Other News In Brief

Construction Work Begins On Road Improvement Project In Newry

Construction work has begun on a road improvement project in Newry.

Work on the £300,000 scheme is taking place on the Newry Road between Mayobridge and Hilltown and is expected to be completed in eight to 10 weeks.

The work will improve the road alignment and increase visibility for traffic exiting the junctions.

Road closures will be required towards the end of the project to facilitate final resurfacing works and the dates for these will be confirmed closer to the time.

SDLP Calls On Statutory Bodies To Take Responsibility For Tackling Mental Health

SDLP North Belfast Councillor Paul McCusker has called on statutory bodies to take responsibility for tackling the crisis of mental health and addiction.

He said: "It is indefensible that the maximum number of beds for patient detox, funded by the Belfast Trust, is six. With the crisis of mental health and addiction increasing daily, with 9 suspected drug deaths alone in 2018, this is wholly inadequate.

"I am seriously concerned about the extreme pressure this lack of readily available support is putting on families who are caring for a loved one struggling with mental health challenges and addiction.

"Families are having to play the role of the medical crisis team, in their own homes, often with little to no support and do not know where to turn for help.

"The lack of intervention for patients struggling with dual diagnoses is wholly unacceptable, and is indicative of a broken system."

Call For Funding For Legacy Inquests To Be Released

Sinn Féin victims and legacy spokesperson Linda Dillon has said the UK government should immediately release the funding for legacy inquests and begin the consultation on the legacy mechanisms agreed at Stormont House.

She said: "It is unacceptable that these families are still denied the basic human right of an inquest, victims and survivors of the conflict should not be punished because the DUP collapsed the talks process.

"This issue should not be allowed to remain a political football.

"The British government should begin the consultation on the legacy mechanisms agreed at Stormont House while ensuring the proposed section on statute of limitations/amnesty is removed.

"They should also move immediately and release the money requested by the Lord Chief Justice for legacy inquests."

(CD/MH)