Other NI News In Brief

'Spooks' Did Pass Omagh Infomation To RUC

An official report into the tragic Omagh bomb has rejected claims that vital intelligence was deliberately held back. The Intelligence Services Commissioner, Sir Peter Gibson, insists that information on the bombers was in fact shared with police, and could not have stopped the 1998 attack. In his report, Sir Peter said details from telephone intercepts were passed on "promptly and fully" and in accordance with proper procedures, despite a BBC Panorama programme claiming that intelligence officers based at GCHQ had failed to pass information to RUC detectives hunting the killers.

Omagh Relatives Call For Ahern Resignation

The relatives of Omagh bomb victims have called on the current Irish Justice Minister to resign - after it was revealed he had made representations on behalf of the leader of the Real IRA. Dermot Ahern admitted passing on emails on behalf of Michael McKevitt, one of five men suspected of involvement in the 1998 blast and later met victims' families in Dundalk to express 'regret' but has so far declined to apologise for his actions five years ago. Instead he has tried to play down substantial embarrassment over his letters on behalf of the convicted terrorist by claiming he was only passing on an email on behalf of a constituent.

Offenders' Children In Focus

Representatives of the Northern Ireland Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders (NIACRO) have been briefing senior Stormont Ministers on the impact on children of having a family member in custody. Junior Ministers Gerry Kelly and Jeffrey Donaldson have met with NIACRO and later commented on the situation. Minister Kelly said: "Research shows that the impact of imprisonment for children in terms of separation from a parent or parents has worse outcomes for that child than separation for any other reasons including death or divorce." Also commenting, Minister Donaldson said: "If we are to help these children achieve their full potential, it is essential that departments, agencies and the voluntary sector work together to support their families."

Rise And Shine With Kellogs' Contract

A packaging company in west Belfast has won a contract worth £3m a year from cereal company Kelloggs. Delta Print Chief Executive Terry Cross said the business was performing well, despite the economic downturn. He added that the company planned to develop bio-degradable packaging for customers like McDonalds: "It's an opportunity to increase our business quite significantly. It's driven by environmental concerns," he said.

(BMcC/JM)