Other NI News In Brief

M&S Drivers' Strike Looms

It looks likely today that deliveries to Marks and Spencer stores throughout the UK will be hit by a threatened drivers' strike. Some 100 staff at worldwide courier company DHL's centre in Mallusk near Belfast and two depots in England are considering walking out after a pay freeze, the union Unite said, which also revealed they are currently balloting on possible strike action. If the action by Unite is given the go-ahead, all the M&S stores in Ireland, the midlands and the north of England will be severely affected.

Dog Attack Boy Recovering

A seven-year-old boy is recovering at home after a double dog attack. He was treated in the Mater hospital in north Belfast and has since been discharged, but has been left traumatised after being attacked by the two dogs. Craig Meehan was bitten by what is believed to have been a boxer and a husky on the Ligoniel Road on Monday morning. Craig's mother said he suffered bites over his whole body but managed to protect his head and face until two neighbours pulled him away from the animals.

Dublin Lists Swine Flu Man 'Critical'

A Slovakian man was yesterday in a critical condition at St James's Hospital in Dublin with human swine flu. The man, who is in his 30s, was admitted to the hospital at the weekend, but few other details have been disclosed. The hospital says all necessary precautions are being taken. The latest figures from the Republic's Department of Health show that 226 cases of swine flu have been identified in Ireland, an increase of 21 since yesterday. The number of in-country transmissions of the virus yesterday stood at 32.

Fresh Steps For Construction Procurement

A series of new measures aimed at improving the way public sector construction contracts will be procured have been unveiled. Finance Minister Sammy Wilson set-out the 25 proposed actions, designed by the Construction Industry Forum for Northern Ireland (CIFNI) Procurement Task Group Report, during a visit to the site of the new Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI) building in Belfast's Titanic Quarter. The recommendations flow from the decision by the former Finance Minister, Nigel Dodds, to ask CIFNI to examine how Government could improve its procurement practices, particularly during the current economic downturn.

Warning Over Illegal Water Use

NI Water has appealed to the public to stop the unauthorised use of its hydrants to access the watermains network. The water authority said it is essential it has controlled access in order to maintain the safety, reliability and quality of water delivered to customers. In order to combat unauthorised third party use of its network, NI Water has made available a corporate standpipe that must be used to connect to a hydrant when drawing water directly from the mains. The use of this single corporate standpipe, by those authorised to use the system, will allow for easier identification of illegal use of the watermains network. Liam Mulholland, Acting Director of Customer Services, said: "Widespread abuse of NI Water's network is happening on a daily basis and must be stopped."

Omagh Leisure Centre Due Upgrade

Further redevelopment - worth over £5m - is to take place at Omagh leisure centre, the local council has said. The decision follows a completed project to extend the complex, and refurbish the main entrance and cafe. Omagh District Council now says it is committed to continue with further refurbishment works. "The council recognises the need for Omagh to have a state-of-the-art leisure complex and the existing facility requires refurbishment and upgrading to bring it up to standard required in the 21st century," said a spokesman for the authority.

(BMcC/JM)