Other News In Brief

New Regional Mental Health Crisis Service Announced

A new regional Mental Health Crisis Service has been announced by Health Minister Robin Swann, as part of his commitment in the Mental Health Action Plan (MHAP).

The new regional crisis service has been developed together with the authors of the review, and reflects the recommendations in the review. The policy outlines what the crisis service will look like and provides 10 actions to make this a reality.

Minister Swann said: "Crisis services exist to provide support to some of the most vulnerable patients in a very difficult time of their lives. It is accepted that crisis services in Northern Ireland are in need of reorganisation and reform.

"The new regional crisis service in Northern Ireland seeks to provide a regional approach to mental health crisis, where people get care and treatment when they need it, where they need it. It is a policy that focusses on the needs of the person rather than the system, and is a new direction for crisis services."

SF Condemn Alleged Loyalist Intimidation

Sinn Féin has condemned alleged loyalist intimidation, after images appeared of masked men parading through Dungannon Park as an attempt to "intimidate and mark territory".

Sinn Féin MP Michelle Gildernew said: "The masked men patrolling through Dungannon Park is nothing short of intimidation and an attempt to mark territory.

"Pictures of this was shared on social media with racist captioning and I would condemn this outright. There can no absolutely no place for racism, xenophobia or any form of discrimination in our society.

"I would appeal for calm and call on those in positions of influence in political unionism to demonstrate measured and responsible leadership before someone is killed or seriously injured by loyalist criminal gangs and the PSNI must do all its power to ensure there is no repeat of this intimidation."

Alliance 'Disappointed But Not Surprised' By Ryanair Announcement

Alliance have said that they are "disappointed but not surprised" that Ryanair are to cease operations at local airports by the end of October.

The airline, which only recommenced flights at Belfast City Airport in May, currently flies to routes including Krakow and Milan from Belfast International Airport.

Economy spokesperson and East Antrim MLA Stewart Dickson, said: "This decision will have a real impact for local passengers, both holidaymakers and commuters, and will be hugely disappointing for the aviation and travel industries, who have had to bear the brunt of the pandemic's worst effects for over a year now.

"Whilst disappointing, this has not come as a surprising news because Ryanair has quite the track record for leaving airports in the lurch when purse strings tighten. In 2010, they pulled out of the City Airport over a dispute about runway size.

"As the aviation and travel industries look to recover from the pandemic, and passengers resume travel, Northern Ireland requires direct, convenient, and competitive national and international access. I hope the gaps Ryanair's departure will leave can be filled quickly by other providers, but in the meantime my thoughts are with the staff affected and the passengers inconvenienced."