Other NI News In Brief

Stewart Gets 18 Years

Killer Hazel Stewart has been sentenced to a minimum of 18 years in jail for the murders of her first husband and former lover's wife. Mrs Stewart, 49, was convicted earlier this month of the murders of Lesley Howell and Trevor Buchanan. She was sentenced to life in prison and the length of her term was given at Belfast Crown Court on Wednesday. This came after her former lover, dentist Colin Howell pleaded guilty to the double murder last year and gave evidence against her while still serving a life sentence. He told how Stewart knew about and even assisted in the murders that led to the bodies of Mr Buchanan and Mrs Howell being discovered in a fume-filled car in Castlerock in May 1991. At the time it was thought to have been a double suicide with the truth only emerging when Howell confessed to their murder in January 2009. Stewart even disposed of evidence including the hose pipe used to gas their spouses. The judge, Mr Justice Hart, said on Wednesday that by its verdict the jury had accepted that Stewart and Howell "were in it together". See: Killer Dentist 'Used Gas To Sedate Lovers'

West Belfast Stab Shock

Four people - including a police officer - were stabbed in west Belfast overnight. Police said that at around 10pm on Tuesday it was reported that a man was taken to hospital after being seen at Waterford Street, off the Falls Road, with a stab wound to his neck. Another man suffered serious stab wounds and was taken to hospital. A woman was stabbed in the neck and a male police officer was stabbed in the left arm. One man has been arrested after the incident, with no further details yet available.

Cork Crash Report Expected

A preliminary report into a plane crash in Cork last month will be published today. The accident killed six people and injured six others. Investigators are expected to reveal why the flight from Belfast crashed when attempting to land in thick fog. It is believed a wing of the plane clipped the runway as it touched down.

Paddy's Day Safety Call

In the run up to St Patrick's Day tomorrow, NI Health Minister Michael McGimpsey has encouraged everyone in Northern Ireland to enjoy the day sensibly and safely. "St Patrick's Day is an important day for many people across Northern Ireland, and it is a great opportunity to socialise with family, friends, and the local community. However, drinking excessively can do you damage, and it can also make people behave in ways they normally wouldn't, and all too often to put themselves in situations where they are at greater risk. Therefore, if you are going on a 'night out' please drink sensibly, never leave your drink unattended, make sure you have pre-arranged safe transport home, and most importantly, stay with your friends - look after each other - and make sure no-one is putting themselves at risk," the Ulster Unionist Minister warned.

Fort George Clean-up Funded

The Stormont Social Development Minister Alex Attwood has announced that £3.2m has been secured from the Ministry of Defence toward the decontamination costs for the former Army base at Fort George Londonderry. "This is good news for the regeneration of Derry. The funding now paves the way for the Fort George site to be redeveloped into a knowledge-based centre for sciences and research activities, along with office accommodation and leisure use," he said. "Ilex, the urban regeneration company, will commence work shortly to appoint a contractor to undertake the necessary works. I have also ensured that social clauses are included in the contract to offer opportunities for the unemployed and help get people working," said the SDLP Minister.

Fines Imposed

A Newtownabbey man has been fined £75 for failing to provide information to officers investigating an alleged offence under the Smoking (NI) Order 2006. Leonard Bell of Doagh Road was also ordered to pay £66 costs. The prosecution was brought by Belfast City Council. Meanwhile, four men have been fined in court for drinking alcohol in a public place. Jamie Wilson, from Whitehall Gardens in south Belfast, was fined £50 and ordered to pay costs of £66 after he was detected drinking alcohol at Annadale Embankment on August 20, 2010. Eamon Ferguson, from Kerrera Mews in north Belfast, was fined £50 and ordered to pay costs of £66 after he was detected drinking alcohol at Berry Street on October 14, 2010. Also fined £50 was Graham Thomas Malley, from Agars Road in Lisburn, Co Antrim. Mr Malley was also ordered to pay costs of £66 after he was detected drinking alcohol at Malone Road on October 31, 2010. Darren McDonagh, from Forfar Street in west Belfast, was fined £60 and ordered to pay costs of £66 after he was detected drinking alcohol in his street on September 10, 2010.

(BMcC/KMcA)