Other NI News In Brief

Further Cigs Haul Recovered

A second successful operation against smuggled tobacco products took place on Thursday. Almost 30,000 counterfeit and smuggled cigarettes were seized in early morning raids in Belfast when officers from HM Revenue & Customs, supported by police, targeted eight retail premises in the north of the city. As well as the cigarette seizure business records were taken away. The seizure came the day after a major smuggling operation was cracked and £5m worth of illicit cigarettes uncovered in Belfast docks. Over eight million Regal King Size cigarettes were found by UK Border Agency officers hidden behind boxes in a cargo just arrived in the port. See: International Operation Nets Cigarettes

Boy Held Over Newry Death

A 13-year-old boy is among those being questioned over the murder of a man in Co Down earlier this week. On Thursday, four people were arrested in connection with the violent death of Marek Muszynski, who was 40 and from Sandy's Street in the city. He was found dead in a laneway at Upper Edward Street early on Tuesday morning. The boy was arrested in Newry as were a man, 18, and a woman, 20. The woman was freed pending further inquiries. Another woman, 21, was also arrested in London. Five people are currently in custody in connection with the death. A 20-year-old man and woman arrested earlier remain in custody. See: Newry Victim 'Severely Beaten'

Drumcree Resolution Sought

The Garvaghy Road Residents Coalition (GRRC) said this week that members are to meet with First Minister and DUP Leader Peter Robinson this morning. It follows invitations issued by Mr Robinson to both the GRRC and the Orange Order in Portadown, in a bid to resolve the historic and long-running Drumcree marching dispute. Full story: Garvaghy Residents To Meet Robinson

Short Strand Voices Traffic Concerns

East Belfast residents have raised concerns over the flow of traffic using Bryson Street in the Short Strand. Sinn Féin representative Niall Ó Donnghaile said he has made initial contact with the Roads Service regarding the matter. "The issue of traffic calming is one of major concern within the Short Strand community; there are very few streets that have any form of traffic calming, despite the area being used as a short cut by many motorists travelling to and from the city centre," said Mr Ó Donnghaile.

QUB Gets New Chancellor

Belfast's Queen's University has announced the appointment of a new chancellor, Kamalesh Sharma, the Secretary General of the Commonwealth and former Indian High Commissioner in London. The new man was largely responsible for cementing relations between Northern Ireland and India which led to the country's investment in NI businesses. He will replace the American politician and diplomat Senator George Mitchell, who has just retired from the largely honorary post as chancellor.

Construction Excellence Awards

The Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness, has praised the local construction industry's continued commitment to quality as he revealed the shortlisted finalists for the Construction Excellence Awards 2009. The competition, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, received a record number of entries even though the industry is facing the most difficult trading conditions in a generation. This year over 100 projects were entered into the awards. In one category the judges had the almost impossible task of selecting only four finalists from 16 strong contenders. An event to showcase finalists is scheduled for early September and will be held in Victoria Square, Belfast.

(BMcC/JM)