On this day in Northern Ireland news history

400,000 Hours Of CCTV Footage Seized In DCI Caldwell Shooting Investigation
An estimated 400,000 hours of CCTV footage has been seized by PSNI detectives investigating the attempted murder of Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell.

NI Students Collect 12 Medals At 2023 SkillBuild Finals
Students from Southern Regional College have collected a total of twelve medals at the SkillBuild NI Finals 2023 held by The Construction Industry Training Board NI (CITB NI).

Three Men Arrested In Connection With Armed Hijacking
Three men have been arrested in connection with an armed hijacking and subsequent collision in the Newtownards area on Thursday, 18 May. At around 8.30pm last night, police received a report that a vehicle had been hijacked in the East Street area of Newtownards.

AIB Group Announces Second Annual €1 Million Fund
Some 70 community charity groups across Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK are set to benefit from the latest AIB Group's €1 Million Fund.

Major Westlink Works To Begin On 26 May
The Department for Infrastructure has announced that a major resurfacing scheme on the Westlink in Belfast, will now commence on Friday, 26 May 2023.

Suspended Jail Sentence For Self-Employed Builder
A self-employed builder has been given a suspended jail sentence after pleading guilty at Belfast Crown Court to carrying out "substandard and unsafe" work.

Appeal For Information On Spate Of Burglaries In Mid Ulster
PSNI detectives have issued an appeal for information following a number of recent burglaries across the greater Mid Ulster area.

Four Arrested In Connection With Drug Seizure In L'Derry
Police in L'Derry have made four arrests and seized drugs worth an estimated £50,000 during a proactive operation on Wednesday, 17 May. The arrests and seizure of suspected Class B drugs (cannabis) were made by the Paramilitary Crime Task Taskforce (PCTF) and the Organised Crime Branch.

UK Govt To Ensure Abortion Services Are Commissioned In NI
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Brandon Lewis, will today (Thursday 19 May) take further legislative steps to ensure abortion services are commissioned for women and girls in Northern Ireland.

Executive Must Be Formed To Fix The Health Service
An Executive must be formed to start fixing the health service and invest the extra £1 billion needed to tackle waiting lists and hire health workers, Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew. The party's health spokesperson has called on the DUP to end its boycott of the Executive and get back to work.

Communities Minister 'Determined' To Continue To Deliver
Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has said that she is "determined" that her department will continue to deliver. Minister Hargey has tasked officials to focus policies and funding on supporting people through the cost of living crisis.

34-Year-Old Jailed For Drug Offences
Detectives from the PSNI's Organised Crime Unit have welcomed the sentence handed down to Nathan Greene at Downpatrick Crown Court today, Thursday 19 May.

Ulster Bank To Close Nine Branches In NI
Ulster Bank is set to close nine branches across Northern Ireland as more customers move to online and mobile banking. The branches, which will start to close in September through to mid-October, are in Holywood, Warrenpoint, Dunmurry, Antrim, Ballymoney, Larne, Comber, Maghera and Clogher.

SF Accused Of 'Showing Its True Colours' Over Border Poll
Sinn Fein has been accused of "showing its true colours" by calling for clarity on the requirements of a border poll, DUP Foyle MLA Gary Middleton has said.

SDLP Calls For More Action On Crime Against LGBT+ Community
The SDLP has said that more needs to be done to tackle crime against the LGBT+ community. Belfast councillor Séamas de Faoite was speaking after the PSNI revealed the number of homophobic and transphobic motivated crimes reached the highest financial year figure since records began in 2004/05.

Drugs And Cash Seized In Investigation Linked To INLA Criminality
A quantity of suspected Class A controlled drugs with an estimated street value of £6,000 and a quantity of cash has been seized during a search operation in L'Derry by the PSNI's Paramilitary Crime Task Force, investigating criminality linked to the INLA.

NI Businesses Urged To Apply For Queen's Award For Enterprise
Northern Ireland businesses are being encouraged to apply for the prestigious Queen's Award for Enterprise – a globally recognised royal seal of approval for UK companies.

PM Publicly Apologises To Families Of Ballymurphy Victims
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has apologised to the families of the Ballymurphy victims in the House of Commons. Mr Johnson read out the names of the victims killed in west Belfast 50 years ago in shootings involving British soldiers.

