Other News In Brief

Lord Mayor Urges People To 'Buy Local And Support City Businesses'

Belfast Lord Mayor Alderman Frank McCoubrey has urged people to "buy local and support city businesses" while continuing to shop safely this Christmas season.

As the city prepares to turn on its Christmas lights, Alderman McCoubrey said: "As we look ahead to the festive season, our energy is focussed on reminding people to stay safe while doing all that we can to support businesses in challenging times.

"Our retail heart remains open, and businesses have worked hard to put measures in place to help keep staff and customers safe, so that people can have an enjoyable shopping experience.

"This weekend, the city will officially light up for Christmas and over the coming days, shop windows will be transformed with festive displays to make shoppers' experience extra special, and to show that Belfast believes in Christmas.

"I would encourage people to consider shopping local to support local jobs and livelihoods – but please remember to do it safely. When you are out and about in the city, it's important that everyone follows the public health advice: wash or sanitise hands often, wear a face covering and practise social distancing. We all have an important role to play in helping to stop the spread of Covid19."

Council has installed signage across the city centre, reminding people of the public health messages, and many shops and businesses are displaying a ‘confidence mark' to reassure customers that measures are in place to help keep people safe. Hand sanitising stations have also been installed at various points throughout the city centre.

Appeal For Information Following Co Antrim Robbery

Police have issued an appeal for information following a robbery from a delivery van in Co Antrim early this morning.

It is understood that three masked me robbed a delivery van on a filling station forecourt on the Antrim Road at 7.15am this morning.

The men threatened the van's driver, who is said to have been left "extremely traumatised". They fled the scene with a quantity of cigarettes, tobacco and filters.

The men's getaway vehicles, a red van and a white car, were later discovered on fire at a vacant property on the Ballyrobin Road, Templepatrick.

Police have appealed to anyone who may have been at the filling station, or in the area, and in particular any drivers with dashcams, to contact them.

Thomas McCabe Captured And Returned To Prison

Thomas McCabe, a convicted murder who has been on the run for nearly three years, has been captured and returned to HMP Maghaberry.

Following a number of breaches McCabe's (56) license was revoked in January 2018 but police were unable to locate him and he had been on the run since.

Following a new public appeal in August, Gardaí captured McCabe and he was later extradited.