Other NI News In Brief

NIE Rebranded

NIE Energy has officially changed its name to Power NI. The 'shock' rebranding, which came into effect on Monday, follows the buyout of the NI electricity grid by the Irish Republic's main power supplier ESB. Letters are to be sent to the more than 750,000 customers of Power NI to inform them of the changes.

Crash man Critical

The police have reported that a teenager has been arrested and bailed on suspicion of dangerous driving after a man was left in a critical condition in hospital following a road traffic accident in Rathfriland, Co Down. The crash, involving three vehicles, happened on the Banbridge Road on Tuesday evening. The injured man was transferred from Daisy Hill Hospital in Newry to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast overnight. Another man suffered serious injuries in the crash.

Walker Felled

Mourne Mountain Rescue, along with the coastguard and police, have been involved in an intensive search to find an injured man on the Mournes today. He was located within a few hours of the alarm being raised with head injuries and broken bones. First aid was administered at the scene and he was then taken by helicopter to the Royal Victoria Hospital.

Corporation Tax 'Re-addressed'

HM Revenue & Customs, (HMRC) has advised taxpayers in the organisation's North Scotland area office (Aberdeen), including those previously in Cumbria, Northumbria, Wear & South Tyne, Inverness, Aberdeen, Ayr, greater Belfast, Craigavon in Co Armagh - and the NI counties - as well as Kendal, Newcastle, Sunderland and that an office reorganisation is taking place. The Corporation Tax records of companies and organisations currently dealt with by Aberdeen staff (that is those with reference numbers prefixed by 795) will transfer to: HM Revenue & Customs Local Compliance, Corporation Tax Operations, Caledonian House, Greenmarket, Dundee DD1 4QX, telephone: 01382 424225. This change is to facilitate internal administrative purposes only and does not change any ongoing correspondence or enquiries that taxpayers may already have.

Nomadic Returns

Over £3m has been awarded to support the restoration of Titanic tender vessel the Nomadic. The Heritage Lottery Fund has said that the project will allow people to experience what life was like in the Harland and Wolff docks in 1911 with the SS Nomadic returned to its original condition and housing an education space. Chairman of the Lottery Fund Committee in Northern Ireland Ronnie Spence said: "The project will enable people to see, hear and experience what life was like in the famous Harland and Wolff docks during 1911, and with the world's last remaining link to Titanic and sole-surviving White Star Line vessel taking centre stage, the SS Nomadic will provide a unique and authentic offering." A total of £3.25m from the lottery fund will be directed towards the overhaul and the Stormont Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland said he has also provisionally earmarked a contribution of up to £1m from his Department.

Builders Bust

Co Down-based building firm John Turley & Co Ltd has gone into liquidation. The construction firm went into voluntary receivership in July with over £1m owed to creditors. Founded in 1973, John Turley & Co was a family run business, catering for a broad client base, encompassing a wide range of sectors including industrial, commercial/domestic civil engineering plus private residential and public sector works. Related company, Turley Properties, is still solvent.

Frauds Fined

Five people were convicted at Belfast Magistrates Court this week for claiming benefits they were not entitled to. Matthew Kinkaid (27) of Agnes Street, Belfast was given 75 hours community service and ordered to pay court costs of £22 for wrongful encashment of Job Seekers Allowance totalling £184. Norman Pritchard (21) of Boundary Way, Belfast was given 75 hours community service and ordered to pay court costs of £22 for wrongful encashment of Job Seekers Allowance totalling £109. Patricia McFall (34) of Cranbrook Court, Belfast was given 80 hours community service and ordered to pay court costs of £34 for failing to declare employment while claiming Income Support totalling £9,168. Brian Wells (26) of Veryan Gardens, Newtownabbey was given 100 hours community service for failing to declare employment while claiming Job Seekers Allowance totalling £2,106. Margaret Browne (33) of Woodside View, Belfast was given a 12 month conditional discharge and ordered to pay court costs of £31 for failing to declare employment while claiming Income Support totalling £2,594. All are also required to repay any outstanding money wrongfully obtained to the Social Security Agency.

(BMcC/KMcA)