Other News In Brief

Scenic Fundraiser

The picturesque gardens at Lisgoole Abbey, Enniskillen, (pictured) will be open to the public next month for a very worthy cause. On Saturday 4th July from 11am - 4pm and on Sunday 5th July from 2pm - 5pm visitors can enjoy a day out and raise funds for the Ulster Cancer Foundation (UCF) at the same time. Admission for adults costs £5 and children enter for free.

Swine Flu Man Admitted

A patient has been admitted to a Belfast hospital with swine flu for the first time. He was taken to the Ulster Hospital with chest symptoms and is the first person with the virus in Northern Ireland who has had to be hospitalised. People who have been in close contact with him are being given anti-viral drugs. He had recently come home after travelling in England and Scotland. Four other new cases have also been confirmed, bringing to 24 the total number of cases in Northern Ireland.

Pipe Bombs Uncovered

Two makeshift bombs have been found during a planned police search of the Ulsterville Drive area in south Belfast. A police spokesman said a quantity of ammunition was also recovered with the pipe bombs during the operation on Wednesday night, however, police said the find was not in connection with recent racist attacks on Romanians who lived in the area.

Chemist Jailed Over Medicines

A sentence of six months jail was handed down to Dr Philip Quinn, 57, at Belfast Crown Court on Wednesday after he pleaded guilty to charges relating to the placing on the market and supply of unauthorised veterinary medicines. He also pleaded guilty to the supply of a counterfeit veterinary product. The sentence was suspended for two years. The case reflects a recent clampdown on illegal and counterfeit veterinary medicines by the Medicines Enforcement Officers from the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety.

All Ireland Economy In Focus

Sinn Féin Ministers in the Executive were in Dublin on Wednesday to meet with the party’s Oireachtas members to discuss the all-Ireland economic agenda. The Stormont Deputy Chief Executive Martin McGuinness and Dáil Leader Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin stated that measures to tackle the recession need to be undertaken bi-laterally by the administrations North and South and that economic recovery will require an all-Ireland approach. Martin McGuinness said afterwards that "partition creates impediments to economic development at a substantial cost to the economy" and insisted that viable businesses are floundering on both sides of the border in the face of constant fluctuations in the areas of VAT, corporation tax, excise duty and currency due to the border's existence.

Certificates Presented In Schools

The Northern Ireland Education Minister Caitríona Ruane has presented certificates to young people who have participated in a drug and alcohol education programme. She handed them to 60 young people at Belmont House Special School, Derry with certificates for completing the programme run by HURT (Have your Tomorrows). The programme aims to raise education and awareness of the impact drugs and alcohol can have on the lives of young people. During her visit to the North West, the Minister also hosted the Primary Principals' conference in the Everglades Hotel, the last conference of five held to address issues and concerns in relation to Transfer 2010.

'Village' Boosts Economy

The newly-built Social Economy Village in west Belfast can help to stimulate economic growth in the local area. That was the message from NI Enterprise Minister, Arlene Foster, as she welcomed the official opening of the new 13,200 square foot development in west Belfast, today. The Social Economy Village was developed by Work West at a total cost of £1,385,876. The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETI) provided support to the project with EU Peace and Reconciliation (Peace II) assistance of £496,959. Significant funding of £493,959 was also secured from the International Fund for Ireland (IFI). The Minister said: "The creation of six new workspace units at the Social Economy Village has the potential to create up to 36 jobs. It can also help encourage local entrepreneurship and stimulate economic growth in the local area," she said, noting this social enterprise development and its associated job creation opportunities are a welcome and encouraging boost. The workspace development, off the Glen Road in west Belfast, is one of over 40 projects across Northern Ireland.

(BMcC/JM)