Bomb police want to trace couple

24 April 2011 Last updated at 02:34 GMT Parcel bombs were sent to manager Neil Lennon and two other people with connections to Celtic Police investigating parcel bombs sent to Celtic manager Neil Lennon and two other people are appealing for a couple in their early 20s to come forward.

They were seen in the Ayrshire town of Kilwinning on the day the most recent explosive device was discovered there.

Strathclyde Police have also arrested two men suspected of posting sectarian and racist comments on the internet.

The developments come as Rangers and Celtic prepare for the final Old Firm derby of the season on Sunday.

The match, which will be closely monitored by police, will go a long way towards deciding the Scottish Premier League title.

Bus sighting

A parcel bomb addressed to Lennon's lawyer, Paul McBride QC, was discovered at a postbox in Kilwinning.

Since then police have been hoping someone might have witnessed it being dropped inside.

Officers now say they want to trace a couple who were seen getting on a number 20 bus in Montgomerie Terrace at about 1410 BST on 15 April.

The man was wearing a light blue and white top and the woman had a dark padded jacket. Detectives would like to hear from anyone who saw them.

Another Strathclyde Police team has begun arresting people suspected of inciting racial or sectarian hatred on the internet.

Two men were charged with sectarian breach of the peace on Saturday and dozens of others are being investigated.

Sectarian threats

The arrests were made in Paisley and Dalmarnock in the east end of Glasgow. They are expected to appear at Glasgow Sheriff Court on Tuesday.

The raids, which police said were ongoing, target postings of religious and racial hate comments about Lennon and Rangers striker El Hadji-Diouf.

It is understood the addresses were identified with the help of the Internet Service Providers Association, as part of an operation which has been going on for several weeks.

Police said some online postings were already being taken down but officers had captured the electronic evidence for individuals being targeted.

The suspects range in age from their early teens to their 50s.

An extra 1,000 officers will be out in Glasgow on Sunday for this season's seventh Old Firm match, being played at Rangers' Ibrox stadium.

Neil Lennon has had sectarian threats made against him throughout his career as a player and manager at Celtic and was the target of a parcel bomb campaign, which also saw devices addressed to Mr McBride and Celtic-supporting former MSP Trish Godman.

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NI couple recall earthquake drama

24 February 2011 Last updated at 10:52 GMT A statue lies where it fell in Cathedral Square, Christchurch, after the earthquake A NI couple have described how they were lucky to survive the New Zealand earthquake which has claimed the lives of more than 90 people.

Tony and Rosemary Irwin from Dungannon, were due to visit Christchurch Cathedral on Tuesday when it struck.

The Irish Department of Foreign Affairs has "strong concerns" for the safety of two Irish people following the quake which killed an Irishman.

Mrs Irwin said her husband had saved her and was a "hero".

She said he had pushed her into a shop doorway in a bid to escape the devastation

"On that very morning we had decided to go up to visit the lovely cathedral and have a tour," she said.

"We were at the very top of the street when the most incredible quake happened, the ground both rolling and rising.

"My husband is a hero in this because it was his quick thinking that saved us both."

Around 20 people are believed to have died after the spire collapsed at the cathedral. Police are still searching for more than 200 people in the city.

Mr Irwin described the situation which they encountered as the earthquake started to take effect.

"It was a choice between going out onto the street or getting under a doorway into a building that might collapse," he added.

"There is really not very much time to think about it, but I could see the bricks coming down and I just grabbed Rosemary and rolled her into a shop doorway and we just stayed there huddled in the corner until it was over.

"There were bricks raining down and the shaking was astonishing.

"When it all stopped there was absolute silence.

Owen McKenna

"The noise must have been horrendous, but I don't remember hearing any of it."

Meanwhile, tributes are being paid to the Irishman who died in the New Zealand earthquake. He was 41-year-old Owen McKenna, originally from Emyvale in County Monaghan.

He was married to a woman from NZ and had two children of primary school age. He trained as a nurse in London but moved to NZ after meeting his wife.

His car was crushed under falling debris during the quake in Christchurch.

His mother and wider family circle still live in the Emyvale area.

Rescue teams in Christchurch have been searching the rubble for survivors and the government has declared a national state of emergency.

An emergency number has been issued for those concerned about friends and family in Christchurch.

The number to contact in New Zealand is 00 64 78 50 21 99.

The NZ police website is www.police.govt.nz

The Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin has also issued a contact number for anyone with concerns about family or friends in the Christchurch area. The number is 003531 4180222

The Foreign Office is also offering assistance to British citizens who have been caught up in the earthquake in New Zealand. The number to call 020 7008 8765.

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