Hovis Pay Talks End 'Without Success'
Discussions aimed at bringing an end to the Hovis bread strike have ended "without success" according to Unite the union. Picket lines will remain in force at Hovis' Apollo Road site as bread shortages mount across retail outlets in NI.

Executive Accused Of Failing To Push Ahead With Many Significant Issues
The NI Executive has been accused of failing to push ahead on a number of issues including post-RHI reform and the removal of flammable cladding from high-rise buildings. Alliance North Down MLA Andrew Muir said there was "no excuse" to continue blocking these decisions.

Over 40 Firefighters Tackle Lisburn Road Blaze
Over 40 firefighters battled a blaze in an apartment block for over two hours on the Lisburn Road in south Belfast on Monday, 17 May. Fire crews arrived at the scene between Windsor Road and Ethel Street at 2.22pm and brought the flames under control by 5.07pm.

Consultation Launches Over Plans To Improve Ballymena Park & Ride
A public consultation has launched on proposals for enhanced facilities at Ballymena Park and Ride. The proposed plans will provide an additional 400+ parking spaces at Ballymena Bus and Rail Centre.

'Offensive Weapon' Found In West Belfast Park
PSNI have found an "offensive weapon" at Falls Park in west Belfast. Police said the object could have "seriously hurt" young children if they had found it or fallen on it.

Cancer Focus NI Welcomes Standardised Packaging For Tobacco
Cancer Focus NI has welcomed the Northern Ireland-wide introduction of 'plain' tobacco packaging. From Saturday 20 May, cigarettes and tobacco will no longer be sold in branded packs but will be in standardised green packages with larger picture warnings about the dangers of smoking.

Plans To Extend Sunday Trading Hours Rejected
Plans to extend Sunday trading hours in Northern Ireland have been rejected following a vote at Belfast City Council. The council voted 12-3 opposing the the move. The DUP, Sinn Fein and the SDLP were all against the proposals.

Investigation Launched After Reported Rape In North Belfast
Police have launched an investigation after a woman was allegedly raped in north Belfast. The incident happened on the Cavehill Road in the Waterworks area at around 8.30pm on Wednesday, 17 May. Enquiries are ongoing. No further details have been released.

'Substantial Amount Of Cash' Stolen From Church In Co Down
Police are appealing for information following a burglary at a church in Co Down. The incident happened at Elim Penetcostal Church in Dundonald sometime between Saturday, 13 May, and Monday, 15 May. A substantial amount of cash was stolen which was being used for a children's fun day.

Portadown Builder Jailed Over Death Of Worker
A Portadown building contractor has been ordered to serve 12 months in prison for the manslaughter of an employee who fell from a roof in Co Armagh, the Court of Appeal ruled on Thursday, 18 May. Mr Norman McKenzie admitted the manslaughter of Petyo Hristanov on 20 January 2015.

SF Condemns Petrol Bomb Attack In Co Antrim
Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney has hit out at those involved in petrol attack in Crumlin, Co Antrim. The incident happened at a property in Ballydonaghy Meadow's at around 4.30am on Friday, 19 May. A mother and child, who were in the house at the time, escaped uninjured.

Decrease In Number Of Children On Protection Register
Over 2,000 children in Northern Ireland are on the Child Protection Register, according to new figures from the Department of Health. A total of 2,130 children listed on the register at the end of March - a 3% decrease on the previous quarter.

Queen's Leads One Of The Biggest Trials In Respiratory Failure
Researchers at Queen's University Belfast are taking part in one of the biggest clinical trials in the world which could save thousands of lives in Intensive Care Units.

Baby Giraffe Makes Debut At Belfast Zoo
A baby giraffe named Gilbert has been delighting visitors at Belfast Zoo. Gilbert, an endangered Rothschild giraffe, was born to mother, Daisy and father, Finn, on Sunday 07 May. The zoo introduced him as part of endangered species day on 19 May.

Shop Workers Protest Over Extended Trading Hours On Sundays
A number of shop workers have taken part in a protest outside Belfast City Hall to oppose extending trading hours on Sundays. Usdaw the union led the demonstration after a member survey came out 6:1 against.

Deloitte To Create Additional 300 Jobs
A professional services firm has announced it is to create an additional 300 jobs in Northern Ireland. Deloitte said it aims to recruit 1,000 people in Belfast by 2020. The firm currently has 460 workers in NI and over 40 apprentices are expected to start in September this year.

