Other News In Brief

Alliance North Antrim MLA Patricia O'Lynn Announces Resignation

Alliance North Antrim MLA Patricia O'Lynn has announced that she will resign as an MLA on March 31 in order to take up a new role with Queen's University.

The 33-year-old was elected as North Antrim MLA in last May's Assembly Election and previously served as Councillor for Ballymena from May 2019.

She said: "It has been an honour to serve the people of North Antrim as their MLA and previously the people of Ballymena as a Councillor. My only regret is I was not able to do so in the Assembly chamber itself due to the ongoing impasse, which has proved frustrating.

"Nevertheless, it has been a privilege and I will continue representing my constituents fully while I remain in the role. I thank every person who voted for me and for Alliance locally in previous years and assure them they will continue to be represented by my successor.

"I wish to pay tribute to my Alliance colleagues, party members and also my staff, who have worked hard for people right across the constituency. There is an exciting amount of talent emerging through the North Antrim Alliance Association, which continues to grow in numbers.

"The party continues to have my full support and I look forward to supporting whoever succeeds me as MLA. The people of North Antrim proved last May they want to see Alliance's positive message of inclusion and I am confident that will continue. I look forward to supporting whoever succeeds me as MLA."

Alliance Leader Naomi Long MLA said while she was sad to see Ms O'Lynn leave the job, she had served constituents well during her short time as MLA.

"I am very sorry to see Patricia, who is both a colleague and a friend, leave her role as MLA. It is a huge loss not only to the party and the Assembly but especially for the people of North Antrim, who have lost a fearless and passionate representative on the issues that matter to them.

"It is undoubtedly a difficult and uncertain time for many in politics due to the ongoing impasse. Patricia will be hugely missed but I am confident Alliance will continue to build on its recent superb results across North Antrim and on the sterling work Patricia has carried out as an advocate for a united community there.

"On behalf of myself and the entire Alliance team, I wish her every success and happiness in her new role."

2 Royal Avenue Renovation Plans Approved

Plans to open up the rear of 2 Royal Avenue and improve the front entrance have been approved by Belfast City Council.

The Council's Planning Committee approved proposed alterations to the publicly owned, listed building, including the provision of a new structural opening with new pedestrian entrance doors, roller shutters, improved boundary treatments and minor internal renovations.

The building, formerly used by Tesco, is a two storey high Victorian sandstone B+ graded listed building. It is in a prominent position facing onto Royal Avenue and was extensively extended to the rear of the site facing onto Bank Street late last century.

The proposal will open up the rear of the building with a new pedestrian entrance. This includes removing the existing palisade fence, to be replaced with bollards.

Man Arrested After Attacking Police Officers In Antrim

A man has been arrested in connection with the assault of two police officers in Antrim on Tuesday 21 February.

The officers were responding to a disturbance in the Greenvale Manor area at around 5.45pm on 21 February. It was reported that a 38-year-old man had assaulted a man and a woman in the property.

According to reports, the suspected continued to be aggressive after police had arrived and threatened them with a knife. The officers suffered injuries as they attempted to detain the man.

The man was arrested on suspicion of numerous offences, including assault on police, common assault and possession of an offensive weapon. He remains in police custody at this time.