Other News In Brief

Teenager Assaulted In Belfast City Centre

A teenager has been assaulted in Belfast city centre.

The incident happened on Great Victoria Street shortly before 6pm on Monday (15 December).

The 17-year-old male is said to have been walking along the street, close to the junction with Ventry Street, when a car with a number of men inside pulled up alongside him.

The men got out of the car and assaulted the victim. He was knocked to the ground.

Police have said a hammer of some description may have been used to strike the teen on the back.

The attackers then got back into the car and the teenager raised the alarm.

He was taken to hospital, but his injuries are not thought to be serious.

Detectives have said they are investigating a motive for the attack.

Anyone with information, or who witnessed the assault, is asked to contact police on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Road Improvements To Start In Armagh And Portadown

Around £525,000 is to be invested in a series of road improvements in the Armagh and Portadown area.

Resurfacing will take place on the B114 Shanecracken and Tannyoky Roads, Poyntzpass, and at B131 Teagy Road in Portadown.

Preparatory works are currently underway at the Shanecracken and Tannyoky Roads. Final resurfacing is scheduled between Monday 5 and Sunday 25 January.

Resurfacing work at the Teagy Road is expected to take place between Wednesday 7 and Wednesday 28 January.

Transport Minister Danny Kennedy said: "This latest investment will see a total of almost 8km of road improvements. The improvements will greatly enhance the surfaces and overall strength of the roads. Drivers will quickly realise the benefits of the work."

Industrial Action For NI Water Staff

More than 1,000 workers at NI Water are to take part in industrial action.

Over 90% of voters supported a ballot organised by the unions NIPSA, UNITE and the GMB.

The action will commence on 22 December and is in response to a pensions dispute.

Members of the three unions have voted for a 'work-to-rule', the withdrawal of overtime and refusal to provide 'on-call' services.

The unions have said the action is "likely to lead to significant disruption as repairs, including bursts, are delayed."

Ryan McKinney, NIPSA Assistant Secretary, said: "The proposals which NI Water want us to agree will mean that all employees pay more and most employees will work longer for less than under the current scheme.

"This is in the context where over the past few years NI Water staff accepted below inflation pay settlements and more than 900 workers left under cost cutting and restructuring exercises. However the pension scheme remains healthy, it is affordable, and staff are rightly angry that they are expected to pay more to get less."

The unions added that they are to meet with Minister for Regional Development, Danny Kennedy, on Wednesday (17 December) in an attempt to avoid industrial action.

In a statement NI Water said the "provision of safe, clean drinking water and wastewater services remains an priority."

(JP/CD)