Other NI News In Brief

'Go East' Says Julian

UTV celebrity and east Belfast resident Julian Simmons launches the new Go East website www.goeastbelfast.com and Go East corporate brand to promote east Belfast's three vibrant retail districts - Ballyhackamore Village, Belmont Village and Bloomfield Avenue. The initiative is supported by Belfast City Council and Belfast Visitor Convention Bureau and is aimed at encouraging residents and tourists to shop locally and put east Belfast on the map.

Super Councils Sunk

As reported earlier this month, plans to reduce the number of Northern Ireland's councils from 26 to 11 are to be put on ice. NI Environment Minister Edwin Poots is expected to say the transition will now happen in 2015, event though £9m has so far been spent preparing for the changes. The plan would create four nationalist-dominated councils in the west and south, and six predominantly unionist councils in the north, east and centre. See: Supercouncils Proposal Sunk

Organised Crime Bust

Four men have been arrested in Belfast in connection with serious organised crime. They were detained about 10pm last night in what police described as a "proactive operation" in the Belvoir area. The men, aged in their 30s and 40s are being questioned by detectives from the PSNI's Organised Crime branch. There are no further details.

Belfast Child Found Dead

The police are investigating the sudden death of a 12-year-old boy in west Belfast after his body was discovered in the Falls Park. A police spokesman said they were informed of the death at 8pm on Wednesday evening. Enquiries are continuing and a post mortem is due to be carried out.

Dungannon Bomb Alert

Traffic is being disrupted on the A4 near Dungannon following a security alert. A caller to Craigavon hospital at about 11pm last night said a device had been left in the area of Granville Road. The Woodlough Road is closed between Parkanaur and Stangmore and diversions are in place at Parkanaur for those travelling eastbound. Traffic travelling westbound is being diverted off the motorway through Dungannon.

Guides For Victims

The NI Justice Minister David Ford has published two new guides to improve services to victims and witnesses of crime. 'A Guide to the NI Criminal Justice System for Victims and Witnesses of Crime' and 'A Guide to the NI Criminal Justice System for Bereaved Families and Friends Following Murder or Manslaughter', were unveiled by the Minister today during a visit to Londonderry. "These guides will provide both victims and witnesses of crime with crucial information about how the criminal justice system works, what to expect at every stage in the process and how to access additional information and support services," he said.

Revise Museum Call

The Stormont Culture Minister has asked museums to give more prominence to Ulster-Scots, the Orange Order and also to other views on the origin of the universe that include creationism, as in The Bible. Nelson McCausland wrote to the trustees of National Museums Northern Ireland saying he wants the issues given consideration in the short term.

Lyric Appoints Production Boss

Belfast's Lyric Theatre has announced the appointment of Conor McGivern to the post of Head of Production and Technical Services. The job will form part of the Lyric's senior executive team in preparation for opening the refurbished £18 million theatre on Ridgeway Street in spring 2011. With ultimate responsibility for all aspects of the theatre's back stage operations, Conor's post will involve managing technical teams, equipment, scenery and all other production elements. Conor said: "Joining the Lyric at this time is the most exciting event of my career so far. I look forward to contributing to the technical quality of our forthcoming season in the new theatre."

(BMcC/GK)