Other NI News In Brief

Toasting Magners Success

The Magners Northern Ireland Golf Championship - billed as one of the Province's most prestigious golfing tournaments - took place recently at Royal Portrush Golf Club. Over 300 competitors took part in the event. After five days of intense competition Alan Dunbar from Rathmore Golf Club emerged as the overall champion defeating Dermot McElroy from the Ballymena club in the final play off. James Simpson (left) of Tennent's NI, suppliers of Magners, is pictured presenting Alan Dunbar with the Magners Northern of Ireland Golf Trophy. Also pictured is Magners promotional girl Kat Thompson.

Prison Targets Set

Northern Ireland's Prison Service has published its Corporate and Business Plan along with a raft of performance targets. The Corporate Plan sets out the major work programmes for the next three years, whilst the Business Plan outlines the Ministerial priorities, key performance targets and development objectives for the current financial year. Also included in the plan is an overview and update on progress so far on the Service’s Strategic Development Programme, commonly referred to as Blueprint. Justice Minister, David Ford said: "The Hillsborough Agreement included a review of the conditions of detention, management and oversight of all prisons and I have established a rolling review to set out the direction of the Service in the new dispensation. I look forward over the coming months to working closely with the Service and its staff in improving the way it delivers its responsibilities on behalf of all the people of Northern Ireland."

IFA Goes Mobile

The Irish Football Association has officially launched its first ever mobile website - mobile.irishfa.com. The move follows the launch earlier this month of the Association's newly designed official website (www.irishfa.com) and the mobile site aims to provide fans with all the latest information in an efficient and convenient manner. With smartphones now accounting for a significant proportion of internet consumption, the Association aims to provide a great outlet for fans and smartphone users to keep up-to-date with news on football in Northern Ireland, covering grassroots, domestic and the international game. The Irish FA's Head of Marketing and Communications, Geoff Wilson, welcomed the new mobile website: "This is the first time we have launched a mobile site and we hope our fans will enjoy it. The site aims to suit the needs of supporters and meet their demands given the current rise in smartphone usage."

Ruane Welcomes Psychologists

Delegates from the International School Psychology Association 32nd Annual Conference have been welcomed to Stormont. The conference, 'School Psychology: Making life better for the child' opened on Tuesday in Dublin Castle with delegates from over 40 countries being joined by Education Ministers from both parts of Ireland, Caitríona Ruane and Mary Coughlan. Speaking after the reception at Stormont, Education Minister, Caitríona Ruane, said: "Psychologists and psychological research have a part to play in all aspects of society. The role played in our schools has become more high profile with parents and teachers more aware of the benefits to be gained. This is the first time the ISPA conference has been held in Ireland. I welcome delegates from both near and far. International conferences such as these are invaluable in enabling global best practice to be shared, common challenges addressed and solutions found."

Kelly Shrugs Off Threats

Two death threats in as many days have been dismissed by a Stormont Junior Minister. North Belfast MLA Gerry Kelly has said that the latest threat on his life will no deter him or his party from continuing to represent and work on behalf of the electorate. Mr Kelly was speaking after his Sinn Fein constituency office received a death threat from the 'Orange Volunteers'. "As a Republican activist, threats against me are nothing new. Sinn Féin is committed to working to secure our Republican objectives while continuing to embed the peace and political processes."

(BMcC/GK)