'Exporting Is Great' Roadshow Tours NI
A UK Trade & Investment roadshow is touring Northern Ireland as part of a campaign to boost exports. Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Theresa Villiers MP and Invest NI CEO Alastair Hamilton officially launched 'Exporting is GREAT' roadshow at Titanic Belfast.

Investigation Launched Following Arson Attack On Baptist Church
Police have launched an investigation following an arson attack on a Baptist Church in Co Down. Tyres were put up against the side of the building on the Loughbrickland Road in Rathfriland and set alight between 11pm and 11.30pm on Wednesday, 18 May.

Two Arrested Following Armed Robbery In East Belfast
Two people have been arrested in connection with an armed robbery in east Belfast. The incident occurred at commercial premises on the Upper Newtownards Road at around 11.50pm on Tuesday, 17 May. A man, aged 26, and a woman, aged 28, were arrested on suspicion of armed robbery.

Five Men Arrested Following Burglary In Co Armagh
Five men have been arrested in connection with a burglary in Portadown, Co Armagh. A black Saab car which had made off from police in Newry on Thursday morning, 19 May, was later stopped in the Ballymore Road in Tandragee.

Police Did Not Fail To Help Man Over Fears Family Member Was Contemplating Suicide
Police did not fail to come to the aid of a man who asked for help over fears a family member was contemplating suicide, according to the Police Ombudsman.

Life Saving Defibrillators Installed In Five Parks Across Belfast
Belfast City Council has installed life-saving defibrillators in five parks across Belfast. The defibrillators, which can be used to help someone suffering a cardiac arrest, have been installed in Victoria Park, Waterworks Park, Boucher Playing Fields, Tullycarnet Park and Fullerton Park.

Woman Dies Suddenly At Craigavon Hospital
Police have launched an investigation following the sudden death of a woman at Craigavon Area Hospital on Wednesday, 18 May. It is believed the 50-year-old died following a fall. The Southern Health and Social Care described it as a "tragic accident".

Queen's Uni Astronomers To Search For Exploding Stars Using World's Largest Digital Camera
Queen's University astronomers are to search for exploding stars, comets and potentially hazardous asteroids using the world’s largest digital camera. The Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST) is currently being built in the Chilean Andes. The 3.

Three Cows Cause Traffic Chaos On M1
Three cows have caused traffic chaos for motorists on the M1 in Co Antrim. The animals were making their way into Belfast on the outside lane just before J3 Blacks Road. They have now been moved off the motorway and into a nearby field. However, police are urging drivers to expect delays.

Ashers Bakery Guilty Of Discrimination
A judge has found a Christian run bakery guilty of discrimination over its refusal to make a cake with a slogan supporting gay marriage. Ashers Baking Company was asked by Gareth Lee to make a cake with Sesame Street characters Bert and Ernie with a motto in support of gay marriage.

Prince Charles Meets SF President Gerry Adams
The Prince of Wales has shaken hands with Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams during his royal visit to Galway, Ireland. Mr Adams announced on 17 May representatives of his party would meet with the Prince during his four day trip.

ER Media To Create Seven New Jobs
ER Media in Banbridge is investing almost £400,000 and creating seven new jobs as part of plans to grow its global sales via its e-commerce printing web sites Need A Print and Pixa Prints.

RNLI Launches Search For Missing Ferry Passenger
Bangor Coastguard and Donaghadee Lifeboat have launched a search after receiving a report of a missing person from an overnight ferry. The ferry was travelling from Birkenhead in Liverpool to Belfast. The RNLI received a call at 8.40am after the ferry arrived. Crews were launched at 8.54am.

Two Arrested Over Dissident Republican Activity
Two people have been arrested over dissident republican activity in Newry. A 50-year-old man and a 46-year-old woman were arrested following searches at properties in the area on Tuesday morning. They have been taken to the PSNI Serious Crime Suite for questioning.

NI Quarry Safety Campaign Launches
Northern Ireland Executive Ministers David Ford and Mark Durkan have launched a campaign highlighting the dangers of disused quarries. The initiative was developed following an audit of high risk quarry sites. The 'Quarry water is a stone-cold killer.

Health Agency Completes On-Site Work At H&W Following Pneumococcal Outbreak
The Public Health Agency (PHA) has announced it has completed on-site work at Harland and Wolff in Belfast following an outbreak of pneumococcal disease. A small number of people who had been working on the site contracted pneumococcal disease.

