Other NI News IN Brief

Paddle Bann For UCF

The Ulster Cancer Foundation (UCF) is encouraging people to register for their latest sporting challenge to paddle and camp along the River Bann while raising vital funds for local cancer patients and their families. 'Paddle the Bann' is on Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th September when participants will spend two days canoeing along a 58 Km route with wild camping on the banks of the River Bann overnight. It is £25 to register and participants are asked to raise a minimum of £225 in sponsorship. Tents, camping equipment and Canadian canoes are included. For more information and to resister contact Sarah at UCF on: sarahatcheson@ulstercancer.org

Lurgan Alert Ends As More Ongoing

A second security alert in Lurgan ended this morning after police officers had last night responded to reports a suspicious object had been left in the Antrim Road area. The bomb scare started little more than an hour after an object on the railway line in the town was declared a hoax. However, in Bellaghy, investigations are still underway today into claims a device had been left in the village. Members of the public are being urged not to touch anything suspicious, but to contact police immediately. The Army bomb squad has also been called to examine a suspicious object on the Desertmartin Road in Tobermore. A home and a business have been evacuated and police have cordoned off a section of the road.

Child's Shooting On Agenda

A high level meeting between the Northern Ireland Office (NIO) and the family of Majella O'Hare, a 12-year-old schoolgirl shot by a soldier near her Co Armagh home in 1976, has been confirmed. NIO Minister Hugo Swire has said he plans to arrange a meeting between Secretary of State Owen Paterson and the relatives to discuss the Historical Enquiries Team's (HET) recent report into her death. Last week, the HET backed the original police investigation. Majella, from Whitecross, was on her way to church when she was hit in the back by a bullet. Army Private Michael Williams was charged with manslaughter after an RUC investigation, but was acquitted in court.

City Airport Supports Community

Thousands of pounds have aided local community projects near George Best Belfast City Airport. Its Community Fund has paid out over £36,000 to 11 projects, including a pantomime trip for Adoption UK (NI), new tracksuits for Castlereagh Young Footballers and new equipment for disabled children to enjoy safe horseriding. Since the fund was set up last year, it has supported children with autism at Helping Hands Community Group in Tullycarnet, young people with Down's Syndrome at Cregagh Diamontes Dance Group and two schools, St Joseph's and Victoria Park. Support has also been provided to the writers of the George Best musical Dancing Shoes and the airport has donated £5,000 to Priory College's fundraising efforts for Haiti. The airport is now inviting local residents and community groups to come along to two Community Information Days on August 26 and 27 to find out how they can apply for support from the Community Fund.

Fine For Water Overseer

NI Water Ltd was fined £500 plus £31 court costs at Newry Magistrates' Court this week for making a polluting discharge to a waterway. On 25 February 2008, a Water Quality Inspector, acting on behalf of the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (formerly the Environment and Heritage Service) inspected the Berry stream, Kilkeel and observed the presence of untreated sewage. The source was traced to a man hole adjacent to the Grahamville housing estate, Kilkeel.

East Project Funded

New funds have saved the Ballymac Playzone project, which was facing the axe after the Department for Health ceased to back it financially. The local community group have been given a lifeline thanks to vital funding from the Office of First Minister and Deputy First Minister which has unveiled its decision to step in with emergency funding, allowing the scheme to continue for another three months. The project, which operates under the auspices of Ballymac Community Group in east Belfast and is aimed at helping young children, was facing immediate closure.

Pigging Out

Specialist agricultural unit manufacturer, James Killen Ltd has secured new business in GB with support from Invest Northern Ireland. The success of the Kircubbin based firm, which designs, manufactures and installs pig and poultry units, follows a significant investment to expand into GB and develop their sales and marketing capabilities. The new business has been secured in Aberdeenshire where the firm has provided Scotland's second largest egg packer, Farmlay Eggs, with a new 15,000ft wooden chicken shed to support increased production activity. Invest NI offered support towards the company's development plans, which involved the appointment of a dedicated GB Sales Manager and an extensive programme of marketing activity.

Ballymena Business Alert

Traders are setting up their own business neighbourhood watch scheme at Pennybridge estate in Ballymena after big losses to crime in the past.

(BMcC/KMcA)