Other News In Brief

Appeal For Information After Men In Suits Damage Number Of Parked Cars

The PSNI have issued an appeal for information after a group of men in suits reportedly damaged a number of parked cars in Newtownabbey.

At around 2am on Monday, May 2, at the Glebe Villas and Church Road, a group of five men reportedly caused damage to a number of parked cars and threw a bottle at the window of a house.

According to police, the group, who were all wearing dress suits, kicked off car wing mirrors, pulled wipers off the vehicles and dented their panels.

Anyone who was in the area at the time or has any information is asked to contact police.

Craigavon Bridge To Be Closed For Inspection Works

The Department for Infrastructure has announced that the lower deck of the Craigavon Bridge in L'Derry will be closed to carry out a scheduled inspection of the bridge.

On Tuesday 17 May 2022, the bridge will be closed to facilitate monitoring of the condition of the structure and to determine any maintenance works necessary to protect the structural integrity of the bridge.

Due to the nature of the works it will be necessary to close the A2 Craigavon Bridge lower deck and the associated slip roads while the Principal Inspection is being conducted to ensure the safety of the road user and site workers alike.

The road-closure will be in place between 17 May and 20 May 2022 from 9:30am to 3.30pm each day while the inspection works takes place.

The lower deck footway will remain open for pedestrian use during the inspection.

Diversions via Craigavon Bridge Upper will be signposted from A5 Victoria Road and from A2 Duke Street for traffic approaching the bridge from the Eastern Embankment and from A40 Foyle Street and A2 Foyle Embankment for traffic approaching the bridge from the Western Embankment.

Completion of the Inspection works is due by 20 May 2022 however, the Department will keep the public informed of any change.

Road users should expect some delays while the diversions are in place and are advised to allow additional time for their journeys. The Department would apologise for any inconvenience caused.

Paul Doherty 'Evokes The Spirit' Of SDLP Founders

The SDLP's Assembly candidate Paul Doherty "evokes the spirit of the founders of the party", Former West Belfast MP Dr Joe Hendron has said.

Dr Hendron, who also served as MLA for West Belfast and on Belfast City Council, said he could think of no better man than Mr Doherty to follow in his footsteps.

He said Mr Doherty had stepped up to help his community in their hour of need and he had no doubt he would continue to do so at Stormont.

Dr Hendron said: "Paul Doherty will be a first class community representative. Day and night he works to help the people of West Belfast with no thought for himself or the personal sacrifices he has made. When people need help he is there, whether it's a family on the Falls Road or the Shankill who need some shopping to tide them over, local school pupils in need of uniforms or gathering aid for refugees fleeing unimaginable horrors in Ukraine, Paul Doherty is there.

"He has a desire to help the community and improve the lives of people in West Belfast. That should be what inspires all who enter politics. It's why the SDLP was founded, to fight for fairness and equality for the nationalist community, whether it be in education, housing or employment opportunities, following decades of discrimination. Paul evokes that spirit, he has seen how badly people in West Belfast have been let down over the past few decades and he wants to change that.

"During my political career the success I was very lucky to enjoy came about because people in West Belfast viewed me as a cross-community representative who truly wanted to help people and cared about them and their families.

"After all these years there is still so much poverty in West Belfast. In 2022 people are still struggling to obtain decent quality housing, a good education and a well-paying job. Through his foodbank and community activism Paul Doherty has done everything he can to help people, but it's Stormont where real change can happen, where people can influence and make decisions that truly transform the lives of people in our communities.

"Paul Doherty works to make life better for families in West Belfast each and every day and I know he'll stop at nothing to be an MLA who delivers for people here."