Other News In Brief

Peace-Building Event Evacuated Amid Bomb-Scare

A peace-building event at the Houben Centre on the Crumlin Road has been abandoned amid a security alert.

Irish Foreign Minister Simoan Coveney was giving an address with the centre was evacuated after a van suspected to be "loaded with explosives" was driven to the venue.

According to reports, a van was hijacked a short time earlier and driven to the centre sparking a major security alert.

It is understood that Army Bomb Disposal experts conducted a controlled explosion on the van, which has been removed for further examination.

A number of local politician were attending the event when the incident occurred.

Condemning the incident, Sinn Féin MP John Finucane said: "Reports of a van with a device being hijacked and parked outside a church and a well-used community facility are concerning and disgraceful.

"People, including an Irish government minister and other politicians, attending a Hume Foundation conference looking at moving forward and building relationships have been evacuated.

"This is a reckless sectarian attack and will cause huge disruption to the local community as Police are advising them to leave their homes.

"Those responsible are trying to drag us back, we will continue to work for the future.

"There is no place in society for this type of activity and anyone with information on this attack should immediately report it to the PSNI."

Alliance Disappointed At Lack Of Conversion Therapy Ban

Alliance have said that they are disappointed that the Assembly mandate has ended without any legal Conversion Therapy Ban.

Andrew Muir MLA said that if re-elected he will bring forward his own Private Members Bill on this issue, after recently asking the Communities Minister to outline reasons for the delay, only to be met by a range of reasons as to why no progress has yet been made.

Speaking after the finale day of the Assembly, he said: "Conversion Therapy is deeply harmful which must be outlawed without delay, but nearly a year after the Assembly voted in favour of a Ban I am bitterly disappointed we end the Assembly mandate without even a consultation being commenced on legislative proposals to criminalise these harmful practices.

"The fact that a dedicated staff resource to take forward a ban was only put in place from January 2022 just adds to concern that the focus and priority given to this does not match the urgency needed to end the harm being perpetrated.

"If the delays from the Department for Communities continue and I am elected back to the Assembly on May 5, it would be my intention to consult upon my own Private Members Bill to Ban Conversion Therapy. We cannot continue to postpone action to stop the harm being inflicted upon LGBT+ people."

BCC To Host 'Give A Tree A Home' Event On 2 April

Belfast City Council has announced another 'Give A Tree A Home' event on Saturday 2 April as part of its ongoing One Million Trees project.

The Council will be giving away free trees at the Waterworks Park from 10am- 1pm to encourage residents to plant more trees across the city.

The One Million Trees project aims to plant one million native trees across Belfast by 2035 in an effort to reduce carbon, improve air quality and reduce flooding.

Lord Mayor of Belfast Councillor Kate Nicholl spoke about the project so far and said: "The previous 'Give a tree a home' event was such a success - we got a great reaction from residents in Belfast who were so passionate about tree planting and the long-term benefits that this will create for our city.

"Each month I undertake a different Lord Mayor's challenge and this month it was all about helping to plant as many trees as possible, which is timely, as we come to the end of the planting season.

"As a Council we are committed to continuing to take the lead in tackling climate change and I would encourage young people, families and communities to join us at the Waterworks Park, pick up a sapling, plant it at home and in turn- do one wee thing to help address the climate agenda."