Other NI News In Brief

Use Sun Cream: Tesco

NI's short 'heat wave' summer last week saw almost half of those enjoying the sunshine not applying sun cream - according to a survey conducted by Tesco. Some 47% admitted that they hadn't used cream to protect their skin even though they do apply sun cream when on holiday abroad (83%). Caoimhe Mannion, Tesco NI Marketing Manager, said: "What we need to do now is to convey the message that the sun here is equally as unsafe to be exposed to without the right protection," also noting that 64% of shoppers would purchase sun cream if it was on offer in store. But she said, more encouraging findings from the survey confirmed that 91% use a high protection cream on their children. See: Severe Burns For Brighton Beach Baby

Shankill Shooting Fatal

Justice Minister David Ford has condemned Friday's murder on the Shankill Road. David Ford said: "This cold blooded murder in broad daylight will shock people across Northern Ireland. Those who carried out this killing are to be condemned and anyone with any information should bring it to the police." The incident was reported to police shortly after 1pm on Friday. The victim, who is believed to be in his mid 40s, died after at least two masked gunmen shot their victim in the face at the corner of Conway Street and the Shankill Road. The gunmen were seen running off through nearby Conway Street which was packed with lunchtime shoppers.

SF Office Bombed

Sinn Féin MLA for South Down Caitríona Ruane has condemned those responsible for attacking the party's constituency office in Castlewellan. "This attack has caused considerable damage and has put our office staff and members of the public at great risk," she said, noting that if anyone has any information regarding this attack they should "bring it forward". The remains of a partly exploded pipe bomb was recovered outside the Sinn Féin office in Co Down after police said the device was found outside premises on the Circular Road at 3am.

Derry Alert 'Hoax'

Several houses in Londonderry were evacuated on Thursday night because of a security alert. Army bomb officers carried out two controlled explosions shortly after 5am on Friday and the suspicious device which was left at the roadside at O'Connor Court in Ballymagroarty was declared an elaborate hoax.

Death Bus Driver Cleared

A bus driver who knocked down and killed a schoolgirl in downtown Belfast could not have avoided her, an inquest has heard. Ciara Park, 16, was trapped under the double-decker vehicle in the city centre in November 2008. Witnesses told the inquest that Miss Park had not glanced around as she crossed Castle Place in early evening darkness.

Larne Omniplex Underway

Work has begun on an eight-screen, fully digital cinema in Larne. The £5 million 1,100-seater Omniplex is due to open in November, just five months after Asda opens a supermarket on the same Redlands site on June 7. Employing up to 40 staff, the Omniplex will feature a 300-seater main screen cinema and seven others that will accommodate 100 people upwards. Contracts were exchanged with development firm McKenzies (NI) earlier this month.

Cadets On Parade

The Ballyclare May Fair Mayors Parade this Saturday 29th May will see all three branches of the services' cadet forces taking part as part of the celebrations across the world to mark 150 years of the cadets as one of the oldest youth organisations in the UK. The newly formed 1st (NI) Cadet Battalion Band will be on display leading cadets from across NI to showcase the dedication and commitment of both young people and adult volunteers to the movement which since 1856 in sport, citizenship, adventerous training and developing a sense of pride and ownership and worth in their local communities. "The motto of the Army Cadet Force 'Inspire To Achieve' is as true today as it was 150 years ago as young people involved in the Sea Cadets, Army Cadets and Air Triaining Corps 'Live The Adventure'," said a spokeman just before this weekend's parade.

Hotel Bid For Coast Road

Plans to build a four-star hotel, spa and conference centre on the Coast Road in Larne have been unveiled to local councillors. Leonard Swan and Sons intends to purchase the land at 1-15 Coast Road - which is currently under council ownership - in the hopes of extending the promenade and building the 120-bedroom facility. David Swan revealed plans to members at the latest meeting of the development committee in Smiley Buildings. Other local landowners and residents who could be affected by the proposal were also invited to attend the meeting.

Linwoods Expands

Linwoods in Armagh is being assisted by Invest Northern Ireland to expand export sales as part of a £4.3 million expansion programme. The company is aiming to grow its existing sales of bread and milk products in the Republic of Ireland and to expand exports of its health foods to new markets including the US and Europe. The expansion plan was announced by John Woods, Managing Director of Linwoods, and welcomed by Ian Murphy, Invest NI's Managing Director of Clients and Entrepreneurship, during a visit to the company's premises at Hamiltonsbawn Industrial Estate. Invest NI has offered assistance totalling £300,000 to the expansion, which will also lead to 21 new jobs in bread and milk, and 13 in a new seeds line for its fast growing health foods over the next three years. Linwoods currently employs 250 people.

Rail Forum in Spain

NI Transport Minister, Conor Murphy, has addressed the 7th International Rail Forum in Spain. "I welcome the opportunity to be in Valencia to speak about railway policy and how developing public transport can help to achieve economic recovery at this time." He explained that investment in railway services had increased considerably since the devolution of powers to local politicians: "Over the past six years, funding of over £200m has been invested for capital projects across the network, and over the same period revenue funding of some £130m to meet public service obligation requirements. Future investment includes the purchase of another 20 new trains at a cost of some £105million, with £37m earmarked to fund a new train maintenance facility and a series of platform extensions. A major track relay is also planned for Coleraine to Derry with work due to commence in 2012," he said.

(BMcC/GK)