Other News In Brief

Appeal For Information On Burglary In Lisburn

The PSNI has have issued an appeal for information following a burglary in the Montgomery Drive area of Lisburn yesterday morning (Thursday 12th May).

Detective Inspector Bell said: "Sometime between 10.00 and 10.30am, the homeowners aged in their 80s, arrived home to find that someone had been inside their property.

"Two upstairs bedrooms had been disturbed and a number of items including jewellery and cash had been taken.

"I would appeal to anyone who may have seen anyone suspicious in the area or who may have CCTV or dash-cam footage that could help with our enquiries, to contact detectives on 101 quoting reference 924 of 12/05/22."

Alternatively, information can also be provided to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 which is 100% anonymous and gives people the power to speak up and stop crime.

'Circular Conversations With No Progress' – UUP

The UUP leader Doug Beattie has said that "we cannot keep having a circular conversation with no progress being made".

Mr Beattie has called for "immediate moves" to remove checks on goods coming from Great Britain to Northern Ireland.

He continued: "The UK Government have been clear on this being the landing zone, the Irish Government and EU appear to also agree this to be the landing zone. So, the question has to be asked as to why progress is still at a standstill? I was clear when I met Simon Coveney this issue needs to be dealt with or it will continue to dominate. That requires seeing a significant change in approach from the EU negotiators.

"We have provided potential solutions; we also believe that the UK Government Command Paper offers solutions to the problems we face too. If there is serious will from the EU to resolve the problems caused by the Northern Ireland Protocol then we need to see movement from them. They had the opportunity pre-election and chose not to. In an increasingly toxic political atmosphere, it is time to see action from them."

Parents 'Feel Abandoned' By Education Minister – Alliance

Parents across Northern Ireland "feel abandoned" by the Education Minister, who has still not outlined contingency plans ahead of a planned strike by bus drivers next week, Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong has said.

Translink drivers from the Unite and GMB unions are set to walk out next week in a dispute over pay, with all Translink bus services expected to be shut down as a result. Many school pupils are due to sit GCSE, AS and A-Level exams during the period.

Ms Armstrong said: "Alliance believes in the right of workers to strike, however there are consequences which need to be thought about.

"Over a month ago, I called on Education Minister Michelle McIlveen to look ahead to this proposed strike and outline to parents her contingency plan for those pupils affected. To date, there has been nothing. Parents feel abandoned by this approach.

"The Minister needs to confirm immediately what she is going to do to help parents and pupils, particularly those scheduled to sit important exams next week. It is not acceptable for her to simply remain silent any more.

"It is unfair to expect students to be ready to sit exams if they are unable to access face to face learning. In addition, many pupils with special educational needs have transport included as part of their statement of special needs. To not provide it would be a direct failure on the part of the Department and Education Authority.

"It is unbelievable schools are having to inform parents and bear the brunt of frustrations, while the Minister stays quiet."