In Short

A round-up of today's other stories in brief

A round-up of today's other stories in brief

125th attack on home in loyalist area

A father of three whose family home was damaged in a sectarian petrol bomb attack in Derry late on Wednesday night said yesterday it was the 125th time his house had been damaged.

William Jackson lives in the Fountain Estate, the only predominantly loyalist estate on Derry's West Bank. Over the last 10 days stones, petrol bombs and paint bombs have been thrown at his home over a security wall which surrounds the estate close to the city centre.

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"It's a so-called peace wall but it doesn't bring us much peace. It was the 125th time my home has been attacked by nationalist youths using petrol bombs or paint bombs or stones or ballbearings. Thugs from the Bogside and the Brandywell areas are behind the attacks. Their aim is an all-Catholic West Bank area of this city, but they're not going to get it," he said.

Labour warns on Ryder Cup rip-off

The Labour Party has called on the Government to ensure that Ireland's reputation as a popular tourist destination is not undermined by profiteering at tourists' expense during this year's Ryder Cup.

Minister for Tourism John O'Donoghue has yet to put in place a strategy to prevent tourists from being ripped off during the Ryder Cup, said Labour Party spokesman on tourism Jack Wall. A more active Government approach is required to demand that our reputation is not jeopardised, he said.

Greens call for flood protection

The Government was last night criticised for pouring money into adverts warning about winter floods without providing the cash to build defences and protect homes. With residents in south Dublin fearing the River Dodder could burst its banks again, Green Party chairman John Gormley said offering advice over the airwaves would do nothing to help his constituents.

Radio adverts warn people they are at risk if they live in an area which has been flooded previously, if concerns are being raised locally, if houses are in a low-lying area and near open water or if Ordnance Survey maps indicate flooding is liable.