Other News In Brief

DCI Caldwell Attempted Murder 'Reminder Of The Evil That Still Lurks In The Shadows' – UUP

The attempted murder of DCI John Caldwell is "a reminder of the evil that still lurks in the shadows in our society", Ulster Unionist Party Leader, Doug Beattie has said.

Mr Beattie continued: "This officer was targeted while serving his community even when off-duty coaching a local football team. To shoot John in front of his child and other children is barbaric.

"News that the PSNI are pursuing a line of inquiry that the New IRA may be responsible harks back to dark days. These are regressive elements of our society who still have not got the message that they and their murderous, hate-filled agenda have been rejected.

"Those responsible are pathetic, they are a minority and they do not represent the majority of people in Northern Ireland who want peace. They must be rooted out and sent to prison for a very long time."

Appeal For Help Tracing 30-Year-Old Shannon Boyce

The PSNI have issued an appeal for help in tracing the whereabouts of 30-year-old Shannon Boyce.

Boyce was last seen on was last seen on Westminster avenue north, Belfast, at around 11:45am on Monday, February 20.

She is described as approximately 5ft10ins tall, of heavy build, with shoulder-length braided hair with purple through it.

In a Facebook post North Belfast Police wrote: "Police are concerned as to the whereabouts of 30 year old Shannon Boyce.

"Shannon is described as 5 foot 10 inches in height, heavy build with shoulder length braided hair with purple through it.

"She has facial piercings in her nose and upper lip.

"Shannon was last seen in Westminster avenue north, Belfast at around 1145 hours on Monday 20th February.

"If you have any information as to her whereabouts, please contact us on the non-emergency number of 101 and quote reference number 871 of the 22nd February 2023."

Teachers And Pupils Suffering From Lack Of Pay Offer

Teachers and pupils are suffering as the result of a failure to agree a fair pay rise, SDLP councillor Adam Gannon has said.

Councillor Gannon, who is a teacher at St Kevin's College in Lisnaskea, said that no teacher wanted to be placed in this position, but feel they have no other choice due to the failure to recognise the difficult situation facing staff.

Councillor Gannon said: "No teacher wants to be on a picket line today, we want to be in our classrooms, working with our pupils. Teaching is not a career that anyone gets into for the money, it's a vocation driven by a love of education and the chance to play a role in the lives of our young people.

"Every teacher I know regrets that this strike action is necessary, but we have seen a huge real-terms reduction in our wages over recent years. We are being impacted by the same cost of living emergency that is hurting everyone across the North and given the Department of Education and employers' attitude to our situation, with Stormont's institutions still not functioning, we see no other option to try and resolve this dispute.

"We aren't asking for the earth, all we want is fair pay and working conditions. Teaching can be a very stressful and difficult environment, but it is also one of the most rewarding professions there is. Financial pressures are forcing teachers to take on additional work and to consider leaving the profession altogether, all the while our education budget faces huge cuts due to Tory austerity.

"If we want the best for our young people then we need teachers that are motivated, engaged and not in a constant state of worry about how they will pay their bills. We also need funding that allows our pupils to reach their full potential. That's the message we are sending on the picket line today and the department and employers needs to start listening."