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18/08/2009
Other NI News In Brief
Londonderry Air 'Poisoned'
People living in the path of a plume of smoke from a massive tyre fire in Londonderry have been warned to stay inside and shut their doors and windows, the Fire Service has said. More than 10,000 tyres went on fire at a depot in the Pennyburn Industrial Estate and at the height of the blaze it took 41 firefighters to bring it under control. Jonathan Tate of the Fire Service said people in the Hazelbank, Ballymagroarty and Northland Road areas should close their windows.
Black Mountain Centre Trashed
A visitor centre for the iconic Divis and Black Mountain area has been vandalised. The National Trust, which owns the mountain area overlooking Belfast, said the Long Barn facility, which opened in March, was smashed up on Friday. The main entrance gate onto the mountain was forced and vandals used bolt cutters on steel shutters and a main door to gain access to the Long Barn. A flat screen TV that was bolted to the wall was damaged and the vandals broke down doors with a sledgehammer and ransacked the warden's office.
Disabled Man Robbed
A Shankill Road man who is disabled has been robbed. Sam Spence, who is in his late forties, was asleep in the bedroom of his Canmore Close home when burglars forced their way in and stole his wallet which contained £1,500 of holiday money. The wheelchair-bound victim, who has to have regular kidney dialysis, was paying for his entire family's trip to a special centre in Wales.
Primaries Target Languages
An innovative programme giving primary schools the opportunity to offer lessons in Irish or Spanish to pupils has been well received. The scheme, which was introduced during 2007/08 by the NI Education Minister Caitríona Ruane, has got the thumbs up from a report by the Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI). Speaking about the report, Chief Inspector of the ETI, Stanley Goudie said: "Given this is a relatively new programme, the fact that over one quarter of primary schools have opted in to it indicates how well received it has been. More than 13,000 children are benefiting directly from the programme," noting the programme helps young children "develop their language skills and can enrich their schooldays".
Car Teen Suspects Held
Three teenagers have been arrested after two cars collided in west Belfast at the weekend. The trio were held after as it emerged that a silver Vauxhall Vectra and white Vauxhall Corsa had crashed on the Andersonstown Road at 10.15pm on Sunday. Five teenagers were injured in the collision, although none were seriously hurt. Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward.
Traffic Wardens' Return Praised
The Stormont Regional Development Minister Conor Murphy has welcomed news of a resolution to the recent traffic attendant's dispute. "I want to pay tribute to all of those involved in working to resolve this dispute, including the traffic attendants, their trade union NIPSA and employer NSL Service and welcome the announcement that an agreed resolution has been found," he commented. Meanwhile, party colleague, Sinn Féin spokesman for Regional Development Raymond McCartney also welcomed news that a resolution has been agreed. Mr McCartney said: "Sinn Féin have offered those workers affected in this dispute our full support from the outset and welcome today’s news of a deal."
New Lodge Festival Kicks Off
A successful north Belfast community festival will get underway this weekend. The annual Greater New Lodge festival - just launched at North Queen Street Community Centre - has been an annual event since the 1970s. It will run from Saturday, August 22, to Sunday, August 30. It is run exclusively by volunteers and receives a warm response from the community each year it returns.
(BMcC/KMcA)
People living in the path of a plume of smoke from a massive tyre fire in Londonderry have been warned to stay inside and shut their doors and windows, the Fire Service has said. More than 10,000 tyres went on fire at a depot in the Pennyburn Industrial Estate and at the height of the blaze it took 41 firefighters to bring it under control. Jonathan Tate of the Fire Service said people in the Hazelbank, Ballymagroarty and Northland Road areas should close their windows.
Black Mountain Centre Trashed
A visitor centre for the iconic Divis and Black Mountain area has been vandalised. The National Trust, which owns the mountain area overlooking Belfast, said the Long Barn facility, which opened in March, was smashed up on Friday. The main entrance gate onto the mountain was forced and vandals used bolt cutters on steel shutters and a main door to gain access to the Long Barn. A flat screen TV that was bolted to the wall was damaged and the vandals broke down doors with a sledgehammer and ransacked the warden's office.
Disabled Man Robbed
A Shankill Road man who is disabled has been robbed. Sam Spence, who is in his late forties, was asleep in the bedroom of his Canmore Close home when burglars forced their way in and stole his wallet which contained £1,500 of holiday money. The wheelchair-bound victim, who has to have regular kidney dialysis, was paying for his entire family's trip to a special centre in Wales.
Primaries Target Languages
An innovative programme giving primary schools the opportunity to offer lessons in Irish or Spanish to pupils has been well received. The scheme, which was introduced during 2007/08 by the NI Education Minister Caitríona Ruane, has got the thumbs up from a report by the Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI). Speaking about the report, Chief Inspector of the ETI, Stanley Goudie said: "Given this is a relatively new programme, the fact that over one quarter of primary schools have opted in to it indicates how well received it has been. More than 13,000 children are benefiting directly from the programme," noting the programme helps young children "develop their language skills and can enrich their schooldays".
Car Teen Suspects Held
Three teenagers have been arrested after two cars collided in west Belfast at the weekend. The trio were held after as it emerged that a silver Vauxhall Vectra and white Vauxhall Corsa had crashed on the Andersonstown Road at 10.15pm on Sunday. Five teenagers were injured in the collision, although none were seriously hurt. Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward.
Traffic Wardens' Return Praised
The Stormont Regional Development Minister Conor Murphy has welcomed news of a resolution to the recent traffic attendant's dispute. "I want to pay tribute to all of those involved in working to resolve this dispute, including the traffic attendants, their trade union NIPSA and employer NSL Service and welcome the announcement that an agreed resolution has been found," he commented. Meanwhile, party colleague, Sinn Féin spokesman for Regional Development Raymond McCartney also welcomed news that a resolution has been agreed. Mr McCartney said: "Sinn Féin have offered those workers affected in this dispute our full support from the outset and welcome today’s news of a deal."
New Lodge Festival Kicks Off
A successful north Belfast community festival will get underway this weekend. The annual Greater New Lodge festival - just launched at North Queen Street Community Centre - has been an annual event since the 1970s. It will run from Saturday, August 22, to Sunday, August 30. It is run exclusively by volunteers and receives a warm response from the community each year it returns.
(BMcC/KMcA)
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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.
