Other News In Brief

Over 200,000 People Follow PSNI On Facebook

The community is getting involved with local policing more than ever with over 200,000 people following the Police Service of Northern Ireland's social networking pages.

This new milestone across the organisation's Facebook pages and Twitter accounts has enabled police all over Northern Ireland to maintain a direct link to the communities they serve.

Chief Inspector Bobby Singleton said: "In 2009 we set up the social media pilot project for the PSNI because of Facebook and Twitter's emerging popularity as engagement tools. This began with just two corporate blogging sites followed by our own Facebook and Twitter pages.

"We are delighted to see that exactly four years on we now have 35 Facebook pages and 28 Twitter accounts, mainly connected to Neighbourhood Policing Teams across Northern Ireland, with over 200,000 followers."

Former GAA President Paddy McFlynn Dies

SDLP Patsy McGlone has said he is deeply saddened by the death of former GAA President Paddy McFlynn.

Mr Flynn said: "I was deeply saddened to learn of the death of Paddy McFlynn, originally from Magherafelt, who served with distinction as President of the GAA between 1979 and 1982.

"He held the office at an extremely difficult time and managed to promote the sport in a way which we should all be very grateful for.

"As a founding member of the O’Donovan Rossa GAA in Magherafelt, Derry at the age of 16 he was very well regarded in this area. In total Paddy gave 80 years of volunteer service to the association which demonstrated his true passion for the game. My own father knew and admired him a great deal.

"The outstanding leadership Paddy showed during his time as President and in the years that followed leaves a lasting legacy to the game. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this sad time; ar lámhdheis Dé go raibh sé."

Affordable Childcare Framework Launches

Junior Minister Jonathan Bell has launched the new affordable Childcare strategic framework, Bright Start.

The framework includes £10m of actions creating up to 8,000 affordable Childcare places across Northern Ireland.

Mr Bell ‎said: "The announcement sets out an ambitious plan of significant investment and expansion creating thousands of good quality and affordable Childcare places. Many parents have shared their frustrations at the cost of Childcare and inflexibility of existing provision. I have worked to address this in bringing forward these exciting proposals.

"The first key actions‎ focus on school aged provision particularly on encouraging and supporting affordable models of Childcare. Funds will be available for the rolling out of hundreds of Childcare social enterprises including in rural areas, and within the schools estate in partnership with the schools."

(CD/JP)