Other NI News In Brief

Milk Cup Kicks Off

The famous Manchester United soccer team kicked off this year's NI Milk Cup Premier section campaign last night. The Old Trafford football stars-in-the-making played against the County Antrim team at Ballymena Showgrounds, beating the local team 3-0. Meanwhile, a last-minute goal by James Lawrie helped holders Northern Ireland beat Germany 3-2 in Ballymoney in their Elite Section.

Swine Flu Spread At Student Conference

Two NI students have contracted swine flu after attending a USI student conference in Waterford Institute of Technology. A spokesperson for the Union of Students in Ireland confirmed the cases but could not say if four other students from UCC who have displayed similar symptoms have contracted the flu. UCC, in a statement said the situation was being managed in accordance with Health Service Executive (HSE) guidelines. The USI spokesperson said that up to 85 students attended the conference which was an intensive training conference with up to 40 modules over the four days. It is believed that students from up to 23 colleges attended the conference. She stated their welfare officer was working closely with the HSE in monitoring the position.

Derry Man Suffers Brain Damage

A man from Londonderry is being treated for brain injuries after he was attacked near his home at the weekend. It happened on Saturday morning when he was set upon by four men. Kieran Porter, 20, was beaten unconscious on Collon Lane and his condition is described as seriously ill. Mr Porter was transferred to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast where he remains.

Child Case Man In Court

A man has appeared in court charged with abducting a child in Belfast. Although the PSNI disclosed few details of the incident it is known to have happened in the north of the city on Friday night. The child was later recovered uninjured. On Monday, 33-year-old William James Coulter whose address was given as Centenary House, Belfast - a Salvation Army hostel - appeared before Laganside Court in Belfast in connection with the incident. The case has been adjourned until next month - no application for bail was made.

Elderly Horse Victim Buried

A tragic death earlier this month has been recalled with the funeral taking place of the elderly man killed in an accident at the recent Castlewellan Agricultural Show. Eighty-nine year-old Mr Wesley McNeill, who lived at Claragh near Clough, was killed by a runaway horse that bolted in the grounds of Castlewellan Forest Park on Saturday 18th July. Mr McNeill's funeral took place last week at Clough Presbyterian Church, with his coffin being brought to the church from his School Road home by a horse-drawn hearse. His only child, Hazel Neill, said he had a zest for life and that he was as sprightly as a man 30 years his junior. Speaking to the local paper, the Mourne Observer, she said that the victim had a great passion for the equestrian life and in recent months had still been riding his own horse.

North Belfast Group Gets Accolade

The Loughview community has been praised by Stormont Junior Ministers Gerry Kelly and Robin Newton. Established in July 2008 as the Community Empowerment Partnership, it works to tackle community issues and relationships in Mount Vernon, Whitecity, Shore Crescent, Graymount, Tiger's Bay, Mid Skegoniel and Mountcollyer. "This model of partnership working has been highly effective with many diverse groups sitting round the table. The style and ethos of the partnership has gone a great way to build relationships and trust," said Minister Kelly. Also commenting, Junior Minister Newton said: "The Partnership brings together a number of very diverse groups and it is very encouraging to see how relationships have developed and how groups are now working together for the good of the Lower North Belfast Community."

(BMcC/JM)