Other NI News In Brief

City Airport Problems

There was a virtual standstill at George Best Belfast City Airport this morning as low level cloud forced flights to be diverted. Planes from East Midlands, Bristol, Manchester, London Luton and London Heathrow are to land at Belfast International Airport instead and there are continuing delays to a number of outbound flights. Passengers are advised to check with the airport before travelling.

999 Alert On Railway

The emergency services have been tasked to the railway line near the City Hospital in Belfast. The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service said that a person is under a train on the line after an incident was reported at about 3.30pm. Specialist rescue teams are in attendance and the line between Belfast Central and Great Victoria Street has been closed. The Donegall Road from Sandy Row to Broadway is also shut causing considerable traffic problems.

Cross-Border Hunt For Sophie

Police on both sides of the border have appealed for help in finding a young girl who is missing after she was not returned to her carers following a visit by her mother in Banbridge on Monday. Sophie is 17 months old and is in care, with the alert being sparked after the mum and her daughter were supposed to attend a toddlers' group in the town, but did not do so. Sophie's father cannot be located. Police said they were concerned for the child's welfare.

Derry Bomb Blast

A suspected pipe bomb has exploded outside a house in the Ardgrange area of Londonderry. It happened shortly after midnight on Tuesday and although no-one was injured, the front door of the house was damaged in the attack. Residents were forced to leave their homes but have since returned.

Moffett Suspect Freed

The man arrested in connection with the murder of Bobby Moffett earlier this week has been released without charge. The Shankill Road killing - which has been blamed on members of the UVF in Belfast - earlier saw four others previously detained in connection with the murder also released.

Dead Man's Kin Sought

Police in north Belfast are working to locate the next of kin of a man who was found dead earlier this year. The deceased who was found at Kansas Avenue on Friday 2nd April was identified to police as William Downey, who was 67-years-old. While there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death, so far police have been unable to establish details of next of kin but initial enquiries suggest that the deceased may have a sister living in the Tallaght area of Dublin. The Garda has now asked for anyone who can help identify Mr Downey's close relatives to contact the enquiry office at York Road police station, telephone 028 (048 from RoI) 90 65022, or (in NI) through the police exchange on 0845 600 8000.

(BMcC/GK)