Other News In Brief

Farmer Fined For Pollution Offence

A Co Tyrone farmer has been fined for a pollution offence at Omagh Magistrates' Court.

Mervyn David from Dromore was fined £350 plus an offenders levy of £15.

On 5 March 2015, Water Quality Inspectors, acting on behalf of the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA), inspected a waterway at Owenreagh Road, Dromore and observed it to be grossly polluted with a substantial growth of sewage fungus.

The polluting discharge was traced to farm premises owned by Mr Davis. The length of waterway impacted by the discharge was approximately 700 metres.

A sample taken at the time of the incident confirmed that the discharge contained poisonous, noxious or polluting matter which was potentially harmful to fish life in the receiving waterway.

Improved Rights For Victims Of Crime Welcomed

The improved rights for victims of crime have been welcomed by Justice Minister David Ford.

Northern Ireland has introduced the EU Directive establishing minimum standards on the rights, support and protection they should receive.

The EU Directive's purpose is to ensure that all victims of crime receive appropriate protection and support, are able to participate in criminal proceedings and are recognised and treated in a respectful, sensitive and professional manner, without discrimination, in their contact with criminal justice organisations, and victim support and restorative justice services.

Minister Ford said: "I welcome the transposition of the EU Directive today. As Justice Minister I want to ensure that victims of crime receive the necessary information and support to enable them to participate effectively in the criminal justice process.

"The Directive places a greater focus on dealing effectively with the needs of victims and the importance of providing a service tailored to their individual needs."

Call For Manufacturing Crisis To Be Addressed

Ulster Unionist MEP Jim Nicholson has met with Michelin's EU Relations Director in Brussels to discuss the devastating impact of the company's decision to close its Ballymena plant. The issue of high energy costs in Northern Ireland was raised in the discussions.

Mr Nicholson said: "I made it clear to Michelin's Brussels representative today that the decision to close their Ballymena plant will have dreadful consequences for the North Antrim area and Northern Ireland as a whole. Not only will 860 families have to come to terms with these job losses, the impact will reverberate and indirectly cost even more jobs locally.

"One issue identified by Michelin was one we have heard raised time and time again – high energy costs in Northern Ireland. How much more pain does our manufacturing sector have to take before the Northern Ireland Executive begins to take this issue seriously?

"Coupled with recent announcements of job losses from Invista, Sensata Technologies and Caterpillar this week, it is becoming increasingly clear that, Northern Ireland is facing a serious manufacturing crisis.

"With local industry taking hit after hit, now is the time for actions not words from the Northern Ireland Executive and the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment."

(CD/JP)