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Price: 75p (IR 1.05 EURO) Thursday, March 8, 2012

The pride of Northern Ireland

www.newsletter.co.uk

Since 1737

Princess Anne flies in for Pony Club first P13

The Best man to lead Ireland SPORT

Threat to last major RUC link
ULsTer policings last major link to the rUC will be lost forever if a police sporting body votes to change its historic name. Later this month, members of the rUC athletic association (rUC aa) will vote on whether their name should be changed to remove the reference to the royal Ulster Constabulary. The proposal has outraged many former rUC officers the row taking a new twist on Tuesday when a PsnI assistant Chief Constable sent a letter to rUC aa members urging them to support the name change. Both the news Letter and TUV leader Jim allister have been contacted by members of the association who say they are extremely angry that the sporting body a private organisation largely funded by members subscriptions should be forced to fall into line with the PsnIs title and symbolism. Turn to page 12

Ferry and vessel in lough collision

BY REBECCA BLACK
r.black@newsletter.co.uk

Passengers on a Liverpool to Belfast ferry had a lucky escape last night after it collided with a cargo ship at the entrance to Belfast Lough. They were told to don lifejackets and prepare for an emergency evacuation after the terrifying incident. almost 100 people were on the ferry at the time of the collision. no injuries were reported. One woman who had been on board said she had been sitting in her cabin when she heard a massive bang. Then all the sirens went and we went downstairs and we were all issued with lifejackets and told to prepare to get off in the raft, she said. I was scared, but the staff were great, very good. They put us all at ease. Cahill Loughran, who was on board with his son, said passengers had been warned they might have to evacuate on to the emergency raft. However, the ferry was able to make its way into Belfast Harbour unaided with all its passengers on board. The stena Feronia which operates between Belfast and Birkenhead in Liverpool was involved in a collision with the Union Moon cargo ship at the Fairway Buoy at the mouth of Belfast Lough.

Tributes to blaze victim

a BaLLyMOney man who died in a house fire along with his pet dog has been described as a big character. albert Kane, 64, died after a blaze engulfed his home on the Bush road between Ballymoney and Dervock on Tuesday night. The fire was discovered by a neighbour who woke when his own home began to fill with smoke. See page 6

The damage caused to cargo ship Union Moon is clearly visible after it was involved in a collision with a passenger PICTURE: Steven McAuley/Kevin McAuley Photography ferry at the entrance to Belfast Lough last night There were 51 passengers and 47 crew on board the ferry which was able to make its way into port immediately. It had been on its 10.30am sailing from Birkenhead, while the tanker was sailing from Belfast. The Union Moon was assessed at sea last night. The Maritime and Coastguard agency (MCa) said it was also due to be brought into Belfast Port. Dramatic pictures last night showed damage to the front of the cargo ship. Turn to page 12

Memorial for tragic sappers

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