Other News In Brief

Belfast Lord Mayor To Host Virtual Holocaust Memorial Day

Belfast Lord Mayor Councillor Kate Nicholl will host a virtual commemoration event to mark Holocaust Memorial Day, entitled 'Confronting Hate: Lessons from Holocaust and Genocide Studies', which will be streamed via Zoom from 12noon to 1.30pm on Thursday 27 January.

Ahead of the event, Councillor Nicholl said: "Holocaust Memorial Day exists to ensure we remember and learn from the atrocities of the past.

"The day also serves to inspire us to be committed to face, oppose and expose forms of hatred, prejudice and discrimination. We each have the power to act to prevent these feelings escalating into acts of violence and hatred."

The theme for Holocaust Memorial Day 2022 is 'One Day'. On Thursday evening, the Lord Mayor will also light a candle in the Parlour to mark the annual memorial day.

New Legislation To Protect Service Dogs In NI

Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Edwin Poots has announced new legislation to protect service dogs in Northern Ireland.

The DAERA Minister said the Animal Welfare (Service Animals) Bill, also known as 'Finn's Law', had been approved by the Assembly and will become law in a few weeks' time.

Minister Poots said: "I am delighted that our highly valued service dogs will very shortly have greater protection under this new law which will prevent those who attack or injure service animals from claiming self-defence and, thereby, exempting themselves from prosecution for causing unnecessary suffering to an animal," he said.

"I take the welfare of these brave animals very seriously and believe this law change, which brings us in line with the rest of the UK, will act as a serious deterrent to those who think that they can harm these animals without repercussion."

Minister Poots also thanked the Assembly parties for supporting the new legislation.

"I am grateful that this important Bill received substantial cross-party support enabling it to pass swiftly and speedily. It is very important that the Assembly has sent out this message that Northern Ireland is united against animal cruelty and ensured that parity is maintained with the rest of the UK."

The new legislation will apply to service animals while they are on active duty in Northern Ireland and will include dogs used by the PSNI, the Northern Ireland Prison Service, Belfast Harbour Police, Belfast International Airport Constabulary and the Ministry of Defence Police.

£300,000 Revitalisation Funding Awarded In Coleraine

The Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has announced funding of £300,000 for a revitalisation scheme in Coleraine.

The Minister has awarded funding to Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council to deliver a revitalisation scheme which will be used to enhance shop frontages, including replacement signage and painting, replacement of rainwater goods and repairs to render and brickwork.

Minister Hargey said: "This £300k investment is a welcome boost for Coleraine. It will contribute to the long-term economic viability of this busy town and will complement previous revitalise schemes carried out in the Waterside and Railway Road areas. This investment will help local businesses improve their shop facades making town centre shopping in Coleraine more appealing. Through projects like these, my Department continues to help support our town and city centres as they continue the process of economic recovery."