Other News In Brief

Police Investigating Ballymena Arson Attack

Police are investigating an arson attack at an unoccupied flat in Devenagh Way in Ballymena during the early hours of this morning, Sunday 22 November.

It's understood the rear kitchen window was smashed and an accelerant poured inside at around 4.15am. The fire caused extensive damage to the kitchen and hallway.

Detectives are appealing for anyone with information regarding this crime to please get in touch by calling 101, quoting reference 259 22/11/20.

Ministers 'Shocked' At Devastation Of Peat Slide

Ministers have expressed their shock at the devastation caused by a peat slide that has polluted the Mourne Beg and Derg Rivers.

Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) Minister Edwin Poots and Minister Charlie McConalogue TD visited Meenbog, Ballybofey, which is within the site of a wind farm that is under construction. The wind farm developer has suspended all works at the site with the exception of those that relate to mitigating the impact of the bog slide and reducing the risk of further slides.

Minister Poots also visited the Corgary Trout Farm which has been seriously impacted by the pollution incident and continues to experience ongoing losses as the water is still heavily contaminated with peaty sediments.

Speaking after the visit, Minister Poots said: "The scale of the damage is shocking, the devastation caused by the peat slide to the local river systems is very serious and there is substantial ongoing damage inflicted on the Corgary Trout Farm. It is clear that this peat slide has had an immediate impact on fish and the ecosystems upon which they rely but until conditions permit, it is not possible to quantify that impact. Our immediate priority is to try to prevent any further slippage or pollution entering the waterways.

"There has been a large-scale, cross-border and multi-agency reaction to this incident and I am encouraged that all agencies involved are moving at pace to limit the risk of further damage, and will then be working together on restorative actions to remediate the affected rivers and the wider ecosystems."

A cross border multi-agency group has been set up to investigate the slippage and address the resulting significant and ongoing pollution that is impacting the Mourne Beg and Derg Rivers.

New High Level Training Programme Announced

A new FinTrU North West Assured Skills Academy offering 20 high quality training places for people with degrees, has been announced by Economy Minister Diane Dodds.

The Assured Skills Academy will offer a four-week intensive online training course to develop core skills for the business services sector. Participants who complete the training are guaranteed an interview for a role at FinTrU's NW Centre of Excellence.

Highlighting the opportunity, the Minister said: "FinTrU is a successful business services provider and a major employer in the north west. This Assured Skills Academy offers people with degrees the opportunity to position themselves strongly for a career in what is an exciting and fast-paced sector.

"I encourage anyone who meets the eligibility criteria, and who is interested, to apply.

"Skills development has a key role to play in the economic recovery. I am keen to bring forward as many initiatives in this sector as possible, to offer training opportunities to people to help boost their career chances.

"Assured Skills Academies have a track record of success in securing employment for those who complete them and my officials are continuing to work hard to bring through more Academies in the near future."