Other NI News In Brief

Cameron Pushed On Saville

The SDLP Leader Margaret Ritchie has told PM David Cameron that the publication of the Saville Report, increased devolved powers for NI and protection of the block grant are the major issues to be tackled. Speaking after meeting him at Stormont House she said: "The Saville Report on Bloody Sunday should be published as swiftly as possible," she said, also underlining that the devolution of policing and justice must be seen as the 'beginning of the end' of this first phase of politics in NI. She also told the PM that he should do his best to protect against cuts until NI is "granted more fiscal latitude".

Glentoran Trust Praised

An East Belfast DUP MLA Robin Newton has congratulated the Glentoran Community Trust on being awarded the Royal British Legion's Friends of the Armed Forces Award for Community Groups in Northern Ireland. "Over the past year the Glentoran Community Trust has played a crucial role in aiding the Irish Guards during their tour of duty in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Their Home Comforts Appeal received support from throughout NI. Support from local people helped the trust send out many parcels," he said. "Aid such as this gives our troops a reminder that as they endure hardship on our behalf their bravery and courage earns them the highest respect of those at home."

Graves Of Bethany Infants Discovered

The unmarked graves of 40 children from a Protestant residential institution have been discovered in a Dublin cemetery. The graves contain the bodies of former residents of the Bethany Home in Rathgar, a combined maternity and children's home and women's detention centre and date from 75 years ago. A group of survivors, who say they suffered gross neglect there, are demanding access to the State's redress scheme, which applies to similar institutions. According to recently-discovered records, the infant-residents were buried in Mount Jerome Cemetery between 1935 and 1936. On average, two died each month out of 19 babies.

May Bank Holiday Post

Postal arrangements over the Bank Holiday on 31 May have been published, with no Royal Mail deliveries or collections on Monday, 31 May and full normal service resumed next day, on Tuesday. Post Office branches will be closed on Monday, 31 May and will then reopen on Tuesday, 1 June. For Parcelforce Worldwide, there will be no deliveries or collections on Monday, 31 May. Full normal service will also resume on Tuesday, 1 June.

Chad Soldiers Return

The remaining 186 Irish soldiers operating in Chad yesterday returned to Dublin. The Defence Forces, who have been based in the war torn country for the last two years were assigned to protect more than 400,000 refugees and internally displaced persons occupying refugee camps along the border with Darfur. A UN delegation which visited the Chadian capital N’Djamena in April was unable to persuade the Chadian government to allow the peace enforcement mission, Minurcat, to remain after the current mandate expired on May 15th. The regime told the UN its force was no longer required and that it would not be granted permission to stay.

Boyzone Star Sings The Blues

Boyzone's Ronan Keating has separated from his wife Yvonne after 12 years of marriage. A statement issued on the couple's behalf said: "With great sadness, Ronan and Yvonne Keating announce their separation. The separation is amicable and they will continue to work together in order to provide the best for their children. The family ask for privacy at this difficult time."

Test Drive Hell

A car has been hijacked while being taken for a test drive from a dealership in Co Antrim. It happened on Wednesday, when a man took a grey Audi A4 for a test drive in Mallusk accompanied by a salesman. He stopped close to a Tesco supermarket at nearby Maysfield where another man approached and opened the passenger-side door. The driver pushed an object into the salesman's side and told him to get out before the pair drove away.

Ireland Leads EU In Road Safety

Ireland has one of the best records in the EU at reducing the number of road deaths in recent years, the European Commission in Dublin said yesterday. The commission's Dublin office said Ireland achieved a 42% reduction in road fatalities since 2005, compared to an EU average reduction over the period of 35%. The commission attributed the fall in the numbers of road deaths in Ireland to strict enforcement of road safety legislation.

(BMcC/GK)