Other NI News In Brief

Assault Mars Tall Ships

While tens of thousands of visitors are expected in Belfast for the four-day Tall Ships festival which begins when the 40-strong fleet arrives on Thursday, two Tall Ships crew members have been made less than welcome on coming ashore earlier, having been attacked in Ballycastle. It happened in the Ann Street area of the village on Monday evening shortly before midnight as the crew made their way back to the quayside. One man was treated in hospital for a broken nose but has been able to rejoin his ship. A man was arrested on suspicion of actual bodily harm and possession of an offensive weapon. He has since been released, pending further inquiries.

Flags Dispute Arrests

There were arrests last night after trouble in Co Down. Four men have been charged with public order offences after a crowd gathered in Peggy's Loaning in Banbridge on Tuesday night. Local councillors say that a dispute over flags raised tensions in the area. It is believed that loyalists were intending to remove tricolours. The four men who are aged 18, 22, 27 and 29 will appear in court in Newry on 3 September to face charges including unlawful assembly, riotous behaviour and assault on police. A crowd of up to 100 initially gathered in Peggy's Loaning around 9pm.

Killers Gloated After Shooting

Just minutes after a deadly gun attack by the Real IRA in which two soldiers at the Massereene army barracks in Antrim died, the gunmen boasted about the murders on their mobile phones. The revelation came during a High Court bail application for one of two men charged with the murders of Sappers Mark Quinsey and Patrick Azimkar who were gunned down in March along with three other soldiers and two pizza delivery men who were wounded. Two men have been charged with the killings, the prominent Lurgan republican Colin Duffy and 44-year-old Brian Shivers from Magherafelt. A prosecution barrister revealed that the police had recovered a conversation inadvertently recorded on one of the phones between the killers in the car and another member of the gang. During the conversation one of the men in the car is heard to say: "There's a few dead all right."

A Matter Of Taste

The NI Minister for Agriculture, Michelle Gildernew has attended the official launch of the new Taste of Ulster Guide. Speaking at the launch event, in the Great Hall at Queen's University, she said: "I am very aware of the importance of Taste of Ulster and their vision to develop and celebrate excellence in local cuisine and hospitality. Their efforts help ensure consumer confidence throughout the north of Ireland, whilst contributing significantly to food tourism and supporting our agri-food industry. It is very encouraging to see initiatives like the Taste of Ulster grow from strength to strength. They not only promote local food but also provide a significant boost to the rural economy and local communities," noting that the Department of Agriculture provided financial assistance to Taste of Ulster for the 2009/10 Guide from the Regional Food Programme.

Attack On Firemen Slammed

The SDLP Northland councillor Mark Durkan has condemned an attack on a Derry fire crew while attending a rubbish fire at Holy Family primary school earlier this week: "I totally condemn this attack on the crew as they were tackling a blaze at Holy Family primary school. Any right-minded individual will be outraged at this attack on our emergency services as they try to carry out their vital and often life-saving duties," he said, insisting that: "we need to have a zero tolerance approach to attacks on emergency services".

Fatal Accident Victim Named

The 25-year-old man who was killed in a road crash in Co Armagh on Monday morning has been named. He was Gary Brennan from the Corndevlish area of Co Monaghan and was the driver of a jeep which was in collision with a lorry on the Monaghan Road outside the village of Middletown. The driver of the lorry was badly shaken, but otherwise uninjured.

Rates Help Highlighted

The NI Finance Minister Sammy Wilson has launched a range of new information leaflets highlighting the help available to those struggling to pay their rate bill. The leaflets, produced by Land & Property Services in consultation with organisations from the local advice sector, are targeted specifically at pensioners, people with a disability and people on a low income. Mr. Wilson said: "The current economic climate is putting real financial pressure on everyone and in particular, many of our more vulnerable citizens. I therefore want to ensure that people who are struggling to pay their rate bill are aware of the range of financial assistance available," he commented.

Engineering Lecturer Honoured

A Belfast engineering lecturer has been recognised for his teaching successes. Harry McGonigle, an Engineering Skills for Industry lecturer at Belfast Metropolitan College, picked up the Learning and Skills Development Agency Northern Ireland (LSDAni) award for Outstanding Achievement in Teaching and Learning. The prize was awarded at the recent LSDAni conference at the Galgorm Hotel. The award was presented to Mr McGonigle for his outstanding work in co-ordinating and delivering the innovative Engineering Skills for Industry programme at the college.

(BMcC/KMcA)