Other News In Brief

Concern Raised Over Spate Of Burglaries In Armagh

The UUP has raised concerns over a number of burglaries in the Armagh area.

MLA Danny Kennedy said the burglaries centred around Mountnorris and Glenanne.

Mr Kennedy said: "Homes have been targeted and last night saw an attempt to break into Mountnorris Primary School.

"The local community is quite understandably very concerned at the increase in crime in their local area.

"I have contacted the Principal of the Primary School to reassure her of the full support of the local community and I have also spoken with senior police commanders to seek additional resources to stamp this activity out."

Future of St Gemma's School Site Secured

The future of the former St Gemma's School site in the Oldpark area has been secured.

Sinn Fein MLA Carál Ní Chuilín said welcomed the announcement and commended everyone involved in working to acquire the site.

She said: "In recent weeks concerns were growing due to rising levels of vandalism of the buildings and the community put a huge effort in last week to securing and repairing the site.

"Sinn Féin has made every effort in supporting the drive to have this prime site delivered to the community and there was frustration at the pace of progress given the deterioration of the school.

"There is now the very real prospect of this site, which is uniquely placed in an area of multiple need between Ardoyne and the Marrowbone becoming a central hub of community life."

MS Week 2015 Launches

Finance Minister, Simon Hamilton, has launched MS Week 2015 at Parliament Buildings in Stormont.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a life-long condition, however with the right support people with the condition can expect to live a long and fulfilling life.

Minister Hamilton said: "While Northern Ireland may have one of the highest incidences of MS in the world, research conducted by the MS Society in 2013 found that Northern Ireland is also leading the way in terms of access to some disease modifying therapies. The range of specialist drug treatment regimes for MS are routinely commissioned by the HSC Board and are available free of charge to MS patients in Northern Ireland.

"It is also encouraging to note that research conducted by the MS Society in 2014 found that people living with MS in Northern Ireland are around twice as likely to have access to a disease modifying treatment than if they lived in other parts of the UK. Significant annual investment is made every year in MS specialist drugs for patients in Northern Ireland and the current budget for this service is in excess of £10million."

(CD/MH)