Other News In Brief

Appeal For Information On 'Creeper-Style Burglary' In North Belfast

One man has been arrested and one man is receiving treatment in hospital following a collision on the Ballyutoag Road, Crumlin, shortly before midnight on Wednesday 15th September.

It is understood that the collision is connected to a "creeper-style burglary" in the Deerpark Road area of north Belfast at around 9.25pm on Wednesday evening.

Chief Superintendent Davy Beck said: "A white Vauxhall Astra car was reported stolen as a result of this burglary and details of the vehicle were issued to patrol cars in the area. At 11.40pm, a police patrol spotted a car matching the description of the stolen car driving in the Mallusk area and followed from a safe distance as the car made its way from Malluskin the direction of Crumlin. Just before midnight the patrol reported that the white Astra car had left the road and rolled into a field on the Ballyutoag Road, near its junctions with Ballyutoag Hill and Seven Mile Straight.

"A 27-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of aggravated vehicle taking whilst a second man was taken to hospital where he remains receiving treatment. The office of the Police Ombudsman was subsequently notified of this incident, as is normal procedure in such incidents.

"The road has now re-opened and I would ask anyone with any information which could assist us with our investigation to contact police at Musgrave on 101 quoting reference number 1727 15/09/21. A report can also be submitted online using our non-emergency reporting form via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport. You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org."

Officials Told To 'Indefinitely Allow' All Pets To Travel From GB To NI

Officials have been instructed by Edwin Poots to to indefinitely allow all pet dogs, cats and ferrets to travel from Great Britain (GB) to NI without checks while negotiations between the UK government (UKG) and European Union (EU) continue.

The move comes after the Minister spoke to Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs George Eustice, raising a number of issues he remains concerned about, including pet travel. It also follows last week’s statement by Lord Frost to extend the overall grace periods for GB to NI trade indefinitely.

Minister Poots said: "While negotiations continue between the UKG and EU to find solutions to the currently unworkable Protocol, I am not prepared to let people travelling with pets between GB and NI deal with the ongoing uncertainty around checks and whether or not they need to vaccinate their animal for diseases that are all but eradicated here.

"I want to give much needed clarity and therefore, I have instructed my officials to indefinitely allow all pet dogs, cats and ferrets travelling from GB to NI without checks, until the negotiations are successfully concluded.

"The checking requirements I have paused are not necessary, particularly given that the last case of rabies on these islands was in 1922. I have also been particularly concerned about the impact these measures may have on travellers with assistance pets."

The Minister continued: "I will continue to press the UK Government and EU for long term solutions to the currently unworkable Protocol - on an almost daily basis, I hear from retailers, the agri-food sector, businesses both big and small, travellers and the general public about the difficulties they are facing as a result of it. This must change. They must find pragmatic, and most importantly, permanent solutions to the range of issues still outstanding."

While DAERA will not be conducting routine checks it is important to note that DAERA officials reserve the right to carry out checks if illegal activity is suspected or there are welfare concerns.

Major Roadworks Announced In Bangor

A £270,000 road improvement scheme in Bangor is due to start on Sunday 26 September, Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon has announced.

Minister Mallon said: "This significant investment on one of the busiest roads in Northern Ireland will greatly improve the strength and surface quality of this key transport link. This will benefit all who use it including businesses and residents in the area. I would like to thank the travelling public and local residents in advance for their cooperation while these much needed works are completed."

The improvement work involve the resurfacing of the Bloomfield Road Roundabout and its immediate approaches.

To complete the scheme safely traffic management measures will be in place from Sunday 26 September until Thursday 7 October 2021.