Other NI News In Brief

Shop Raids Targeted

Following a spate of robberies in convenience shops across Newtownabbey, Alliance Councillor Tom Campbell (pictured) has organised a meeting between the police, the District Policing Partnership and representatives of the Mallusk-based Henderson Group. Alliance Leader David Ford MLA also attended. "I am grateful for assurances that the Police Service are treating the recent crime wave as a priority and actively following up each case. I know that it often seems to the victims that police activity falls off after a few days, but we were assured that the investigations remain active at this time. We would urge anyone who has any information that might help catch the robbers to contact Newtownabbey Police and help to put these criminals behind bars," said Mr Campbell.

Simpsons Visit Giant's Causeway

Iconic American cartoon characters The Simpsons have made an impromptu visit to Northern Ireland in a special St Patrick's Day episode getting its first showing in Ireland. The fictional family travelled to the Emerald Isle in an episode entitled 'In The Name of the Grandfather'. During their time on the island, the family stop off in Ulster and toured a cartoon depiction of the historic Giant's Causeway site. The episode sees Homer and Grandpa Simpson fulfill their life long dream of running an Irish pub. Programme makers are breaking with tradition and screening the espisode in Ireland, prior to it being aired in the US. The Simpsons' executive producers along with Nancy Cartwright, who voices Bart, will be visiting Ireland to promote the show over the St Paddy's Day holiday.

Badger Baiters In Focus

More raids are to be carried out by the Ulster Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals following reports of badger baiting are just the beginning. The cruel practice involves badgers being placed in a baiting pit and set upon by a succession of dogs. The USPCA warned that their raids were "just the start of the process" and that more are imminent – right across the Province. Around 20 dogs and other equipment thought to have been used by baiters have now been seized during raids in counties Armagh and Antrim. Six dogs – including three pit bull terrier types – were seized during raids by police and animal welfare workers in Co Armagh on Saturday. On Monday, there were more raids, although no arrests have been made.

Botanic Shop Raided

An armed robber has stolen what police have said was a substantial amount of money from a grocery store in south Belfast. At 10.30 pm on Tuesday the man, who was armed with what appeared to be a handgun, entered the shop at Botanic Avenue. He threatened a member of staff before escaping with the cash and the PSNI are now appealing for anyone who witnessed the robbery or has any information about it to contact them.

'Cemetery' Dig Continues

The second day of a substantial police operation in the Bog Meadows wildlife sanctuary adjacent to Milltown Cemetery has begun. The move follows a search several weeks ago using dogs trained to locate buried human remains. Forensic teams began examining ground close to Bog Meadows on Monday. So far, no digging or excavation work has taken place and nothing has been removed. The land was once owned by the nearby Milltown Cemetery. It was bought by the Ulster Wildlife Trust some years ago. Families believe hundreds of dead babies may have been inadvertently transferred out of the cemetery when the land was sold. The search is focused on a small area of a field adjoining the cemetery where it is now thought that other bodies may have been buried.

See: Bog Meadows Search Underway For Boys' Remains

Assembly Goes 'On The Road'

The Northern Ireland Assembly is going out and about NI. From 18th March until 6th April a 'roadshow' will be visiting nine locations to discuss issues that matter to local people. It is being organised by the Speaker of the Assembly, William Hay and is featuring an MLA discussion panel hosted by award-winning political journalist Eamonn Mallie. It aims to give local people a chance to get closer to the Assembly and the work that it does.

(BMcC)