Other NI News In Brief

Somme Recalled

Around 200 ex-service men and women, civic representatives and Chelsea Pensioners have commemorated those from County Antrim and from across Ireland who fought in the bloody Battle of the Somme in 1916. Local MP Sammy Wilson was also at the now annual ceremony revived by the locally based Whiteabbey Royal British Legion over a decade ago. The service was conducted by the Rev Dr Sam Grant, who also underlined the continuing sacrifice of service personnel in the bloody conflict in Afghanistan, as the Last Post was sounded and wreaths were laid and the traditional two-minute silence observed high above Belfast Lough at the County Antrim War Memorial, Knockagh. The salute at a short parade afterwards was taken by the Queen's official representative, Joan Christie, the Lord-Lieutenant of Co Antrim. Pictured are Jimmy Hunter, from Rathfern, left, Vice President of Whiteabbey Royal British Legion with visiting Chelsea Pensioner, John McNaughton and Joe Seaton, Whiteabbey Royal British Legion. See: Veterans Week Marks Past Sacrifices

O'Loan Back On Side

A political party has lifted the suspension of one of its members. The SDLP's Declan O'Loan's period of suspension from the Northern Ireland Assembly began when leader Margaret Ritchie took action earlier in June after he issued an unauthorised Press statement calling for a single nationalist party. Ms Ritchie said: "I can confirm that the SDLP Parliamentary/Assembly whip has been restored to Declan O'Loan with immediate effect. He is an able and adept spokesperson in the finance and personnel portfolio and first-class constituency MLA in North Antrim." Mr O'Loan shocked senior SDLP members when in May he called for a single nationalist party and then quickly withdrew the statement when ordered to do so but Ms Ritchie suspended him from the Assembly party and from committees.

Tesco 'Refusal' Welcomed

South Antrim DUP Assembly Member Trevor Clarke has welcomed the announcement by NI Environment Minister Edwin Poots that he intends to refuse the application for an out-of-town Tesco super-store on the outskirts of Ballyclare. Mr Clarke said: "I welcome the announcement by the Environment Minister concerning this important issue. Many local traders had feared that a large-scale development of this type would have caused serious damage to the existing businesses in Ballyclare. Tesco is the largest supermarket chain in the United Kingdom and unfortunately history has shown us that the bigger the store they open on the outskirts of a town, the bigger the damage to existing retail concerns. I am pleased that the Environment Minister has taken this decision and has helped to secure the long-term viability of Ballyclare town centre."

Galway Firm Wins Space Agency Contract

A Galway firm has won contracts worth €1.9 million with the European Space Agency (ESA). Éire Composites Teoranta, which is based in Indreabhán, Co Galway, develops new technologies for next-generation space launchers and satellites. The new contracts will see the company making lightweight materials that can withstand extreme temperatures, pressures and turbulence in spacecraft. ÉireComposites Teoranta will employ three new engineering graduates to work on the projects. Over 50 Irish firms have secured ESA contracts worth more than €60 million in the past decade.

Kilkeel Man Fined For Planning Offence

A Co Down man was fined £500 plus £75 court costs and £13 summons costs at Newry Magistrates' Court for failing to comply with a Planning Service breach of condition notice. Robert Newell of Ballynahatten Road, Kilkeel failed to comply with the notice that required him to reinstate an extracted bank as detailed in his planning approval, for sand and gravel extraction at Greencastle Road, Kilkeel. Planning Service brought about the charges under Article 76A of the Planning (NI) Order 1991 - failing to comply with a breach of condition notice.

(BMcC/GK)