Other NI News In Brief

Brazilian Success

The Lord Mayor of Belfast Councillor Pat Convery has hosted a reception for Ciaran Murphy at Belfast City Hall this week, (pictured). Ciaran, from north Belfast, is one of only eight footballers that have been chosen to represent Ireland at the Homeless World Cup in Brazil next month. The aim of the competition is to highlight the plight of homeless people and raise money to fight it around the world. Sixty-four nations will take part in the competition at Copacabana Beach in Rio from 19-26 September. Also pictured is Mick Pender, Director of Football Irish Street Leagues.

Antrim Bomb Alert Ends

A security alert in Antrim is now over after a pipe bomb was discovered on the window-sill of the house at Fir Grove Lane, a residential cul-de-sac in the town, at about 7.15am on Wednesday. A number of homes were evacuated while Army bomb disposal experts examined the device during an alert that lasted almost five hours as the device was made safe.

Party Stab Charges

A 30 year-old man, Stephen McCrea, from Riverview Park, Omagh has been remanded in custody at Enniskillen court this morning having been charged with the attempted murder of Tracy Monteith at Cappagh Villas, near Omagh, in the early hours of Sunday. Ms Monteith - a nurse - was stabbed in the head when she answered her front door during a house-warming party. Ms Monteith is being treated at the Royal Victoria Hospital where she remains critically ill.

Furnishing Successes

NI Environment Minister Edwin Poots has commended a furniture re-use project that is directly helping the environment and the community. Voluntary Service Lisburn (VSL) collects and restores unwanted furniture, which they then sell at their showroom at Haslem's Lane, Lisburn. It is estimated that potentially, an additional 30% of household bulky waste that is currently deposited through council collections and Household Waste Recycling Centres annually, could be reused. "VSL is an excellent example of how we need to rethink waste as a valuable resource - not something to be buried in the ground," said the Minister.

Fire Break

A man has been rescued from a fire in a flat in Co Antrim. Three fire units helped to put out the blaze at the apartment block on Larne's Glenarm road after the alarm was raised at 7.35pm last night. The man was treated at the scene by the Ambulance Service. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Police Crash Probed

Two police officers were injured after a car crash in Belfast city centre last night. The two male officers - and a man and woman in another car - were taken to hospital after the collision on East Bridge Street around 12.40am this morning. Police are appealing for anyone who witnessed the incident to contact them.

Smokers Hit

An east Belfast man has been fined £60 for smoking in his work vehicle. Mark Mulally, from Lisbon Street, was also ordered to pay court costs of £66 after he was detected smoking in his work vehicle on March 18 on the Ormeau Road. Also, Noel Hillock, from Glanleam Drive in north Belfast, was fined £75 and ordered to pay £66 after he failed to return a request for information into an alleged smoking offence by a taxi driver on January 7. Belfast City Council brought the prosecutions.

(BMcC/GK)