UUP Leader Mike Nesbitt 'Acting As A Cheerleader' - Murphy
A Sinn Féin councillor has accused UUP Leader Mike Nesbitt of "acting as a cheerleader" after a meeting with Prime Minster David Cameron. Mr Conor Murphy made the comments over the Tories cuts agenda. He said: "The Tories have cut £1.

Yellow Door Creates 20 New Posts
Yellow Door has created 20 new jobs with the opening of the Yellow Door restaurant at Belfast Furniture Mall, located in south Belfast's Balmoral Plaza.

Entrepreneurs See Their Business Ideas Flourish
Budding entrepreneurs from across the city are seeing their business ideas flourish after taking part in an enterprise programme, funded by Belfast City Council.

Second Illegal Fuel Plant Discovered In Jonesborough
Customs officials have dismantled a second illegal fuel plant in Jonesborough, south Armagh, after another laundering plant was found the previous Friday inside an agricultural shed. The illegal diesel plant was discovered in an isolated farm building on Friday by HMRC officers.

PSNI Launch New Phone Line To Report Racist Hate Crimes
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has launched a new phone line to be dedicated to the reporting of racist hate crimes, following the increased number of racist attacks. Assistant Chief Constable Will Kerr said the service can be accessed by dialling 101.

Northern Ireland Retail Sector Shows April Recovery
NI Shopping figures have increased by almost 13% in April compared to the same period last year, according to the Northern Ireland Retail Consortium (NIRC). The vacancy rate in Northern Ireland was 17.2%, marginally improved from the previous quarter.

Plans Announced For Next Stage Of Historical Institutional Abuse Inquiry
The Chairman of the Historical Institutional Abuse Inquiry, Sir Anthony Hart, has today announced that a team of Inquiry lawyers, support staff and Acknowledgement Forum Panel members will pay a second visit to Australia next month.

Michael Pearson Seriously Injured At Czech Superbike Race
Ballygowan motorcycle racer Michael Pearson, 37, has suffered serious injuries following a crash at the Horice road races in the Czech Republic at the start of the Superbike race . The former Irish Superbike champion endured a severe back injury and internal bleeding, according to reports.

Dickson Condemns Arson Attack On Church
Alliance East Antrim MLA, Stewart Dickson, has condemned those responsible for an arson attack on Whiteabbey Methodist Church on Saturday night. Three fires were started, causing damage to the kitchen, however fire crews were able to stop the fire spreading.

Work Begins On Belfast Rapid Transit Scheme
Transport Minister Danny Kennedy has confirmed that work has started on the implementation of the new Belfast Rapid Transit (BRT) system. Work on the Belfast Rapid Transit project has commenced with the construction of a new 520 space Park & Ride facility in Dundonald.

Couple Assaulted In Belfast Robbery
A couple have been assaulted by three men at their home in East Belfast. The men forced their way into the property on the Upper Newtownards Road on Sunday just after 10.30pm. The pair were tied up and attacked in the incident. The attackers got away with a large amount of jewellery.

Queen Adds Her Voice As Fitzgerald Mourned
Former Taoiseach, Dr Garret FitzGerald, 85, has passed away in a Dublin hospital after a short illness. He served as Taoiseach twice between 1981 and 1987 and made key negotiations in the Anglo-Irish Agreement of 1985 helping Northern Ireland work towards a peaceful future.

Royal Accolade Boosts Kildare Stud
The third day of the Queen's historic trip to Ireland has seen Her Majesty in her element as the horse lover enjoyed a trip to one of Ireland's top horse breeding centres. The Irish National Stud in Co Kildare has produced some of the most successful thoroughbreds at its centre near Dublin.

Eight Million Illicit Cigarettes Seized
Two Armagh men have been arrested this week and customs' officials have seized around eight million cigarettes - worth an estimated £1.7m in lost duty.

Derry Event Links Royal And Irish Navies
The Royal Navy's fishery protection vessel HMS Severn sails into Londonderry this weekend in support of the city's Foyle Days celebrations. Arriving mid morning on Friday, HMS Severn will dock at Queens Quay, along with Irish Navy fishery protection ship LE Emer, ahead of a busy weekend.

Eco Launch Marks New Term For DUP Minister
Northern Ireland's first ever heat recovering social housing scheme has been launched. The newly appointed Social Development Minister, Nelson McCausland has kick-started his new term by launching the innovative development of five houses.

