Monthly Archives: January 2014

Politicians from across the divide have united to condemn a gun attack on a dwelling in Larne’s Factory area. Both Ulster Unionist East Antrim Assembly member Roy Beggs Jnr, and his Sinn Fein counterpart Oliver McMullan deplored the incident in which a gunshot was fired through the living room window of the house in Ferris Avenue at about 1am on Friday, January 24. A man and a woman who were in the property at the time escaped injury. Police have issued an appeal for information about the crime. Mr Beggs said: “It is deplorable that a family only narrowly escaped injury when shots were fired through a living room window. “I utterly condemn the actions of those responsible and I urge anyone with information to come forward to the police. “There is no place for violence in Northern Ireland and those responsible should know that their actions are not supported … Continue reading →

The US company is to expand its NI operations to produce articulated truck axles. It expects the move will maintain up to 100 jobs at its plant in Larne, Co Antrim. Robert Kennedy, from Caterpillar, said: “This important announcement primarily recognises the high standard of the facilities, processes, skills and expertise in NI.” The NI operations director added: “It is also a testament to the cost competitiveness of manufacturing in Northern Ireland and advantages the local facilities have in terms of proximity to customers, access to ports and other transportation infrastructure.” Production of the axles, which are a key component of Caterpillar’s articulated trucks, got underway in NI on a preliminary basis some months ago. The company said the parts will now be permanently sourced from local facilities. Phil Handley, Caterpillar’s Managing Director for Articulated Trucks, said: “Caterpillar NI operations are proven and very capable. “We’re happy with the level … Continue reading →

The US company is to expand its NI operations to produce articulated truck axles. It expects the move will maintain up to 100 jobs at its plant in Larne, Co Antrim. Robert Kennedy, from Caterpillar, said: “This important announcement primarily recognises the high standard of the facilities, processes, skills and expertise in NI.” The NI operations director added: “It is also a testament to the cost competitiveness of manufacturing in Northern Ireland and advantages the local facilities have in terms of proximity to customers, access to ports and other transportation infrastructure.” Production of the axles, which are a key component of Caterpillar’s articulated trucks, got underway in NI on a preliminary basis some months ago. The company said the parts will now be permanently sourced from local facilities. Phil Handley, Caterpillar’s Managing Director for Articulated Trucks, said: “Caterpillar NI operations are proven and very capable. “We’re happy with the level … Continue reading →

/Causeway Hospital in Coleraine is part of the Northern Trust By Rebecca Black – 25 January 2014 A damning report has detailed 14 years of inappropriate dealings with contractors for the Northern Trust. Despite saying he has “serious concerns”, Health Minister Edwin Poots has been slammed by the SDLP for taking almost two years to publicly respond to concerns raised by two whistleblowers. A special investigation by the estates service of the Northern Health Trust found that almost £6m of maintenance work carried out by contractors was not properly accounted for. However, allegations made by a whistleblower that contracting a former trust employee was inappropriate were dismissed. It found that it was permissible for the ex-staff member to provide services to the trust, despite being retired on ill-health grounds, and that the rate charged per hour – £40 – was reasonable. Allegations of potential malpractice were made by whistle-blowers in … Continue reading →

Police investigating a series of copper cabling thefts, some involving the cutting down of electricity pylons, believe that a single criminal gang is responsible. Officers are investigating a number of recent incidents in the Broughshane and Glens areas and are seeking information from the public as part of their investigation as well as warning of the dangers posed when pylons and live cables are damaged in this way. NIE has also issued a strong safety warning following the spate of damage to electricity equipment over recent days. It is understood there have been four separate incidents where poles have been sawed down in order to steal overhead electricity lines or electricity wire has been ripped off the side of homes. The incidents happened overnight, cutting power to local residents and risking the serious injury of the perpetrators, passers-by or livestock, NIE have said. On Saturday, January 18, police received a … Continue reading →