Other NI News In Brief

Robinson On Defensive Over Expenses

Stormont First Minister Peter Robinson has been responding to reports in national newspapers the News of the World and the Daily Mail that he, and his MP wife, Iris (pictured here) were "the swish family Robinson". The papers claimed they were receiving over £570,000 a year in various salaries and expenses. Mr Robinson said if he and his wife's expenses when treated separately they "were at the low end of local MPs" and it was "unfair to combine them". He also said they could claim less but this would mean less services for their constituents, such as advice centres.

See: Double-Jobbing' Salaries Top £4.7m

Helicopter Victim From Co Antrim

It has emerged that one of the 16 people killed when a North Sea Super Puma helicopter crashed off the Scottish coast last week was originally from Ballymoney in Co Antrim. He was Brian Barkley, 30, and had been working for KCA Deutag Drilling Limited in Aberdeen. Half of those killed came from the north east of Scotland, the others from across the UK and one from Latvia. All 16 bodies have already been returned to shore. The wreckage from the crash has now been moved to the Air Accidents Investigation Branch headquarters.

See: 'No Hope' For Remaining Helicopter Crash Crew

Tough Time At The 'Chalk Face'

It has emerged that teachers at a Belfast primary school endured daily attacks from a five-year-old child. According to a survey, the assaults included head-butting and punching, with one teacher having to take off sick as a result. The information came to light during a survey of 1,000 teachers throughout the UK by the Association of Teachers and Lecturers. The teachers will discuss the problem at their conference next week.

MLA's Home Attacked

The home of Sinn Féin's Mitchel McLaughlin has been damaged in an early morning attack. A window was broken at the front of the property in Londonderry at about 5am on Monday. No-one was injured. The MLA said he was woken by a loud noise and went downstairs where he saw the damage.

Lenadoon Interface Group Praised

A Stormont Minister has paid tribute to the Suffolk Lenadoon Interface Group (SLIG) for their role in helping to prevent a sectarian hotspot from developing in the area. Margaret Ritchie's comments came during a visit to the Suffolk Estate in west Belfast where she met some of the people involved in SLIG. "A shared future is the only way forward for Northern Ireland. I commend the Suffolk Lenadoon Interface Group for the role they have played in ensuring that the Stewartstown Road did not develop into a sectarian interface," she said, acknowledging the level of commitment, vigilance and courage that is necessary to bring about a situation where local people feel at ease living, working and shopping side by side in an area that was once contested space.

Bellaghy Regeneration Complete

A sculpture, marking the completion of the Bellaghy Community Regeneration Improvement Special Programme, has been unveiled. The bronze life size sculpture is entitled the 'Turfman' and has been created by Scottish artist David Annand as an interpretation of the Nobel Laureate Seamus Heaney's literary work 'Digging'. Bellaghy Development Association commissioned the sculpture as part of a 10 year long community regeneration scheme which included the redevelopment of the old schoolhouse creating workspace units, two commercial premises, community space and three apartments. The project was funded by the International Fund for Ireland which contributed £270,000 towards the scheme, the Department for Social Development which contributed £270,000 and Magherafelt District Council which granted £50,000.

Media Campaign Lauds NI Environmental Assets

A new multi media advertising campaign was launched this week highlighting Northern Ireland's strongest environmental assets. NI Environment Minister Sammy Wilson launched the Northern Ireland Environment Agency's 'Wonderful' campaign celebrating the province's built and natural heritage. The Minister said at the launch of the animated adverts at Hillsborough Courthouse on Monday: "NIEA is responsible for managing, protecting and promoting altogether some 500 events, sites and properties in Northern Ireland each year. However research has shown that relatively few people know that these sites and events exist. The new animated advertising campaign will enable the public to view the Agency in a new light," he commented.

Lighting Improved On Bangor Estate

The Roads Service has installed new street lighting at the Rathgill Estate in Bangor, Co Down. Works were undertaken as part "of a programme to replace redundant street lights that have reached the end of their useful life", according to the Department of Regional Development. "In an urban area, Roads Service policy is to only provide lighting on the roads and footpaths along the frontage of properties," a spokesman said.

Pitch Construction Kicks Off

Building work has commenced on a new west Belfast playing field. The work is be undertaken at the site of a popular community complex in the area. It is expected construction works will be completed at the Grosvenor community centre by next year. A new football pitch forms part of the plans, which will also see floodlight and fencing installed. The former facility was shut down three years ago when work began on the massive Westlink roads scheme.

(BMcC)