Derry Builders Face 'False Advertising' Fine
A Limavady construction contractor who recklessly used the 'Constructionline' logo was this week fined £500 at Limavady Magistrates' Court.

Titanic Play Resurfaces
One of the most poignant plays written about the Titanic is to be floated again this weekend as Stewart Parker's 1975 radio drama, The Iceberg, is revived.

Farmers Discuss Reform With Agri Minister
NI farming representatives have been meting the newly installed Agriculture and Rural Development Minister (DARD), Michelle O'Neill. A joint delegation from the two main farming groups met her to discuss a range of key issues.

Jobseekers 'Willing To Work For Less'
Fierce competition among jobseekers in the professional services sector has forced many to rethink their salary expectations, according the results of a major, island-wide survey.

Hamilton Sweeps The Board At RICS Awards
An NI company, Hamilton Architects and its associate practice Kriterion Conservation Architects have won a total of five coveted Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) awards in as many days.

Foster Welcomes 0.8% Fall In Dole Queue
Unemployment is showing a marginal decrease with the latest data released today for the period January - March 2011 showing that the Northern Ireland unemployment rate decreased over the quarter to 7.2%.

Manor Reopens Following £3m Facelift
The newly appointed Stormont Culture Minister, Carál Ní Chuilín has unveiled the newly refurbished Cultra Manor at the Ulster Folk & Transport Museum.

Belfast Sewers Project 'Does The Business'
A multi-million pound project to completely rebuild and extend Belfast's previous Victorian sewage system has been completed.

Stalled Maze Project Costs Over £12M
Close to £12.5m has been spent on redeveloping the site of the former Maze Prison, it has emerged. Since its final closure, a planned development corporation was supposed to consider options regarding the future of the site, but that hasn't happened.

Sun Shines For Kingspan Investment
Solar energy has received a boost today with news of a £47m expansion by a company specialising in the renewable energy sector. The phased expansion, by Kingspan Renewables Ltd, aims to create 163 new jobs over the next five years.

Car Crime Unit Stays On Track
There's been a welcome for news that a contentious decision to shut down a dedicated car crime police unit in west Belfast has been overturned.

Council Supports Banbridge Ice Rink Plan
Builders could be 'dancing on ice' soon if a planned private sector proposal to build a full-sized ice rink in Co Down gets the go-ahead. The initiative seeks to build at Bridgewater Park, Banbridge and has already been given the backing of Banbridge District Council.

Water Resources 'Pooled', Says Poots
Water is again in focus this week as the NI Environment Minister Edwin Poots has launched a Partnership Agreement between the Association of Rivers Trusts and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency.

Estate Agent Chain Wins MP's Backing
There's renewed confidence in the housing market apparent in Northern Ireland this week with the launch of a new estate agent - with backing by Belfast's Lord Mayor and local MP.

Online Boost For House Sales Launched
There was a fillip this week for Northern Ireland's house sales market with the launch of new online sales facility. Almost £1 million has been invested in atatouch.

Construction Reaches 'End Of Road'
Infrastructure work on both major and minor road schemes in the Omagh area have been successfully completed. Others are in the planning with NI Transport Minister Conor Murphy welcoming the successful completion of Roads Service's past programme of works and the planned £3.

Roads Service Reports Competed Schemes
NI Transport Minister Conor Murphy has welcomed the successful completion of Roads Service's 2009/2010 programme of works and the planned £3.4million for structural road maintenance in the Omagh area this year.

Murphy: No Water Charges For 'Foreseeable Future'
Regional Development Minister Conor Murphy has said water charges in Northern Ireland are unlikely to be introduced in the foreseeable future.

Lisburn Protective Clothing Firm Celebrates
There are celebrations today as a local specialist protective clothing supplier, Global Armour, has announced a major deal. The Co Down-based firm has won fresh export contracts worth more than £4.5 million in a deal to supply thousands of pieces of personal protection.

Ruane 'Family Holiday' Absence Defended
The Stormont Assembly's Education Minister has admitted breaching her own department's guidelines. She took her 12-year-old daughter out of school for a 'holiday'.

Hooley's Good Vibrations For Big Screen
The man behind the emergence of Northern Ireland's own punk music revolution, Terri Hooley, (pictured) is to hit the big screen, reports Brenda McNeill.

Boy, 17, Injured In Belfast Gun Attack
A youth has been shot and injured in a paramilitary-style attack in west Belfast last night. Police said the 17-year-old remains in a non-life threatening condition in hospital. The shooting happened close to a convenience store on the Whiterock road around 10.

