Other NI News In Brief

Rose For A Rose

Miss Northern Ireland, Finola Guinnane, takes a walk on the wild side as launches the annual Rose Week and the Belfast International Rose Trials, which take place at Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park from Wednesday 13 - Sunday 17 July. Anyone seeking further information on all the events taking place should visit: www.belfastcity.gov.uk/roseweek

Republican Boss Lifted

The President of Republican Sinn Fein Des Dalton is due in court in Craigavon later charged with organising and participating in an illegal parade. He has been charged along with another [unnamed] man, aged 39, over a parade in Lurgan, Co Armagh, on 23 January. BBC NI reported today that he had been stopped in his car on the way to a republican prisoners protest rally in the town yesterday.

Police Hoax Condemned

Local Alliance representatives have condemned the security alert at Strandtown Police Station in East Belfast which has been declared a hoax. Naomi Long MP said: "This security alert has caused disruption to people living in the area as well as those trying to get home from work." Judith Cochrane MLA said: "The people behind this security alert have wasted valuable police resources and time. A lot of officers had to deal with this incident instead of solving other crimes", and Chris Lyttle MLA said: "It has caused a large amount of stress to people in the local community especially those who were unable to get to their homes for a number of hours. People are just trying to get on with their daily lives and do not need this disruption." Also commenting, Cllr Laura McNamee said: "If anybody has any information about this security alert then they should contact the police. The people behind this security alert must be apprehended to stop future incidents."

Farmers Get Free Oil Uplift

A free waste oil collection service for farmers right across Northern Ireland has been launched by Emerald Isle Recycle of Randalstown, Co Antrim. Rather than pay 10p a litre to have waste oil removed and safely disposed off to meet EU cross compliance regulations farmers are now availing of this free service. Roy Livingston at Emerald Isle Recycle said: "All we ask is that oil is stored in 40 gal, 200 litre, drums with a minimum collection of one drum per farmyard. As long established farm plastic recycling specialists using the Solway bin and liner system we have the expertise, experience and equipment to handle a huge range of waste materials. Now our service has been expanded to offer farmers across Northern Ireland this money saving and reliable waste oil disposal service," he said noting that Emerald Isle Recycle has close links with the Ulster Farmers Union and an excellent reputation for ensuring farm inspectors have full details of waste collection dates, volumes and types of material.

SF Applaud Suicide Focus

A Sinn Fein MLA for West Belfast, Jennifer McCann, has welcomed the commitment from the NI Health Minister to safeguard the funding for suicide prevention services. The Minister made the announcement following a visit to Suicide Awareness and Support Group in West Belfast. "The work these groups carry out on the ground is invaluable. However we must also see a wider approach taken to the issue of suicide. These groups cannot operate and tackle the problem on their own," she said.

PSNI Seek Robbery Help

Police in north Belfast are appealing for information after an armed robbery at business premises at the Alliance Avenue area earlier this week. It happened on Monday, 4th July, shortly before 4.15pm when it was reported that a male wearing a hooded top entered a shop armed with two knives. A sum of money was taken from the premises, with one member of staff threatened during the incident. There were no reports of any injuries. Anyone who has any information about the incident is asked to contact Tennent Street CID on 0845 600 8000. Callers who would prefer to provide information without giving their details can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers and speak to them anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Sex Offenders In Focus

Justice Minister David Ford has this week launched a consultation on proposals to reform and strengthen the law on sex offender notification. Also included in the consultation is a proposal to introduce violent offender orders into Northern Ireland, which would allow the courts to place restrictions on violent offenders returning to the community. "We are constantly looking at ways to make communities safer, and that includes reducing the risk to the public of further sexual attacks by individuals who have already committed sexual offences and are therefore known to the police," said the Minister. "The sex offender notification requirements already play a large part in the drive to reduce reoffending. These new proposals aim to increase their effectiveness. The law will also be reformed, in light of a recent Supreme Court judgment, to include a review process for offenders who have indefinite notification periods. However, public protection remains the prime objective and the police will not discharge the obligation to notify if the offender continues to pose a risk."

(BMcC/GK)