Other NI News In Brief

Age Awareness Highlighted

An initiative to appoint an older person's commissioner - launched by Stormont Junior Ministers Robin Newton and Gerry Kelly last week - has been welcomed as an important part of Age Awareness Week. The series of special events challenged the stereotypes faced by the older generation, with Anne O'Reilly, Chief Executive of Age Concern, (Pictured here with East Belfast MLA, Robin Newton) commenting: "Older people continue to be under-represented in society". See: NI's Older People To Gain Representation

Heroes Return

More than 400 soldiers from 38 Engineering Regiment returned from their six-month tour in Afghanistan and marched through the outskirts of Antrim on Saturday to their base at Massereene Barracks following a private civic event at Antrim Forum. Amid high security, the parade passed off peacefully with a rumoured protest by republicans failing to materialise. They were given the Freedom of the Borough and were greeted by rapturous applause and cheers from the crowd as they made their way along the short route from Antrim Forum to their base on the Randalstown Road.

Heights Trouble Flares

Fresh violence erupted in a flashpoint area of Coleraine last night after youths attacked police with missiles. It happened in the Heights area, where Catholic community worker Kevin McDaid was beaten to death earlier this year in a sectarian confrontation over flag-flying. Stones were thrown at PSNI officers and fireworks were set off. The unrest occurred at around 8pm as police responded to bottles being thrown in Killowen Street.

Road Tragedy

A woman has been killed in a road accident in Co Tyrone. Two cars were involved in the collision on the Omagh Road in Ballygawley at about 5pm on Sunday. Three people were taken to hospital for treatment following the accident. Their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening. Police have appealed for anyone who witnessed the accident - about two miles from the Ballygawley roundabout on the Omagh side - to contact them.

Swine Flu Battle

A local woman who recently gave birth in the Ulster Hospital in Dundonald, and was transferred to a special unit at Glenfield Hospital in Leicester on Thursday night remains seriously ill. She was continuing to battle for her life in the English hospital last night after being airlifted there for urgent treatment with severe swine flu complications. She is to undergoing a procedure known as Extra Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO), which adds oxygen to the blood. It is understood that her baby, born 10 days ago, is doing well. See: NI Swine Flu Mum Treated In England

Export Boost

Antrim company Pneutrol Ireland Ltd is investing £75,000 in a project to boost sales in Europe, Asia and the USA, with support from Invest Northern Ireland. Pneutrol provides a range of software and computerised devices to control the texture and ingredients of concrete when it is being produced. Its current customers outside Northern Ireland are mainly in the UK and Republic of Ireland. Invest NI has offered £29,425 towards the total costs of the initiative, which aims to exploit lucrative opportunities in construction markets.

Welcome As Roads Improved

A Mid Ulster MLA has welcomed a number of road improvements that have taken place throughout his constituency. The DUP's Ian McCrea lauded Road Service for its work. "I welcome the news that a number of road improvements have taken place in the Mid Ulster constituency and I commend the Roads Service for their work," he said. The road improvements include the recent resurfacing of the Drumenny Road at Ballinderry, the ongoing footpath resurfacing at Milburn, the verge strengthening of the Annaghquin Road an the replacing of the bridge on the Drumeen Road and the associated drainage.

(BMcC/KMcA)