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T: 028 3835 4843
A FATHER and his teenage
daughter remain critically ill
in hospital following a gun
attack in Belfast yesterday
morning.
Harry Hales, 47, was hit at
least twice in the chest when
he was getting into a car out-
side a house in Evelyn Gar-
dens, north Belfast, at around
8.30am.
His daughter Emma, 18,
who was with him at the time,
was shot in the stomach and
hand.
Gun attack
pair critical
Ethnic cleansing
fears over bomb
DISSIDENT republicans have
been slammed for placing an
explosive device at the home of
a UUP councillor in Fermanagh
amid fears of attempted ethnic
cleansing.
Former UUP leader Tom Elli-
ott described the incident at the
Rosslea home of Harold Andrews
as deplorable and said local
Protestants were extremely con-
cerned.
Army experts spent several
hours on Monday dealing with
the viable device close to the farm
lane following a warning from a
dissident republican group.
In a subsequent statement to
UTV yesterday, the same group-
ing claimed the device came to
be close to the laneway as a result
of a failed attack on the security
forces.
It further claimed the horizon-
tal mortar had failed to detonate
after it was fred at a passing po-
lice patrol.
However, Fermanagh and
South Tyrone MLA Mr Elliott
said he was taking the terrorist
statement with a pinch of salt.
My understanding is that the
original message actually said
that a bomb had been left at Ha-
rold Andrews house and there
was no indication at that stage of
any other issue, he said.
BY mark raineY
and BrYan GraY
newsdesk@newsletter.co.uk
A taste of life
down on the
farm SEE PAGE 3
The pride of Northern Ireland
Price: 75p (ir 1.05 eUrO) Wednesday, april 4, 2012
as Titanic fever continues
to grip Ulster, Belfasts
Victoria Square shopping
centre is playing host
to an attempt to create
a 40-foot replica of the
famous liner. Centre
manager Hugh Black and
Fiona Fisher of Worldwide
Balloon Dcor have their
hands full as they stop to
admire the grand work in
progress after the frst of
over 14,000 balloons are
attached. The model is set
to be completed tomorrow
Titanic
balloon bid
begins to
take shape
NEWLY-ELECTED Ulster
Unionist leader Mike Nes-
bitt has reshuffed his partys
main team at Stormont.
The announcement was
made yesterday following the
frst meeting of the UUP As-
sembly group under his stew-
ardship.
Mr Nesbitt has nominated
himself to become chair of
the OFMDFM committee
with outgoing chair and
previous party leader Tom
Elliott remaining a member
of the committee.
new leader
in reshuffe
Since 1737
www.newsletter.co.uk



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Turn to page 4;
see morning View, page 18
See page 8
See page 5
inSiDe
UFU chief upbeat on
future for agri-food
COURTESY of his address to this years UFU annual dinner, Union President John Thompson highlighted the potential for growth within Northern Irelands agri-food industry and its ability to contribute to the local economy. This, he believes, will be achieved by both creating jobs and sparking investment. However, Mr Thompson also stressed the vital importance of retaining a viable farming sector. From primary production to food processing through to the development of new markets we are looking at an industry with a bright future, he explained. However, the reality for farmers is that we need to see an industry
that is proftable and sustainable. Unfortunately, at the moment often when farmers are producing more they are paid less and this is especially diffcult at a time when we are seeing input costs rising at a startling rate. Encouragingly, our agriculture colleges are full of enthusiastic young people eager to play their part but for that enthusiasm to be maintained the whole food chain has to be proftable. Mr Thompson continued: In Northern Ireland right now we have a real opportunity to signifcantly develop our agri-food sector and I believe primary producers are the key. We do our part by producing safe, high quality food but what we need is a fair return for this quality produce and an opportunity to grow farming proftably. The agri-
food industry is a vital part of the Northern Ireland economy, and we have an incredible opportunity to invest in and grow this industry further. Mr Thompson concluded: Now is the time for action; not just words. Agriculture Minister Michelle ONeill was the guest speaker at the UFU annual dinner. In her keynote address she focused on CAP reform as the major issue of concern to most farming families. The minister said: I thank the UFU for its submission to the CAP proposals. I plan to present a detailed response directly to the EU Commission in April following the recent consultation. I consider it is important that we put our thoughts directly to the Commission especially as we
dont always concur with Defra, especially on the budgetary aspects of CAP Reform. That said, I will work with Defra and the other devolved administrations as closely as possible, and I will keep in regular contact with Minister Simon Coveney who will hold the EU Presidency in the frst half of 2013 when CAP reform may be agreed. Michelle ONeill continued: It is extremely important that we have and maintain an open and constructive dialogue on this matter so that all of the issues are fully aired and understood by everyone. But we also need to move towards a conclusion, not just because this is demanded of us by the Commission, but also, importantly, so that it will end the current uncertainty for farmers.
By RichaRd halleRon
all the latest
equestrian news
PaGeS 9-14
news, pictures and
reports from yFc
PaGeS 15-17
Wednesday, april 4, 2012
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FARM INSURANCE
CALL BRADY
INSURANCE FOR
A COMPETITIVE
QUOTE ON:
? TRACTOR
INSURANCE
? FARM LIABILITY
? QUADS
? OUTBUILDINGS
? LIVESTOCK Etc.
Call
028 6634 0774
Cush n your
crops...!
Sell your struw n
ClussIeds
Kmul lneuge to clussIed@IurmnglIe.com
Victoria Mccook, from Ballyrashane creamery, congratulates claire Kane, from cross and Passion college, Ballycastle, as her teacher louise
Houston looks on. Victoria is a fnalist in the Dairy Councils Young Cook of the Year competition. PicTURe STeVen McaUley/KeVin McaUley PhoToGRaPhy MUlTiMedia.
See page 7
Rory ready for
his assault on
Augusta SEE SPORT