A roundup of today's other news stories in brief

Belfast firm buys London shops scheme

Belfast developer William Ewart Properties has exchanged contracts to buy a £92.5 million (€129 million) shopping centre in central London. The purchase of Victoria Place, situated in Victoria Station, will bring Ewart's total property portfolio close to £1.5 billion.

Donegal bakery sells slice of firm

Donegal bakery Gallagher's has sold a substantial stake in its business to food group IAWS.

A spokesman for family-owned Gallagher's, which employs more than 160 people in the Ardara area, said the deal was a "positive move" for the company.

He declined to disclose details of the deal but confirmed that Declan Gallagher will continue to run the company.

Jobs will be secure, the spokesman said. Gallagher's Bakery was opened by Frank Gallagher in 1968.

Helix close to making UK deal

Helix Health, the supplier of software for the primary healthcare market, is close to making a strategic acquisition in the UK and is examining funding options for the purchase. The firm's chief executive, Howard Beggs, said Helix had considered approaches from private equity and venture capital firms.

Plea-bargain term for Hollinger chief

A US judge yesterday gave a 29-month prison sentence to David Radler, one-time president of media giant Hollinger International Inc, whose trial testimony helped convict former press baron Conrad Black.

Radler, a 65-year-old Canadian, had pleaded guilty to a single count of fraud in 2005 in an agreement that led to eight days of testimony at a trial that concluded in July. -(Bloomberg)

New chairman for Tourism Ireland

Hugh Friel, the outgoing chief executive of Kerry Group, has been appointed chairman of Tourism Ireland. He succeeds Andrew Coppel.

Meanwhile, Pat Crotty has been re-elected as the chairman of the Small Firms Association.

Concerns about business climate

A large majority of members of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants expect the business climate to deteriorate in the coming year. The latest CPA/Amárach business barometer survey found that almost three-quarters of 364 accountants surveyed expect at least some deterioration.

Monaghan gold resources 'treble'

Conroy Diamonds and Gold said at its agm in Dublin yesterday that the likely gold resources at its Clontibret mine in Co Monaghan have trebled.

Dragon Oil to buy Yemen interests

Dragon Oil plc has agreed, subject to certain required approvals, to acquire interests in a number of blocks in the Republic of Yemen.

Island Oil firm in Albania deal

A subsidiary of Island Oil & Gas plc has acquired the 50 per cent equity interest in the Durres Block in offshore Albania that it did not already own from Lundin Albania BV.

The subsidiary, Island International Exploration BV, has agreed farm out terms with Australian company Beach Petroleum Ltd.