Other NI News In Brief

Trouble Flares At Courtroom

A rural court had more than its normal share of tension yesterday as what police described as a fracas developed at the door of the court. They said that it later escalated into a fight in the hall just outside and that a police officer, who was in court in connection with another case, and civilian security staff struggled to separate the two factions. An ambulance has been called to a Dungannon court after a murder victim's family and relatives of a man accused over the killing clashed. Eamon Hughes was stabbed to death in Dungannon last September and his son Kevin shot in the arm with a crossbow. Trouble broke out on Wednesday after Kevin Murray, who is charged with the attempted murder of Kevin Hughes, appeared for a remand hearing.

Derry Man's Death Probed

Police are investigating how a man died after falling from the window of an apartment block in Londonderry. The incident happened at Rock Mills on the Strand Road at about 10pm on Tuesday. A spokesperson from the PSNI confirmed that they are probing the sudden death of a man in the Rock Mills area of the city.

'Tiger Kidnappers' Warned

A judge has issued criminals with a clear warning about the level of tiger kidnappings in Northern Ireland. He said this week that anyone convicted of involvement is going to jail for "a very long time". Mr Justice McLaughlin stressed the gravity of the offence as a man accused of a plot against an elderly Co Antrim businessman and his wife faced charges of aggravated burglary and attempted robbery after being arrested with two others near the couple's home in Ballymena last October. The High Court heard Ryan O'Reilly, 25, of Drumalane Park, Newry, faces charges of aggravated burglary and attempted robbery after being arrested with two others near the couple's home in Ballymena last October. O'Reilly was detained at the rear of the Old Antrim Road property during a police operation.

Bogside Car Bombed

A pipe bomb exploded inside a car in the Bogside area of Londonderry yesterday. The device was thrown through the window of the car while it was parked in Gartan Square off Westland Street in the early hours of Wednesday morning. The car was damaged, but there were no reports of any injuries.

(BMcC/JM)