Other News In Brief

Paula Bradshaw Welcomes Directive On Abortion Services

Alliance MLA Paula Bradshaw has welcomed a direction from the UK Government to the Department of Health to set up full abortion services in Northern Ireland by March at the latest.

Ms Bradshaw said: "It is depressing the Secretary of State has had to intervene yet again to ensure women here are afforded the same access to reproductive health as others across the UK. It is further lamentable the Department of Health has indicated that it could take until the end of March 2022 before these services can be fully commissioned.

"The Northern Ireland Abortion and Contraception Taskforce – a multi-disciplinary group of healthcare professionals – produced a report in March 2021 with clear recommendations and have done all the heavy-lifting for the Department, providing their expertise and knowledge willingly to expedite this process.

"It is imperative this issue is now placed on the Executive's agenda and there is immediate sign-off. The last thing women here need are even further delays or the prospect of more legal action to avail of services.

"Healthcare professionals and Trust representatives, who have recently given evidence to the Health Committee at Stormont, have all indicated a fully-commissioned service is in everyone's interest, including those staff who may choose to conscientiously object, so this state of limbo can be replaced with a comprehensive framework of healthcare services provided on a stable footing."

Man Dies Swimming In Lough Melvin

A man has died after getting into trouble while swimming in a lake in County Fermanagh.

Emergency services responded to reports of a man in difficulty in the water at Lough Melvin, near the border with County Leitrim, at about 10am.

The was treated on site but was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police have said that they are not treating the death as suspicious.

SDLP Express 'Shock And Anger' Over Police Ombudsman Report

The SDLP have expressed their "shock and anger" at the revelations of the Police Ombudsman report into the murder of Belfast teenager Damien Walsh by the UDA.

West Belfast representative Paul Doherty said if the police and army had done their jobs properly then Damien could still be alive today.

Mr Doherty said the SDLP stands fully behind the Walsh family as they continue their campaign for justice.

The West Belfast representative said: "My heart goes out to the Walsh family who have fought a long campaign to establish the circumstances around Damien's killing and the investigation into his death. While this shocking report has simply confirmed what they already knew, I hope it will bring them comfort that everyone else now knows the harrowing circumstances behind his tragic murder.

"Had police done their jobs properly Damien could still be alive today. Their failure to continue surveillance of his killers, who they knew to be armed and dangerous, is inexplicable and clearly had a material impact on this brutal murder. The investigation into his murder was also totally inadequate and led to nobody ever being charged in connection with it. There was significant evidence and had this been properly pursued those behind the murder could have been apprehended. Sadly this is far from the only case of this nature, far too often we have heard of people losing their lives during the Troubles due to police failings and collusion.

"This case is yet another example of why the British Government's proposed Troubles amnesty cannot be allowed. The Walsh family deserve justice, the same as every other family who lost a loved one during our conflict. Now the Ombudsman's report has been published there should be a new investigation into Damien's murder and the circumstances surrounding it. It's the very least his family deserve."