Other News In Brief

Appeal Following Castlereagh Road Robbery

Police are appealing for information following a report of an armed robbery at a restaurant in the Castlereagh Road area of East Belfast.

At around 10.30pm on Wednesday (26 February), a man is said to have entered a fast food outlet in the area. He then produced a knife and threatened a member of staff as well as demanded money. The staff member was not injured in the incident.

Detectives have said the man, described as being 5'11" to 6" tall and of muscular build, made off with a sum of cash and a number of bottles of alcohol. He was wearing a grey coloured hooded top and dark coloured bottoms. He also had a grey coloured scarf which covered his face.

After fleeing the premises, he is thought to have made off on foot in the direction of Isoline Street.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 0845 600 8000 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

New Lagan College Building Opens

Education Minister John O'Dowd has attended the official opening of Lagan College's new school building.

The £25m capital investment is part of the Public Private Partnership project.

Commenting, Minister O'Dowd said: "The school has come a long way since its humble beginnings in 1981 when 28 pupils were educated in a Scout Hall. I am sure that none of them could have imagined that over 30 years later around 1,250 pupils would attend the school and they would be housed in this wonderful state-of-the-art building.

"The new school building provides a wonderful environment for the current pupils and future generations to develop and learn in.

"My predecessor, Caitríona Ruane attended the sod cutting here in March 2011 and it is clear that a great deal of time and effort has been invested in the intervening period to bring this project to fruition.

"I would like to thank all who have been involved with the process to reach the stage where the school has opened its doors.

"I wish the whole school community all the very best for the future as a new era in its history begins."

Four Charged With Drugs Offences

A 37-year-old man and 39-year-old woman have been charged with conspiracy to supply a class B controlled drug, converting criminal property, possession of a class B controlled drug and possessing a class B controlled drug with intent to supply.

They are expected to appear before Belfast Magistrates Court today (27 February).

The charges are in connection with the seizure of herbal cannabis with an estimated street value of £450,000 from a property in East Belfast by officers from PSNI Organised Crime Branch earlier this week.

In a separate incident, two men, aged 50 and 68, have been charged with several offences including possession of a class B controlled drug, being concerned in the supply of a class B controlled drug and possessing criminal property. They are due to appear at Derry Magistrates Court on Thursday 27 February.

A 20-year-old man was released on police bail pending further enquiries.

It is understood the charges are in connection with the recovery of a quantity of suspected class B drugs with an estimated street value of £150,000 in the Waterside area of Derry on Tuesday evening.

(JP/MH)