Other News In Brief

62-Year-Old Man Extradited To Poland To Face Embezzlement Charges

A 62-year-old man has been extradited from Northern Ireland to Poland to stand trial for embezzlement charges.

The man was arrested in June 2020 by the PSNI's International Policing Unit in partnership with Polish law enforcement.

Extradition proceedings concluded on Tuesday, 16 April, and the man has now been returned to Poland.

Separately, officers from the International Policing Unit arrested a 30 year-old man this morning (Wednesday 17th April), in Belfast, on an international warrant issued by Spanish authorities in relation to drugs offences.

He will appear before Belfast Extradition Court later today.

Detective Inspector Lennon, from the Police Service's International Policing Unit, said: "These two separate results demonstrate the Police Service of Northern Ireland's continued and effective working with our international partners to track down wanted persons and to bring offenders to justice."

Economy Minister Welcomes Union Acceptance Of Pay Offer

Economy Minister, Conor Murphy, has welcomed a decision by UCU and NASUWT members to accept an increased pay offer for further education lecturers.

Minister Murphy said: "I am pleased that my Department has been able to facilitate this pay award, which has been accepted by unions. Further education lecturers are vital in providing many of the skills that grow our economy. I hope we can now work together to build a thriving further education sector as this will be key to delivering my economic vision."

The Department for the Economy worked within its available budget to provide further education colleges with a revised funding envelope, enabling them to make an improved offer for staff. The pay offer includes an increase in starting salary for lecturers from £24,496 to £30,000, and an 8.4% pay increase plus £1,000 to be added to all other lecturers' pay points for 2023/24.

SDLP Raise A5 Road Project During Assembly Questions

The SDLP have called on Infrastructure Minister, John O'Dowd, to urgently progress the A5 road project.

West Tyrone MLA Daniel McCrossan raised the issue during Assembly questions to the Minister at Stormont on Tuesday, 16 April.

Mr McCrossan asked the Minister to outline when he would publish the findings of the Planning Appeals Commission report following a public inquiry into the redevelopment.

West Tyrone MLA Mr McCrossan said: "The findings of the Planning Appeals Commission into the A5 redevelopment have been with the department for six months now and the Minister has been in a post for a number of months, still we are no clearer on when this will be published and we can get on with building this road. The Minister told me today that it could be months more before the findings are published and that will cause concern among everyone who wants to see work begin before the end of this year.

"Fifty people have lost their lives on this road since 2007, just last week Oonagh Burns was tragically killed at just 35-years-old. My thoughts are with her family and friends as they come to terms with their loss. This week we have already seen three incidents on the A5, it is clear that until we deliver this long-awaited road project people will continue to suffer injuries and death, leaving devastated families in their wake and that’s the message I gave to the Minister today.

"There can be no further delay and we don’t have any time to lose, this is about keeping everyone who travels on the A5 road safe. I would urge the Minister to do everything within his power to publish the PAC findings at the first opportunity and outline a firm timeline for delivering the A5. The SDLP Opposition will continue to demand progress on this vital infrastructure project which will make a huge difference to life in this area."