Other News In Brief

Two People Arrested In Connection With Whiterock Weapons Find

Two people have been arrested in connection with an investigation into a weapons find.

A 31-year-old man and 33-year-old woman were arrested in Whiterock earlier today, under the Terrorism Act on suspicion of dissident republican activity.

Police said that the arrests were made in connection with a weapons discovery in the Rodney Drive area earlier this month.

The arrests today were made following the search of two properties , during which "a number of items were seized and will be sent for forensic examination including a small quantity of suspected Class B drugs".

The suspects have been taken to Musgrave Serious Crime Suite for questioning.

Latest Round For Coastal Community Fund Open For Applications

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has announced that Round 5 of the Coastal Communities Fund (CCF) in Northern Ireland is now open for applications.

The aim of the CCF is to support the economic development of UK coastal communities by promoting sustainable economic growth and jobs, so that people are better able to respond to the changing economic needs and opportunities of their area.

Denis McMahon, Permanent Secretary of the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs said: "I am pleased that coastal communities within NI have the opportunity to benefit from the CCF in this further round. The Department's aim is to have a living, working, active landscape, valued by everyone. The Fund will help us to achieve that by supporting proposals from a range of stakeholders that promote economic growth in coastal areas so that they can adapt to changing economic circumstances.

"I would encourage anyone from a coastal community, who may have an interest in applying, to attend one of the planned outreach events over the next two weeks to discuss proposals with officials to ensure that applications are eligible and stand a good chance of success in the competitive process for the funding."

The Department is also holding information events on the following dates:

• Tuesday 04 December, 3pm and 7pm in Market House, The Square, Ballynahinch.

• Wednesday 05 December, 3pm and 7pm in the Ecos Visitor and Conference Centre, Ballymena.

• Thursday 06 December, 2pm in Dundonald House, Upper Newtownards Road, Dundonald, Belfast.

Interested parties are invited to attend to learn more about the support available, application process and, if appropriate, to discuss their proposals with officials.

The minimum and maximum levels of grant available under Round 5 are £50,000 and £100,000 respectively.

Sinn Féin Describe It As 'Inconceivable' Anyone Would Vote Against Citizen Rights

Sinn Féin has described it as "inconceivable" that anyone would vote against measures to ensure the rights of citizens were protected from Brexit.

MEP Martina Anderson said: "Amid all the discussion about the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement serious concerns remain about how Brexit will impact our rights.

"Sinn Féin brought an amendment to a motion in the Dáil to highlight our concerns about the undermining of rights as a result of Brexit, concerns shared by many rights groups north and south.

"Bizarrely, Donegal TD Thomas Pringle voted against that motion, siding instead with the Fine Gael government.

"It is inconceivable that a deputy from a border area with so many cross-border workers and businesses would actively oppose steps to ensure rights are protected.

"We have enough problems with the Tories trying to undermine our rights without locally elected representatives doing their work for them.

"I would challenge Deputy Pringle to explain to the people living along the border why he voted against steps to guarantee their rights."