26/01/2015

Other News In Brief

Teen Charged Over Attempted Hijacking

A teenager has been charged with a number of offences following an attempted hijacking in Dunmurry, Co Antrim.

In the early hours of Sunday morning (25 January), two teenagers, one of whom was armed with a machete, attempted to force a taxi driver out of his car in the Cutts area.

Police have said the driver picked up the two passengers in Divis Street, west Belfast at around 4.45am.

The two teenagers, aged 16 and 18, were arrested a short distance away from the scene of the attempted hijacking.

The 16-year-old has since been released on bail, while the 18-year-old has been charged with a number of offences He is due to appear at Lisburn Magistrates' Court in February.

MOT Discs No Longer Need To Be Displayed

From 6 April, motorists will no longer need to display a Vehicle Test 'MOT' disc on vehicles.

Motor vehicles, goods vehicles and buses will still need to go through their respective vehicle tests, but test certificate will no longer include a vehicle test disc.

Commenting on the change, Minister Durkan said: "I feel it is appropriate at this time to remove the need to display test discs on all vehicles in Northern Ireland, including goods vehicles and buses.

"A number of developments have made this possible including the introduction of Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN), provision of vehicle test reminders, and telephone and online booking."

Security Alert Closes Railway Line

The railway line between Belfast Central and Bangor has been closed due to a security alert at the Titanic Quarter stop.

The alert has also closed the Sydenham Bypass in both directions, with traffic being diverted. Traffic for the City Airport is being facilitated from Tillysburn.

It is understood a suspicious object was discovered, prompting the alert.

In a separate incident, police in L'Derry have said John Street has been closed due to a security alert.

(JP/MH)

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