Other NI News In Brief

Bamoral Show Tour

School children get excited about the Tesco Schools' Trail at Balmoral Show with Caoimhe Mannion, Tesco Marketing Manager and Jenny McNeill, Schools' Trail organiser. This school trip gives children the opportunity to learn about agriculture and food in a fun-filled day out environment. This interactive guided tour will last approximately 90 minutes taking the children around 13 stops which cover the entire showgrounds and pre-booking is necessary while Tesco will also run a competition offering one lucky school 20,000 Tesco for Schools and Clubs vouchers. Caoimhe Mannion said: "We are delighted to sponsor the Schools' Trail at the Balmoral Show for the first time and to help signpost for schoolchildren, the importance of the local food economy as well as the part that Tesco plays in it - by purchasing over £520m worth of local produce annually. We look forward to welcoming many schools to the Tesco stand at Balmoral Show this year." The Balmoral Show in partnership with Ulster Bank runs from the 11th – 13th May at the King's Hall Complex, Belfast.

Tragic RIR Soldier Returns

The Banbridge-reared Royal Irish Regiment (RIR) soldier killed earlier this month in Afghanistan will be 'reunited in death with his baby daughter'. Lance Corporal Stephen McKee, 27, died when his vehicle struck a roadside bomb in Helmand province with his his body arriving at RAF Lyneham on Thursday, where his family said he would be laid to rest beside his baby daughter, Keeley, who died a year ago. The McKee family were in Wootton Bassett for a repatriation ceremony.

Schools' Cup Shamed

The Head of St Mary's Christian Brothers' School has condemned fighting following its narrow victory over Boys Model in a football final on Thursday. Jim Sheerin contacted the PSNI after a number of spectators and players brawled at the end of the Belfast Schools Cup match at Ballyskeagh. A police spokesperson said its enquiries were continuing, although there were no arrests. Mr Sheerin said the game had been played fairly with good-natured banter between supporters and he was uncertain what had sparked the trouble. The fighting was mainly between adults on a terrace though video footage appears to show at least one pupil crossing from the pitch into the crowd and fighting.

Road Crash Victim Named

The name of the woman who died in a road accident on the main road between Ballymena and Ballymoney has been released. Julia Kerr, 32, originally from Scotland, died in a collision involving a lorry and a car. The incident happened on the Frosses Road in Co Antrim at 9.20am on Thursday.

Re-open Senseless Murder Case

The death of a young mum-of-one, Joanne Mathers, 29, who was shot dead as she collected census forms in the Gobnascale area of Londonderry in April 1981 has been recalled as her widower, Lowry Mathers, from Bready, said he wants the Historical Enquiries Team (HET) to look at her murder. "With the advances in technology they might now get the answers," he said. "I would like the case re-opened and whoever was in charge of the IRA at that time brought to justice," Mr Mathers said, noting that he has never understood how someone could shoot an innocent woman.

Poots Praises Grahams

The NI Environment Minister Edwin Poots has congratulated Graham Construction after it was awarded a presitigious international certificate for sustainable design for its head office. On a visit to the firm's new state-of-the-art headquarters in Hillsborough, Co Down, Mr Poots said: "Thanks to the forward thinking of Graham Construction's designers, the company has received a formal BREEAM certificate confirming its new head office has achieved an 'Excellent' rating. This award reflects the firm's strong commitment to sustainable construction, endorses its environmental credentials and sets it up as a benchmark for firms across Northern Ireland. I would like to congratulate everyone involved," he said, noting that BREEAM is a widely used environmental assessment method for buildings and marks best practice in sustainable design. Grahams employ 190 people at the Hillsborough site and 1,100 in total. They have been involved in many prestigious construction projects and have substantial expertise in design/engineering solutions.

Frauds Found Out

Six people were convicted at Belfast Magistrates' Court this week for claiming benefits they were not entitled to. Michael Ward (22) of Cluain Mor Drive, Belfast was given 75 hours community service and ordered to pay £31 court costs for failure to declare employment while claiming Jobseekers' Allowance totalling £2,114. Martina Keon (43) of Hamill Street, Belfast was given a £250 fine and ordered to pay court costs of £28 for failure to declare employment while claiming Jobseekers' Allowance totalling £2,287. Paul Arthurs (43) of Parkview Court, Belfast was given 150 hours community service and ordered to pay court costs of £68 for failure to declare capital while claiming Income Support totalling £17,397. Michael Hardy (45) of Cliftonville Road, Belfast was given a £300 fine and ordered to pay court costs of £40 for failure to declare employment while claiming Income Support and Housing Benefit totalling £636. Carolyn Taggart (50) of Springfield Road, Belfast was given 70 hours community service and ordered to pay court costs of £31 for failure to declare employment while claiming Income Support totalling £4,660. Alan McFadden (29) of Broadway, Belfast was given 75 hours community service and ordered to pay court costs of £56 for wrongful encashment of Jobseekers Allowance totalling £200. All are also required to repay any outstanding money wrongfully obtained to the Social Security Agency.

(BMcC/KMcA)