Irish Vodafone Customers 'Hang-up'
Figures from Vodafone Ireland just released show that its average monthly revenue per user fell 6% during the past year. The communications giant's average customer revenue therefore fell to €39.10 per month, down from €41.60 a year earlier - for billing to the end of March.

Sligo-Derry Train Figures Look Positive
A proposed rail-link between Co Donegal and Co Londonderry could attract up to 750,000 customers per year.

Minister Wilson Lauds Biodiversity Quarrying
Environment Minister Sammy Wilson has had a first hand view of what a Co Antrim quarrying firm is doing to promote biodiversity.

Traffic Wardens Protest Sacking
The people who police parking and traffic offences are in revolt. A group of traffic attendants are today to make a renewed protest after their sudden dismissal.

Tragedy Hits Co Tyrone Farm
A two-year-old boy has been killed in a farm accident in Co Tyrone. The incident involved a lorry and left toddler Tadhg Sweeney dead. He was playing outside his family home at Mullaghslin, Carrickmore, when the accident happened at about 6.30pm on Monday evening.

NI Protective Clothing Firm Celebrates
There are celebrations today as a local specialist protective clothing supplier, Global Armour, has announced a major deal. The Co Down-based firm has won fresh export contracts worth more than £4.5 million in a deal to supply thousands of pieces of personal protection.

Minister Lauds Biodiversity Quarrying
Environment Minister Sammy Wilson has had a first hand view of what a Co Antrim quarrying firm is doing to promote biodiversity.

Assembly Debate On Elderly Welcomed
An important Stormont debate on the care of the elderly - that was initially postponed - has now taken place. The British Medical Association in Northern Ireland and members of its Patient Liaison Group welcomed the Northern Ireland Assembly debate 'Health Provision for Older People', yesterday.

NI News In Brief
Omagh Bomb Alert Over Two suspicious objects found in Omagh - which sparked an evacuation last night - have now been declared harmless. The find, on the Dublin Road in the County Tyrone town at about 5pm on Sunday forced the evacuation of a number of families.

Belfast Nursing Posts May Be Lost
A confidential report - the details of which have just been 'leaked' - is highlighting the possible loss of as many as 3,000 health service jobs in the Belfast area.

Second Racing Dunlop Brother Buried
Both the First Minister Ian Paisley - who is also the local MP - and the Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness were in attendance yesterday at the funeral of motorcycling legend Robert Dunlop.

RUAS Eyes-Up Maze For 'Balmoral' Show
Last week's highly successful Royal Ulster Agricultural Society 'Balmoral Show' may have been the last to be held at the historic south Belfast location.

Further Road Casualties As Pedestrian Dies
It has been a weekend of road accidents and tragedy across the Province with news that a 57-year-old man has died in hospital after a crash in north Belfast on Wednesday morning. Mr Fred Bailie was a pedestrian who was involved in a collision with a car at 8.

Third Haul Of Cannabis Plants Recovered
Just days after a huge haul of cannabis plants were recovered by police in north Belfast - with those involved thought to be foreign nationals - six people of Chinese origin have been remanded in custody at Ballymena Magistrates Court - over two separate drugs incidents.

Minding Kids Is No Childsplay
Many families seeking childcare in Northern Ireland are finding the search difficult, according to a major new survey on childcare commissioned by NICMA - the Childminding Association.

Rally Ireland Will Kick Off 2009 Series
The roar of high performance rally cars is to return to Ireland early next year. As Rally Sardinia finished on Sunday - with another victory for Frenchman Sebastien Loeb, marking his 40th World Rally Championship win - news that Rally Ireland will launch 2009's 12-round series has emerged.

Paisley Puts Hands Of Time In Motion
Ian Paisley truly felt the hands of time upon him recently as the outgoing-First Minister officially started a clock mechanism at Belfast’s latest Titanic attraction.

Dunluce Castle Saved By Climbers
The crumbling rock-face close to the façade of one of Northern Ireland’s most impressive landmarks is being secured by abseiling enthusiasts. Rock falls around the edge of Dunluce Castle prompted safety concerns regarding the future of the world-famous site.

Parades Commission appointments "unlawful"
The High Court has today overturned the appointment of a prominent Orangeman onto the Parades Commission. A High Court judge quashed the appointment of Portadown Orange Order member, David Burrow, who was given the position in November last year.

