Other NI News In Brief

Flying High For Environment

Aviation company Bombardier has launched a sustainable communities programme in partnership with Business in the Community to provide practical support on environmental challenges facing local communities. Ten community groups from greater Belfast will participate in the scheme scheduled to run from September to June 2010. Pictured at the launch of Bombardier's Sustainable Communities programme are Keelin Hamill, Project Manager, ARENA Network, Susan McCrory, Falls Women's Centre, Michael Ryan, Vice-President and General Manager, Bombardier Aerospace, Belfast and Billy Thompson, Dunmurry Community Association.

Ashes Team Welcomed

Stormont Junior Minister Robin Newton has hailed the England cricket team's visit to Stormont yesterday for their one day international against Ireland. Speaking from the game the DUP MLA - a former international athlete himself - said: "Having so many of the Ashes' winning side here is a tremendous coup for local sport and I warmly welcome them here today to the grounds of Stormont Estate. Once again the eyes of the sporting world are on Northern Ireland with huge interest in this game, coming as it does in between the Ashes series and England's upcoming Twenty20 and one day series against Australia," he said, noting that the match is also a sign of how far Irish cricket has come in recent years.

Chief Constable Date Agreed

Matt Baggott, the new PSNI Chief Constable, will start his new job on 22 September. The Northern Ireland Policing Board confirmed the date yesterday. Board Chairman Barry Gilligan said that since his appointment negotiations have been ongoing with the Leicestershire Police Authority - where Mr Baggott is currently based - with the date now agreed.

Dump Man Pays Penalty

A Co Antrim man has been given a conditional discharge for two years, plus £22 costs, at Lisburn Magistrates' Court. Brian McArt, 58, a digger driver from Rusheyhill Road, Lisburn, pleaded guilty to three waste offences. He was also required to pay £1,060 to the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) for loss of revenue as he had failed to obtain a waste management authorisation for the site. Approximately 1,000 tonnes of waste has been deposited in an unauthorised site and would have cost approximately £4,000 to dispose of at a licensed site.

Apprentice Heads To WorldSkills

A young joinery Apprentice from Co Fermanagh is off to represent the UK at the WorldSkills Calgary 2009 competition. Trevor Woods, from Lack, headed off to Canada yesterday. NI Skills Minister, Sir Reg Empey, wished the young apprentice every success at the WorldSkills event, which is the largest skills competition in the world. Trevor, a City and Guilds qualified apprentice at South West Regional College, and employed by McAleer and Teague, Dromore, will face tough competition against the best young skilled people in the world to win a medal for his country. He is part of the 26-strong team which will represent the UK in the 40 official skill categories.

Ballyclare Housing Project Welcomed

Private developer KPL has announced plans for a £400m housing project in south Antrim, which is set to create 600 building jobs during its first year of construction. Local assemblyman David Ford has welcomed the news, which will see new housing, community facilities and a by-pass road built in Ballyclare. "This project will be a great boost to the local area, creating new houses and community facilities. The fact that is will create 600 jobs in its first year of construction will be welcome news to the construction sector during this economic downturn. It is a massive project that will ease traffic congestion in the area which has been a major problem in recent years. It shows how ambitious the Northern Ireland construction sector is," he said.

(BMcC/KMcA)