Other NI News In Brief

Tennent's Tops For Hastings

Top beer firm, Tennent's has won a five-year contract to supply draught beers and ciders to the Hastings Group. Tom McCusker, Managing Director of Tennent's N.I., said: "We have enjoyed a long and successful partnership with Hastings and the new contract is a tangible endorsement of both the quality of our brands portfolio and our commercial approach." In response, Howard Hastings, Managing Director of the Hastings Hotels Group, said: "Our companies' connections stretch back to the time of The Ulster Brewery of which Sir William Hastings was a director and shareholder. We are delighted to be offering Tennent's and Magners Draught in all our outlets and to be enjoying the service and support that Tennent's N.I. offers us." Tom and Howard Hastings are shown here with Europa barman Andy McQuillan.

Evidence Destroyed After Double Murder

Double murder accused Hazel Stewart admitted in police interview tapes that while she "wanted no part of a plan" to kill her husband and her lover's wife, she got rid of evidence after her policeman husband was murdered in her own home. Coleraine Court also heard Mrs Stewart tell police she encouraged her husband to take a sleeping tablet on the night of the murders and destroyed a garden hosepipe that was used to gas the victims while they slept. As well as cutting up and burning the hose on an open fire, she washed and replaced bed covers in the room where her husband was held down and gassed. See: Killer Dentist 'Used Gas To Sedate Lovers'

Belfast Teen Stabbed

An 18-year-old man has been stabbed several times in the back in Belfast city centre during a robbery in which his 15-year-old female friend was sprayed in the face. The incident happened in Music Hall Lane on Wednesday, shortly before 8pm. Two male youths in their mid-teens attacked the pair before making off with their mobile phone with the PSNI now appealing for witnesses having said that the stabbing victim's injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.

Ryanair Flies Derry-Tenerife

Budget Ryanair has launched a new weekly service to Tenerife from City of Derry Airport, starting in April. Roy Devine, from City of Derry Airport, said the new flight was "great news for the city and region" adding: "The sun holiday destinations are extremely popular with air travellers," he said. "We recorded almost 36,000 passengers choosing the two sunshine destinations operated in 2010 by Ryanair and it is important that City of Derry Airport continues to grow this leisure business".

High-Tech BT Jobs Boost

A multi-million pound investment by BT could create up to 60 new jobs as the telecoms giant plans to upgrade its broadband technologies in NI over the next year. The company said the investment would "cement NI's position at the forefront of the fibre broadband revolution in Europe by March 2012." Stormont Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster welcomed the news: "This is a very significant investment that once again positions Northern Ireland as a broadband leader and one of the best connected areas in Europe," she said. "Telecoms is undoubtedly one of Northern Ireland's crown jewels and it is a key element of the Executive's plans to build a modern, efficient infrastructure."

Tesco Derry Refused

The NI Planning Service has recommended that a proposal to build a Tesco superstore in Londonderry be refused. The retailer had submitted an application for the supermarket on the Buncrana Road. The plans by Tesco also included another retail unit and a home shopping delivery depot. In a letter to MLAs, the Stormont Environment Minister Edwin Poots said he concurred with the Planning Service recommendation and said that a formal notice of opinion to refuse will be issued at a later date along with the planners' reasons for refusal.

(BMcC/GK)