Other News In Brief

Councillor Condemns City Centre Attack

Adam Newton DUP Councillor Belfast City Council has described the attack on an elderly man in Belfast City Centre by a number of thugs as despicable.

Mr Newton said: “The victim is believed to be into his 60s and is confirmed as being assaulted by a gang of younger men. This is a contemptible and cowardly act that deserves total condemnation.

"Belfast is attempting move on from the days of extreme violence, to put the bad days behind and wants to become a leading European city; this type of violent incident hampers progress in the city.

"I hope the elderly victim makes a speedy and full recovery. Anyone with even the smallest piece of information should contact the PSNI."

Resurfacing Works Due To Commence

Roads Service is due to commence work in preparation for the resurfacing of two stretches of the A29 Moy Road, Armagh from north of Blackwatertown Road to near Knockaconey Road and from south of Corrigan Hill Road to south of Charlemont Road.

The improvements will provide new surfacing to the carriageways and where necessary the drainage and hard shoulders will also be improved. Works begin on Monday 28 May and will be carried out concurrently on both stretches of road in order to minimise traffic disruption and to reduce their duration. The work is due to finish in early July.

In order to facilitate the works and ensure the safety of workers and the public, a lane closure for traffic travelling in a southerly direction from Moy to Armagh is required.

Bring fivers back to our ATMs - Dallat

SDLP East Derry MLA John Dallat has renewed his call to bring back the fiver to cash machines.

Mr Dallat claims that the swingeing cuts in benefits brought in via the Tory-led coalition’s welfare reforms mean that customers need every penny that is due to them and this is not possible because many ATMs pay only £20 or £10 denominations but none paying out fivers.

"In Scotland there is a concerted effort to dispense £5 notes and this is being encouraged by the Bank of England which has overall responsibility for legal tender in the UK.

"In many cases the availability of a fiver may mean getting food, paying for electricity or being able to afford public transport is that bit easier until the next pay day.

"Banks in the North make lucrative profits out of the distribution of their own notes. They have, in effect, free money as a result of agreements with the Bank of England but they are failing to provide a service to those in greatest need who have more than a fiver in their accounts but cannot avail of it.

"I intent to write to the Bank of England seeking an undertaking from Northern Ireland based banks that they will dispense the range of notes including fivers."

(CD)