Other NI News In Brief

Rail Death Was Murder, Say Police

The tragic death of a Portrush schoolboy killed on a railway line is now officially being treated as murder, police have confirmed. Ryan Quinn, 14, was struck by a train near the seaside town last Friday. The PSNI statement comes on the day the St Joseph's pupil is being buried at the nearby St John's Church, Coleraine. PSNI detectives believe the teenager may have been in a local bar, before an altercation broke out and he was chased before being struck by the train. Three men and a teenager, arrested over the death, have all been released on bail.

Derry Teen Beaten

A 13-year-old boy has been attacked by a group of men in the Waterside area of Londonderry. The attack on the schoolboy took place at Aughlish Court shortly after 7.30pm on Tuesday. He was taken to hospital with a number of suspected fractures. Two men have been arrested.

SF Seek Retention Of St Mary's

Sinn Féin Chair of Stormont's Employment and Learning Committee, Sue Ramsey, and Further Education spokesperson, Paul Butler, have both called on Reg Empey and the Department of Employment and Learning to ensure that St Mary's College in West Belfast has a secure future. Speaking the Committees' report into teacher education was debated in the Assembly on Tuesday Ms Ramsey said: "The Minister and his department have been trying to impose new funding arrangements that would have lead to the closure of St Mary's College." Party colleague, Paul Butler, echoed her views: "It is an integral part of greater west Belfast and it is essential that the college has a future. It also plays an important role in providing teachers in the Irish medium sector," he said, noting that the party is opposed to any plans to close St Mary's College.

Copius Investment Made

Local firm Copius Consulting is investing £370,000 to increase its business in external markets with support from Invest Northern Ireland. Copius Consulting, which is headquartered in Belfast and has an office in Londonderry, provides support services to community organisations, helping them with business management, access to public funding, capital project management and social enterprise development. The investment is helping Copius Consulting to establish itself as a major player in this niche sector throughout the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom.

Going Dutch?

The favourable exchange rate and easy air access makes Northern Ireland an attractive destination for European visitors, says NI Tourism Minister, Arlene Foster. She was addressing tourism operators in the Netherlands this week, as part of Northern Ireland's biggest-ever trade mission to Europe, organised by Tourism Ireland. She said: "The Netherlands is an important tourism market for Northern Ireland with already established travel and trade links. We want to encourage those Dutch tourists who enjoy year-round trips abroad, particularly short-breaks and activity holidays, to come to Northern Ireland."

Asda Antrim Outlined

Supermarket chain Asda has released further details of its £25m flagship store proposed for Co Antrim. Designs for the development, located at the Junction One Retail Park, were approved by the planning authority last month. The overall scheme will encompass 55,000 square feet of floor space, making it Asda's largest Northern Ireland outlet. Plans for the store were unveiled to the public earlier this month. Around 400 jobs will be created at the supermarket, as well as much-needed construction work for the local sector. Work is expected to start on site in August this year and the store is scheduled to open in 2010.

(BMcC/JM)