Trimble calls for website closure after murder threat
Former Ulster Unionist Party Leader, David Trimble has written to the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, demanding that a website linked to the Real IRA, which is inciting his murder, be shut down.

Almost 200 jobs could go in Fermanagh
Almost 200 jobs could be axed if a County Fermanagh food plant is forced to close. Moy Park foods has said that it has entered into talks with staff over the possible closure of its factory, formerly known as Ferne Foods, in Lisnaskea.

Former university vice-chancellor admits drink driving charge
The former vice-chancellor of the University of Ulster has today pleaded guilty to charges of drink-driving. Professor Gerry McKenna, 52, did not appear at Coleraine Magistrates Court earlier today. His solicitor appeared on his behalf, confirming that he had admitted to the drink driving offence.

Unlawful sexual activity reported in Lisburn area
Police in Dunmurry have appealed for information after receiving a number of reports of unlawful sexual activity in the Giants Ring, Edenderry and Minnowsburn areas of the Lisburn district.

Woman robbed outside east Belfast café
Detectives in east Belfast have appealed for information after a woman was robbed yesterday afternoon. Police have said that the incident happened as the woman made her way to her car after finishing work at an Internet café on the Woodstock Road area of the city at around 4.30pm.

Lagan body not thought to be suspicious
Police have revealed that the death of a man whose body was recovered from the River Lagan yesterday was not suspicious. The body, believed to be that of a man in his 30s, was spotted yesterday morning by rowers in the Stranmillis area of south Belfast.

Belfast singer represents Ireland at Eurovision final
Belfast singer Brian Kennedy is to represent Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest final in Athens tomorrow night. The singer will perform one of his own compositions, entitled 'Every Song is a Cry for Love', which is hoped will win the contest for Ireland for an eighth time.

Surprise increase in High Street sales
Retail sales increased by 0.5% between March and April, the Office of National Statistics (ONS) has reported. However, the ONS also reported that the annual growth rate for retail sales had fallen to the lowest level since April 2003.

BT quarterly profits soar on 'new wave'
BT Group plc have reported a massive increase in its fourth quarter figures as the company spent less on jobs cuts and demonstrated increased sales performance. The UK's largest telecommunications company recorded a 2% improvement in turnover, which reached almost £4.

Internet connectivity increases on broadband popularity
The number of active subscriptions to the Internet increased by 4.9% between March 2004 and March 2005, according to the latest survey of Internet Service Providers (ISPs). The market share for permanent connections continued to increase in March, now accounting for 47.

DUP rule out SF power sharing
The DUP will not share power with Sinn Fein, party leader Ian Paisley said today following a meeting with Prime Minister Tony Blair in Downing Street.

Armagh man to face 61 Omagh bomb charges
A 35-year-old Co Armagh man is to face 61 new charges linked to the 1998 Omagh bombing in which 29 people were killed. Sean Gerard Hoey, from Jonesborough, appeared before court in Craigavon on Thursday to hear that he will face the new charges as well as 29 counts of murder next week.

Four people escape injury in gun attack
Four people, including a 10-year-old girl, have escaped injury in a gun attack on a house in Londonderry. The incident, which occurred at around 2.15pm on Thursday, saw a number of shots fired through the windows of a house in Melmore Gardens, in the Creggan area of the city.

LVF denies involvement in Ballyhalbert killing
A loyalist paramilitary organisation linked to the disappearance and murder of a Co Down woman in February has said its members were not involved in her killing.

Police issue bogus callers warning
Police in Belfast, Antrim and Downpatrick have warned the public to be wary following a number of recent incidents involving bogus callers. Over the past few weeks there have been several reports received by officers where a man and a woman have been involved in targeting the homes of older people.

Gun shot fired during hospital robbery
Detectives in west Belfast have issued an appeal for information following an armed robbery at the Royal Victoria Hospital (RVH) on Wednesday in which a gun shot was fired.

Hain welcomes £2m environmental Derry project
Secretary of State Peter Hain today welcomed the completion of a £2 million environmental improvement project that has enhanced the appeal of Londonderry as a tourist attraction.

Caterpillar investment to create 26 new jobs
Caterpillar Inc, the global manufacturing giant that is represented in Northern Ireland by FG Wilson Engineering, has announced that it is to create a second shared services operation here with the creation of 26 new jobs.

