A round-up of other stories in brief
PSNI investigates loyalist links to attacks on police in Antrim
The PSNI is investigating whether loyalist paramilitaries were involved in attacks on police in Co Antrim on Tuesday night. Two officers were injured, with one requiring hospital treatment, in the violence in Carrickfergus and Ballyclare.
Police suspect the attacks were linked and are studying whether the violence followed from an earlier police drugs operation in the Castlemara estate in Carrickfergus. A small quantity of cannabis was discovered in this action, and one man was arrested for allegedly causing a disturbance.
Some hours later police were attacked in the estate by about 20 to 25 masked men. Petrol bombs, fireworks, bottles, bricks and paints were thrown at police vehicles. One officer suffered minor injuries and a police vehicle was damaged.
An officer suffered head injuries in a second attack by masked men in Ballyclare.
Call for Garda-PSNI 'hotline'system
Fine Gael TD Alan Shatter has called for a new police communications system so that Garda and PSNI officers involved in hot pursuit of subversives or criminals along the Border can make direct and immediate contact.
The Fine Gael justice spokesman was in Belfast yesterday, where he met the North’s Minister for Justice David Ford and the PSNI chief constable Matt Baggott.
“I was very anxious to convey the message that Fine Gael is fully supportive of the Garda and PSNI, and if and when we find ourselves in government we will continue that level of co-operation,” said Mr Shatter.
He said he discussed methods of enhancing co-operation between the two forces.
It should be possible to create an “entirely secure” system of direct communications between Garda and PSNI teams tracking or in hot pursuit of suspects along the Border.
“I will be raising this issue directly with the Minister for Justice,” he added.
Siptu to hold health division conference
The health division of trade union Siptu is today to hold its first national conference under revised structures in the union.
Senior figures associated with the Siptu health division have been linked to the current controversy over the Skill training scheme in the health service. Siptu has said it had no knowledge of such an account or the payments made into it. Siptu has excluded the media from the conference which takes place in Liberty Hall.
Minister to move on mortage aid
Minister for Social Protection Éamon Ó Cuív said he would reform the mortgage interest supplement. Speaking at an Oireachtas committee, Mr Ó Cuív said the scheme had to be made more "amenable" to people. "We are going to get rid of the rule that if you do more than 30 hours a week . . . that you're out," Mr O Cuív said. The Minister said some people, particularly in the self-employed sector, had been given mortgages on incomes they never had.