Other NI News In Brief

Fatal Crash Near Border

One man, believed to have been in his 40s and from Co Monaghan in the Irish Republic, has died and several other people have been injured in a crash in Co Fermanagh. They were all travelling in a van which was in collision with a lorry on the Moorlough Road near Lisnaskea at about 11am today, Wednesday. The road has since been closed.

Road Code Speaks In Tongues

Northern Ireland's new Highway Code took to the roads this week with a launch on Wednesday. As well as updating motorists with all relevant law changes, it will for the first time be published in languages for the larger minority groups here.

Dublin Teams Moved After Milk Cup Attack

For the first time in its 26 years of existence, two teams from taking part in the Milk Cup International Youth Soccer Tournament have had to be moved after intimidation. Stones were thrown at the buildings in which they were staying and it is believed they were also subjected to sectarian abuse on Monday night. Dublin-based players from Crumlin United and Cherry Orchard were staying in a block of flats in Cromore Court, Coleraine. The incident has been roundly condemned and a 19-year-old man arrested by police for questioning.

Foster Visits Strangford Tidal System

The NI Energy Minister Arlene Foster has visited the tidal energy system at Strangford Lough, which ran into trouble 48 hours after a trail run last week. The Minister was there to see for herself the progress being made at the world's first commercial scale tidal energy system. Ms Foster was taken by boat to view the Seagen installation at first hand. The mechanism is located 400 metres offshore, where the strong tidal flows of Strangford Lough occur. The 1.2MW twin-rotor system, which was developed by Bristol firm, Marine Current Turbines (MCT), was installed in the Lough in April. It has since commenced the generation of small amounts of electricity for the national grid and is expected to generate sufficient clean, renewable electricity for some 1,000 homes in Northern Ireland, upon completion of its commissioning later this year. However, the system hit a technical "hiccup" last week after a software problem resulted in two blades sustaining damage.

See: Strangford Tidal Turbine Stalls

UDA Guns Discussed

The NIO Security Minister Paul Goggins and the PSNI Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde met members of the illegal paramilitary organisation the UDA this week to seek a ruling from its so-called "inner council" to giving up its weapons. The NIO has confirmed Mr Goggins had private talks with the political representatives of the UDA and what it called "other leading loyalists". The UDA leadership now says the issue is being discussed, but insist the vast majority of its members and supporters are opposed to such a move.

(PR/JM)