Other NI News In Brief

Road Crash Tragedy

The PSNI has released the name of the motorcyclist who died in a crash in Co Down on Sunday. He was John O'Neill, 45, from the Poleglass area died as a result of an accident on the Magheraknock Road in Ballynahinch. His bike was involved in a collision with a car shortly before 2.30pm with the road closed for a time afterwards. The NI Health Minister Edwin Poots has sympathised with the O'Neill family circle after the tragedy on Sunday. The DUP politician said: "I send my sincere condolences to the family at this time of grief and loss. I didn't know Mr. O'Neill but I live a short distance from the scene and as I travelled on Sunday, I came upon the accident. The family are foremost in my prayers at this difficult time," he said.

Boxing Clever

An Olympic team intends to use Northern Ireland as its training base for the 2012 Games. News was released last week that the Australian Olympic boxing team had become the first to sign a letter of intent to set up its London 2012 training camp in Northern Ireland.

Ballymoney Alert

There's a security alert in Ballymoney this morning that follows the discovery of a suspicious package in the town. The object was found on Ozone Avenue in the town with Army technical officers currently at the scene. A number of residents have been evacuated from their homes and Ozone Avenue and Meeting House Street have been closed.

Two Held Over Murder

It has emerged that a 46-year-old man and a 20-year-old woman have been arrested at a house in Waringstown in connection with a Craigavon murder and are being questioned over possession of a firearm. The victims, Hugh and Jacqueline McGeough were found shot dead in their home back in March.

Yacht Drama

A member of a holiday yacht's crew had to be rescued from the vessel as it was sailing off the coast of Larne on Saturday night after one of the crew became ill about 8.30pm. The vessel also had to be towed to shore because of engine difficulties and the man had then to be treated for severe dehydration in hospital.

Man Shaken By Burglars

Detectives in west Belfast are appealing for information after a report of a burglary at residential premises in the Ross Road area on Friday, 19th August. They said that, shortly before 11.05pm, it was reported that a group of unknown masked men entered a house in the area and made off with a sum of money. It is believed that two men were in the house at the time of the incident, but although uninjured, was left badly shaken. Detectives are keen to speak to the driver or anyone who saw a black Saab 93 in the area at the time of the incident.

(BMcC/GK)