Other NI News In Brief

Co Down Bomb Alert

The police were last night still investigating claims that a bomb has been left in Castlewellan, in Co Down. They have advised local people to avoid the Burrenreagh Road and Dublin Road, and also appealed for anyone who noticed suspicious activity to contact them. The alert began after police received a telephoned warning on Tuesday. Detectives said anyone who sees a suspicious object or vehicle, in particular a dark-coloured Volkswagen, should contact them immediately.

Student's Tragic Death On Railway Revisited

The tragic death of an NI student, David Thompson from Kilfennan - who was studying natural sciences at Cambridge - has been recalled this week. The young man was struck by a train at the station in Brandon in Suffolk and an inquest has just begun into the death of the 21-year-old from Co Londonderry who was killed when he was hit by a passenger train in England last Thursday. The inquest opened in Norwich on Monday, and was adjourned.

Assembly Finance Bill Complete

The Financial Assistance Bill through the Assembly yesterday with both the First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness welcoming the milestone. Mr Robinson said: "This is a significant piece of legislation that will enable the Executive to provide the security and peace of mind that the people of Northern Ireland deserve. There has been considered and determined debate on this issue over recent weeks and as a result I am sure we have delivered a bill that is robust and that meets the needs we have identified. Also commenting, Mr McGuinness said: "We have taken another step towards providing vital assistance to those in our community in most need. To portray its passage as anything other than this is merely a futile attempt to score political points in relation to an issue which is above such petty considerations." The Bill will now be referred for Royal Assent. It is hoped that this will be achieved by the end of next week.