Other NI News In Brief

Stewart Denies 'Joint Enterprise'

The trial of Hazel Stewart, 47, who is accused of the double murder of her then husband, Trevor Buchanan, 32, and Lesley Howell, 31 whose bodies were found in a fume-filled car in Castlerock in May 1991 is continuing. The former dentist Colin Howell has already pleaded guilty and was jailed for 21 years, but his ex-lover, Mrs Stewart, from Ballystrone Road, Coleraine, denies entering into a joint-enterprise to murder their respective partners. She told police it was his plan and that she wanted nothing to do with it. At the time, it was thought that the two spouses had died as a result of a suicide pact, but their murder only came to light two years ago, when Howell, 51, confessed to the killings following a discussion with members of his church. Mrs Stewart's trial heard evidence from a friend of Howell's murdered wife Lesley, who told her that the dentist had previously dropped a live electric cable into her bath and then iinformed police investigating the Castlerock deaths in 1991 because she was suspicious of the former dentist.

Science Online

The Stormont Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster today announced a £937,000 funding package to significantly enhance the delivery of the Northern Ireland Science Park's (NISP) CONNECT Programme. The Department of Enterprise Trade and Investment is providing funding of up to £937,000 over five years, including £468,500 from the European Regional Development Fund. Based on the highly respected San Diego CONNECT Initiative, NISP CONNECT is designed to support potential entrepreneurs and start-up companies within high technology sectors. This support is provided on a pro bono basis by a community of experienced business mentors.

No Fees Rise For CAFRE

The NI Rural Development Minister Michelle Gildernew has today confirmed that she will not be increasing fees for full-time higher education students registered at CAFRE in 2011/12. The Minister said that her decision was aimed at encouraging people to invest in the necessary education to meet the changing needs of the agri-food industry in these challenging economic times. "I am obviously aware of proposed increases in Student Fees in England and the recommendations that have been released by Joanne Stuart. But I can reassure agri food students that I have no intention to increase fees and this is a policy that I intend to standby. Any rise could act as a deterrent for people from low income backgrounds entering higher education."

Double Murder Arrest

A man has been arrested in connection with the double murder of two men in Dublin last November. The man, who is aged in his 20s, was arrested in Kilbarrack around 8am and is being questioned at Finglas Garda Station. Glen Murphy, aged 20, and his 23-year-old cousin Mark Noonan were shot dead at a Tesco filling station at Clearwater in Finglas on 21 November. Gardaí searched five homes in Dublin early this morning but said they have yet to establish a clear motive for the murders and have not ruled out mistaken identity as neither of the young men were involved in serious crime.

McCann Boosts Dale Farm

FP McCann has won the contract to supply specially designed Ready Mix Concrete to Dale Farm's premises in Ballymena. The dairy business, Dale Farm is extending their premises in the Pennybridge Industrial Estate, and required a large quantity of Ready Mix Concrete for their extended yard. The job consisted of supplying 1000m3 of concrete in large pours over the duration of a few months. The Concrete used was specially designed with fibres, which removes the need to reinforce the concrete with steel, therefore reducing the overall costs of the project.

(BMcC/GK)