Other News In Brief

Appeal For Information On Brookeborough Burglaries

The PSNI have issued an appeal for information following two recent burglaries in the Coalhill Road area of Brookeborough.

It was reported to police that a shed was broken into at a property sometime between 11pm on Friday, 25th March and 8am on Saturday, 26th March.

Sergeant McGowan said: "We are investigating the theft of a Twin Axle Tuffmac trailer and a number of high value items that were stolen from a shed, worth around £7,000.

"Items that were taken in this theft include two bicycles, a Viking ride-on lawnmower and a number of Husqvarna tools. We are also investigating a potential linked burglary after a Honda 3000PSI power washer valued at £2,000 was taken from a neighbouring property.

"As our enquiries continue, I would encourage other people living in the Coalhill Road and surrounding Brookeborough areas to check their properties and outbuildings for any signs of suspicious activity and to report any concerns to us on 101 quoting reference number 365 of 26/03/22."

Alternatively, you can submit a report online using our non-emergency reporting form via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/.

Green Party: Fossil Fuel Divestment Must Go Further

The Green Party NI has called for local government pensions divestment plans to go further after NILGOSC's announcement that £2.8bn of its £10bn fund has been transferred to lower-carbon investments.

Making the call, North Down candidate Rachel Woods said: "After many years of the Green Party NI campaigning on this issue, I am glad to see progress being made, especially the commitment that local government investments will be used to actively support the target of net-zero by 2050.

"However, the current proposals could go much further. NILGOSC will now divest from companies which have a revenue of over 30% from thermal coal, but there no firm prohibition on any other type of fossil fuel company.

"As some large coal mining companies are diversified companies – such as Glencore, one of the biggest coal miners in the world, which only gets about 5% of its revenue from thermal coal – they may not be covered by this divestment policy.

"In short, it's not enough. This is not a full divestment from the coal industry, or other corporations which are expanding the extraction of fossil fuels.

"It's time to end public investment in fossil fuels which are killing our planet. It's time to invest in renewables and create well-paid green jobs."

SDLP Condemn Attempted Intimidation Of Election Candidates

SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MP has condemned attempts to intimidate SDLP candidates across the North after a series of incidents saw campaigns come under attack and candidates told to leave communities.

West Belfast candidate and food bank director Paul Doherty was approached by men in the Shankill area of the city last night and told that he and his team would not be welcome and would have their campaign materials taken.

East Belfast Candidate Charlotte Carson had election posters set on fire on Cyprus Avenue last night in scenes which were attended by the Fire Service.

Strangford Candidate Conor Houston had more than 20 posters stolen in the Newtownards area at the end of last week.

Colum Eastwood MP said: "SDLP candidates are out every day serving their communities and working hard to build a better future for all our people. These attacks on our party, our candidates and our campaign are totally futile - we have come under attack from violent thugs before. We have beaten them every time. We will beat them again.

"Some people want to make this election campaign a toxic race to the bottom on protocol and identity politics. They want to stop us reaching out to the people across all our communities who are begging for help to heat their homes and feed their kids - real problems that transcend political or community background. Wherever people need help, the SDLP will be there for them. We won't back down.

"These attacks are even more outrageous because they have been committed against a new generation of leaders in our party. Paul Doherty - a food bank director feeding hundreds of families every week and delivering humanitarian aid to Ukrainian civilians. Charlotte Carson - a teacher in an integrated school with a passion for empowering young women and girls. Conor Houston - a man who has dedicated his life to reconciliation and peace building between our communities.

"Our candidates are a threat to no one but those who want to keep us all in the past. Paul, Charlotte and Conor are shattering old certainties, they are stepping up and stepping in to put people first. And they will have my support every step of the way."