Other NI News In Brief

Body Found In Seaside Town Named

The body found in Co Londonderry has now been identified as Christopher Connor, 21, from Coleraine. The body was discovered by police on Monday at the disused Montague Arms Hotel where part of Church Street was sealed off with forensic experts continuing their examination today. The Alliance Coleraince Councillor Barney Fitzpatrick has offered his condolences following the the death: "I would like to offer my sympathies to the family of this man," he said. "This is a tragic event that has shocked the community. It is made even worse given that this has happened in the week before Christmas."

Double Standards?

A Sinn Fein MLA who is also the party's Policing Spokesperson has said a House of Commons report into the riots in England this summer and the assertion that "it would have been inappropriate as well as dangerous, to have employed water cannon and baton rounds" highlights the stark hypocrisy of using such methods in Ireland. North Belfast MLA Gerry Kelly "The report's recommendations, along with that of senior police officers, clearly state that these are dangerous weapons and that their use could only inflame a riot situation. However we have the continued and unacceptable use of plastic bullets by the PSNI," he fumed.

Water Mess

A Co Down business was fined £750 plus £22 court costs at Newry Magistrates' Court yesterday. Re-Gen Waste Ltd, of Shepherds Drive, Carnbane Industrial Estate, Newry, was fined for making a polluting discharge to a waterway. On 3 February 2010, a Water Quality Inspector, acting on behalf of the Northern Ireland Environment Agency observed a visibly contaminated discharge to the Newry River at Carnbane Industrial Estate, Newry. The discharge, which contained very high levels of, suspended solids affected over half a mile of waterway. The source of the polluting discharge was traced to the premises of Re-Gen Waste Ltd. A sample taken at the time of the incident confirmed that the discharge contained poisonous, noxious or polluting matter, which would have been potentially harmful to fish life in the receiving waterway.

'Copyright' Issues In Focus

The NI Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster has launched an Intellectual Property Starter Pack aimed at helping local companies understand the intellectual property they own. Developed by Invest Northern Ireland as part of its wider Boosting Business initiative, it includes guides to the main types of intellectual property including patents, trademarks, copyright and design registration. Non Disclosure Agreements and licensing are also explained. "Intellectual property can be an extremely valuable asset for companies. However, protecting and successfully commercialising intellectual assets can be a major challenge to manage and finance. The Intellectual Property Starter Pack, which includes both paper and web-based information, provides detailed guidance on how to effectively protect and exploit intellectual property," she said. "This user-friendly pack offering enhanced support under our Boosting Business initiative is available to all Northern Ireland companies regardless of size."

(BMcC)