Other NI News In Brief

More Time To Quiz Suspect

Police officers who are probing a murder in Ballymena 14 years ago have been given another 36 hours to continue to question a man about the death. The 49-year-old was arrested in Cambridge and brought back to Northern Ireland on Monday night. Yesterday, he was still being questioned at Antrim Police Station. The victim, Lorraine Mills, was a mother-of-two and was 36 when she was found dead in her home in Staffa Drive in the Ballykeel Estate in May 1995.

Platform Man Thrown

A worker has been taken to hospital after being thrown from a 'cherry picker'. It happened when a lorry crashed into the machine - and also hit another parked lorry in Co Armagh. The accident happened at Northway in Portadown shortly after 9am this morning. The man is being treated for a head injury while the driver of one of the other lorries was also taken to hospital, but neither man's injuries are thought to be life-threatening.

'999' Team Ready For Games

The Northern Ireland Team travelling to the 2009 World Police and Fire Games was hosted by the NI Sports Minister, Nelson McCausland yesterday. He joined with competitors and guests at a reception in Stormont and said: "I welcome the opportunity to honour the Northern Ireland team who are keen to increase their medal tally of 12, which was achieved in Adelaide in 2007 and I send my best wishes for the forthcoming games in Vancouver," he said, noting that about 100 competitors will participate in a number of disciplines such as athletics, boxing, swimming, golf, indoor rowing and rugby.

Lisburn Water Station Welcomed

A new £3m wastewater pumping station has been unveiled in Lisburn. The new station, which supplements the original one, has been welcomed by Lisburn City Council as complimenting its regeneration of the Lagan corridor. John Water, Project Manager NI Water, said the new foul pumping station will provide an enhanced quality of service for local customers. "It includes a new generator to deal with 'emergency' scenarios. Situated close to the River Lagan, we were keen to develop a site that would improve river water quality and meet environmental standards," he said.

Student Services Praised

The NI Employment and Learning Minister, Sir Reg Empey, has praised the work of student support services in helping students reach their potential in their studies and future careers. The Minister was speaking at the annual conference held by the Association of Managers of Student Services in Higher Education, the Student Services Organisation, which was held in Belfast for the first time. The conference brought together over 80 leaders from the UK's 169 Universities and higher education institutions to discuss 'Student Services: Community, Identity and Place'.

Cave Hill Gets Giant Accolade

A 'giant' on the Belfast landscape has scooped a prestigious Green Flag Award. Cavehill Country Park achieved the national standard for parks and green spaces for the north Belfast landmark which is one of four parks in Northern Ireland to achieve the status. Describing it as "welcoming", judges praised the park for being safe and secure, clean and well maintained. The park also excelled in conservation and heritage for its rich tapestry of biodiversity across the entire site, with the history of Belfast Castle itself also pleasing the judges. The Cavehill is credited as the inspiration for Jonathan Swift's Gullivers' Travels - with the author ministering nearby before taking up a post in Dublin.

Work Commences On Downpatrick Complex

The first sod has been cut at the £3.9m Ballymote extension project in Downpatrick.

The project involves an expansion to the existing Ballymote complex and the construction of a separate multi use sports hall. NI Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie said: "This new development will leave a lasting legacy for the people of this area. It will create employment opportunities locally and provide a community hub for everyone in the area." She said the new sports complex would provide state of the art facilities for people of all ages and encourage participation in sporting activities. The Minister paid tribute to the other organisations that provided funding to the scheme and to the local community.

(BMcC/JM)