seized in Coleraine. The drugs were found hidden in a hedge in the Greenhall Highway area of the town on Monday. A quantity of amphetamines valued at £10,000 were also discovered. There were no arrests, but the police said their inquiries were continuing. They have appealed for anyone with information regarding the sale, supply or misuse of drugs to contact them.
'Distinct' Built Heritage Praised
Northern Ireland Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster has addressed the Built Heritage Forum (BHF) in Belfast. The Built Heritage Forum is the umbrella group for organisations working in and around Northern Ireland's historic environment and meets on a quarterly basis. During her address, the Minister said that built heritage is a distinctive element of the built environment in Northern Ireland. Heritage tourism is among the fastest growing sectors of the visitor industry and has an important role for the local economy, particularly in the construction industry, regeneration and tourism. Mrs Foster also said that the five tourism signature projects - Titanic, St Patrick, Causeway Coastal Route, the Walled City and the Mournes - will help provide stand-out and show what is unique about Northern Ireland.
(BMcC)
The man jailed today for seven-and-a-half years for raping a 15-year-old schoolgirl in Londonderry in 2000 had previously been shot in a so-called paramilitary-style assault while awaiting sentence. Keith John Burnside, 38, from Rosemount Gardens, attacked his victim in his car at Sandbank Cottages after he gave her a lift. Judge Pat Lynch said it was a "planned and premeditated" attack, though his choice of victim was opportunistic. The sentencing was initially postponed after Burnside was shot in both legs by dissident republicans in March.
TV Personalities Clash On NI
Ulster-born presenter Gloria Hunniford has gone head-to-head with Esther Rantzen over her controversial claim last week that Northern Ireland people are "addicted to hatred". She stepped in to defend NI against the damning accusation made by the former That's Life host during an interview on Carolyn Stewart's U105 radio show to promote a new poll which ranked Belfast the friendliest city in the UK, Ms Hunniford warned of the dangers of speaking out on unfamiliar issues.
Somme To Be Recalled
Soldiers from Ireland who fought in the bloody Battle of the Somme are being remembered. Taking place at what is one of the most picturesque settings anywhere for a commemoration - high above Belfast Lough at the County Antrim War Memorial, Knockagh - it will be held on Sunday, 28th June. During a solemn act of remembrance at 11am, the salute will be taken by the Queen's official representative, Joan Christie, the Lord-Lieutenant of Co Antrim. The event will be one of a series of commemorations to recall the thousands of WWI Irish Soldiers from the 36th (Ulster) Division and comrades from the 16th (Irish) Division, who died fighting between 1 July and 13 November 1916 in the fateful battle. In a ceremony revived by the locally based Whiteabbey Royal British Legion well over a decade previously, wreaths will be laid and the traditional two-minute silence observed.
Zoo Blaze Probed
Belfast Zoo has lost an important visitor facility, with a cafe being destroyed in an overnight blaze. However, no animals were injured as a result of the fire, which broke out at the Mountain Tea House and was reported to the emergency services at approximately 12.30am on Tuesday. Fire personnel were unable to save the building such was the extent of the blaze. Belfast Zoo is currently celebrating its 75th anniversary.
£5.2 Funding For Ards Road Improvements
Work on a massive roads scheme, running through the centre of Newtownards, will be completed this summer, the NI Transport Minister has said. Announcing a further £5.2m funding package for the Ards area, Conor Murphy said construction of the A20 Southern Distributor is progressing well. The road is due to open within the next few months. Praising several other road maintenance schemes progressed in the Ards area last year, Mr Murphy said this year's increased allocation for structural maintenance would allow a larger number of resurfacing schemes to proceed on local roads this financial year.
Drugs Bust
Cocaine with an estimated street value of £100,000 has been seized in Coleraine. The drugs were found hidden in a hedge in the Greenhall Highway area of the town on Monday. A quantity of amphetamines valued at £10,000 were also discovered. There were no arrests, but the police said their inquiries were continuing. They have appealed for anyone with information regarding the sale, supply or misuse of drugs to contact them.
'Distinct' Built Heritage Praised
Northern Ireland Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster has addressed the Built Heritage Forum (BHF) in Belfast. The Built Heritage Forum is the umbrella group for organisations working in and around Northern Ireland's historic environment and meets on a quarterly basis. During her address, the Minister said that built heritage is a distinctive element of the built environment in Northern Ireland. Heritage tourism is among the fastest growing sectors of the visitor industry and has an important role for the local economy, particularly in the construction industry, regeneration and tourism. Mrs Foster also said that the five tourism signature projects - Titanic, St Patrick, Causeway Coastal Route, the Walled City and the Mournes - will help provide stand-out and show what is unique about Northern Ireland.
(BMcC)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
07 March 2023
New Built Heritage Educational Programme Announced
The Department for Communities has announced that an innovative educational programme aimed at preserving traditional building skills needed for protecting the historical built environment has reopened for applications.
New Built Heritage Educational Programme Announced
The Department for Communities has announced that an innovative educational programme aimed at preserving traditional building skills needed for protecting the historical built environment has reopened for applications.
15 March 2024
Latest All-Ireland Heritage Skills Programme Opens
Northern Ireland's aspiring craftspeople have been urged to apply for the latest All-Ireland Heritage Skills Programme, which has opened for applications.
Latest All-Ireland Heritage Skills Programme Opens
Northern Ireland's aspiring craftspeople have been urged to apply for the latest All-Ireland Heritage Skills Programme, which has opened for applications.
09 May 2022
All-Ireland Heritage Skills Programme Launches
The Department for Communities have announced that applications have opened for The All-Ireland Heritage Skills Programme, a course which aims to preserve heritage building skills that are at risk of being lost by supporting those already working in the construction sector to push their skills to the next level.
All-Ireland Heritage Skills Programme Launches
The Department for Communities have announced that applications have opened for The All-Ireland Heritage Skills Programme, a course which aims to preserve heritage building skills that are at risk of being lost by supporting those already working in the construction sector to push their skills to the next level.
17 June 2013
Attwood Announces Two Building Preservation Notices
Environment Minister Alex Attwood has placed Building Preservation Notices on two historic buildings. The buildings are an historic mill workers' terrace at 64-68 Dundrum Road, Tassagh, Co. Armagh, and the former Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion building at Durham Street in Belfast.
Attwood Announces Two Building Preservation Notices
Environment Minister Alex Attwood has placed Building Preservation Notices on two historic buildings. The buildings are an historic mill workers' terrace at 64-68 Dundrum Road, Tassagh, Co. Armagh, and the former Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion building at Durham Street in Belfast.
19 January 2007
Plan to build Ireland's tallest building in Belfast
Architects in Northern Ireland are planning to create a construction in Belfast city centre in a bid to gain the title of the tallest building in Ireland – rivalling U2's bid.
Plan to build Ireland's tallest building in Belfast
Architects in Northern Ireland are planning to create a construction in Belfast city centre in a bid to gain the title of the tallest building in Ireland – rivalling U2's bid.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A very mild, but mostly cloudy day, although with some bright or sunny spells. It will be mostly dry in the morning, but a little patchy light rain or drizzle at times in the afternoon. Maximum temperature 14 °C.Tonight:A band of heavier rain will move east during the evening before clearing eastwards after midnight. then mostly dry through the early hours, but a little rain towards dawn. Minimum temperature 8 °C.
