20/02/2009

Other NI News In Brief

Invest NI Meets Agri-Journalists

Maynard Mawhinney, Director of Food at Invest Northern Ireland, explains how his organisation is helping promote growth in the farming sector to Sabrina Sweeney, BBC, and Maria McLaughlin, Livestock and Meat Commission, both members of the Guild of Agricultural Journalists. Speaking during a special Guild lunch event at Invest NI headquarters in Belfast, Mr Mawhinney briefed journalists from a range of publications on how assistance with innovation, marketing and trade was helping to underpin the NI food industry. Picture: Cliff Donaldson.

Delegates Head To SF Árd Fhéis

Sinn Féin delegates are due to gather in Dublin today for the start of the party's annual Árd Fhéis. Motions due to be debated at the two-day event include one calling for the setting up of an independent truth commission to deal with the events of the Troubles. Party President Gerry Adams will deliver his televised keynote address tomorrow evening.

Rankin Debt Revealed

Celebrity Belfast chef, Paul Rankin, owes around £1.5 million to his creditors, it has been confirmed. The famous TV chef is in discussions with those owed money, including the Inland Revenue, which is owed about £1 million, in an attempt to keep his sole remaining restaurant, Cayenne, operating. Mr Rankin, who was Northern Ireland's first Michellin-starred chef and frequently appears on national TV programmes as well as fronting Irwin's speciality bread range, is in advanced discussions with his creditors to reach a voluntary agreement to repay about half of what they are owed. Two weeks ago, one of Mr Rankin's creditors, Arnott's Fruit Ltd, petitioned the High Court for Mr Rankin's bankruptcy and the case is listed to be heard next Wednesday, although it can be withdrawn right up until the case is heard.

Shore Road 'Bomb' Hoax

A suspicious object found at a building in Greencastle, north Belfast, has been declared an elaborate hoax by police. The Shore Road was closed on Thursday during the security operation but has since reopened to traffic.

Ranger Sails Back

A vessel built in Harland and Wolff in 1923 by the same craftsmen who built Titanic has returned to its home port. It is now planned that after being renovated, the Ranger will be used as a maritime heritage tour boat on the River Lagan. Up to a dozen passengers at a time will be able to sail around the birthplace of the Titanic. The eight-and-a-half tonne teak-built tender served with the Belfast built P&O passenger ship SS Mooltan which Ranger accompanied on her maiden voyage via Suez to Colombo, Melbourne and Sydney in December 1923.

Quarry Owner Fined For Pollution

A Co Londonderry quarry owner has been fined for pollution offences. Patrick Heaney of Banagher Road, Dungiven, pleaded guilty to the offence at Limavady Magistrates' Court, and fined £300 plus £97 court costs plus analysis costs of £115.30. The court heard that on 31 January 2008, an officer from the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (formerly the Environment and Heritage Service) found a large volume of polluted runoff entering a stream flowing through Banagher Nature Reserve, near Dungiven. The source of the polluted runoff was traced to a nearby sand and gravel pit operated by Mr Heaney.

Minister Lauds Multi-Million Pound Newry Health Builds

NI Health Minister Michael McGimpsey has visited the site of a new £3.7m Social Education Centre and a new £2.3m Children’s Home in Newry. The two separate new units - located on the same site - are scheduled to be completed in July 2010.

The facilities will provide day care services for adults with a learning disability and specialist health and social care for children and young people with learning disabilities who also have had challenging behaviour. Minister McGimpsey said: "This new Social Education Centre will provide a much needed facility to replace outdated accommodation in the Newry area. Dedicated staff have for too long endeavoured to provide a professional and caring service from unsuitable accommodation.

"The centre will enable the latest in treatment and care to be provided for adults with learning disabilities in the Newry area."

(BMcC/JM)

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26 March 2013
Paul Rankin's Cayenne Closes
Paul Rankin's Cayenne restaurant in Shaftesbury Square, Belfast, has closed its doors amid flag protests and a bleak economy. The famous restaurant was once among the UK's finest restaurants, but the TV chef was forced to close the doors to diners one final time on Sunday.
05 October 2011
Guilty Granny Killer 'Pleads Innocence'
A pharmacist-turned drunken killer had continued to deny the brutal murder of an elderly grandmother in her own home on Christmas Day 2008. As she was led away to the cells yesterday afternoon, Karen Walsh, 45, continued to plead her innocence on the murder of neighbour Maire Rankin, 81, in her Newry home. Mrs Rankin was found dead in her bedroom.
25 October 2011
Ian Rankin In Belfast For Words and Music
No Alibis Bookstore and alternative music specialists Strange Victory are presenting an impressive evening of spoken word and music with The Willard Grant Conspiracy and author Ian Rankin this November.
27 March 2009
Agreement Halts Rankin Bankruptcy Case
Bankruptcy proceedings against celebrity chef Paul Rankin have been dramatically dismissed. Yesterday at the High Court a petition brought against the Michelin-star winning restaurateur and his business partner wife Jeanne was dropped after agreement was reached with creditors.
22 June 2004
HSENI says it's time to Play Safe and Stay Safe
As part of Child Safety Week, the HSENI has issued a safety warning to all parents, building contractors and farmers to stop children using dangerous workplaces such as building sites and farmyards as adventure playgrounds over the summer holidays.