Other NI News In Brief

Orde Slams Assembly

Never one afraid of contentious comments, Sir Hugh Orde Northern Ireland's outgoing police chief has accused the Stormont administration of "not doing enough to tackle segregation and division". He said this week that while his officers remained determined to face off the threat posed by dissident republicans, the authorities had to do more to address the underlying causes of conflict and tension in the region. Just days before leaving the Police Service of Northern Ireland after seven years as Chief Constable he urged the government to deliver on its 'Shared Future Strategy', which he claimed had been left "on the back burner".

NI Escapes Fujitsu Cuts

Workers at Fujitsu's operations in Northern Ireland won't suffer as the firm instigates about 1,200 job losses announced across the rest of the UK. A spokesman for the company said the cutbacks were "likely to have a minimal impact" on its activities in Northern Ireland. Fujitsu employs 490 people at various locations in Belfast and 155 in Londonderry.

Protests At DPP Meeting

Dissident republicans have again disrupted a District Policing Partnership (DPP) meeting in Co Londonderry. Protestors walked into the meeting in Dungiven on Tuesday night with banners and shouted protests. A police spokesperson said they were "committed to working with the community on community issues and look forward to the next public meeting" and noted that people have the right to protest peacefully, but "any complaints or breaches of the law will be fully investigated". Last month, about 30 protesters threw stink bombs, blew whistles and chanted anti-police slogans at a DPP meeting in Derry.

Stena Back Charity

Ferry company Stena Line has taken part in fundraising activities that have generated some £15,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support. The money was raised over the past seven years through the ferry operator's support of Macmillan's World's Biggest Coffee Morning initiative. As a result, Macmillan will continue to provide medical, emotional and financial support to people who have been affected by cancer in Northern Ireland.

Flood Advice Issued In Antrim

Antrim Borough Council has become the first local authority to issue a flooding advice booklet. The multi-agency Flooding Information Booklet is designed to ensure that households which are most likely to suffer the effects of flooding have all the necessary advice, information and telephone numbers.

Newry Train Station To Open

Translink has confirmed that Newry's new £14.7m railway station will open next month. The facility is expected to bolster the city's already thriving cross-border trade links, prompted by the strengthened Euro. It will also provide a more efficient gateway to those travelling to Belfast and Dublin - although significant delays are now being caused by bus substitutions around a section of closed rail track which last week collapsed into the sea at Malahide, near Dublin.

(BMcC/GK)