Hotelier fined for selling short measure beer
A Co Down hotelier has been fined £2,500 as part of a continuing Northern Ireland-wide campaign by the Trading Standards Service (TSS) to ensure licensed premises treat their customers fairly by “complying with all aspects of the law”.

Zoo mourns loss of much-loved chimpanzee
One of Belfast's most loved animals, Angela, the city Zoo’s 23-year old chimpanzee, has died suddenly following complications arising from a leg injury.

Murphy to meet parties ahead of marching season
Secretary of State Paul Murphy has confirmed he is to meet with Northern Ireland's main political parties ahead of this summer's marching season. Mr Murphy said he wanted to maintain the momentum created during last year's mainly peaceful summer.

Drugs seizure in Co Antrim
Police in Co Antrim have seized cannabis with a street value estimated at £1.75 million. The drugs were recovered following the search of premises in the Glarryford area of Ballymena. A quantity of an as yet unidentified white powder was also recovered.

Reducing workers' ill health must be given 'higher priority'
Protecting the health of Northern Ireland's labour force must be given much higher priority if the toll of workplace ill health is to be reduced across the province.

Queen's commences major study into 'lupus'
A major study into the effects of fish oils on lupus sufferers is to be carried out by researchers from Queen's University. Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE or 'lupus') is a disease affecting many organs within humans caused by the production of antibodies to the body's own tissues.

Spellar launches railway consultation document
Regional Development Minister, John Spellar today launched a two-month consultation on future investment in the railway network in Northern Ireland.

Survey to analyse post conflict truth and justice issues
A survey aimed at analysing attitudes towards post conflict truth and justice issues is to be undertaken in Northern Ireland.

Council encourages local companies to ‘look east’
Belfast City Council (BCC) is encouraging local businesses to ‘look east’ and avail of the opportunities presented to them by the recent expansion of the European Union.

Tradings Standards issue loft conversions warning
Homeowners planning to carry out loft conversions over the coming summer months are being advised to seek Building Control approval from their local district council.

Minister endorses drive for modernisation
The future of office accommodation for Northern Ireland’s 29,000 civil servants is to be a key feature in a major programme of reform and modernisation for public services.

Project assesses urban garden biodiversity
The Environment and Heritage Service (EHS) has commissioned a team from the University of Sheffield to carry out a survey of gardens in Belfast, assessing their value for wildlife.

Controlled explosion carried out at office of Republican SF
A suspect device has been found outside the offices of Republican Sinn Fein in west Belfast today. Army bomb experts carried out a controlled explosion on the device which contained an explosive substance attached to an alarm clock.

Two men deny extortion charges
Two men who appeared in court this morning have denied charges of demanding money with menaces.

Strabane firm invests £6m in expansion
A Strabane foods firm is to invest £6 million to double the size of its factory and expand sales of its pies and other foods outside Northern Ireland.

Trimble condemns arson attack on Glenavon
Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble says those responsible for an arson attack on the football ground of Glenavon FC are time wasters.

Hospital modernisation needs further development
Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Des Browne has today called on the Chairmen of the four Health and Social Services Boards to develop their local plans for the modernisation of hospital services following his announcement on ‘Developing Better Services’ in February.

NI built heritage set for province-wide tour
The Environment and Heritage Service ’s travelling Built Heritage exhibition "Expo" is set for a tour of Northern Ireland today starting with Belfast City Hall.

Belfast Pizza Hut robbed by gunmen
A Belfast city centre Pizza Hut restaurant was robbed by armed men yesterday. Two armed men entered the Dublin Road eating place at around 10.45pm last night and held one member of staff at gunpoint.

Northern Ireland businesses favour the euro
Almost two-thirds of Northern Ireland businesses would vote to join the euro if a referendum were held today, according to a poll conducted by business advisors, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) as part of its annual survey of business attitudes.

Rasharkin star basks in FA Cup limelight
The Co Antrim town of Rasharkin was revelling in the spotlight today following a remarkable FA Cup final performance by a local 21-year-old lad.

Passive smoking is damaging to health says HPA
There is no doubt that passive smoking poses a serious risk to our health the Health Promotion Agency for Northern Ireland stressed today.

Causeway and Belfast top agenda during National Trust visit
The National Trust's ongoing campaign to protect the landscape of the Giant's Causeway and its work with community groups in Belfast will be on the agenda when the charity's governing Council visits Northern Ireland this week.