Other News In Brief

O'Neill Renews Call For Immediate Restoration Of Stormont

First Minister Designate Michelle O'Neill has renewed a call for the immediate restoration of the Northern Ireland Executive, stating that "the public want and deserve the Executive they voted for to support them through the crises in health and cost of living and build a better future for all".

Michelle O'Neill said: "The negotiation between the EU and the British government has concluded.

"The Brexit Joint Committee meets this Friday to adopt the deal into EU law and we move on to the implementation stage. 

"The onus is on the British and Irish governments and all parties – not least the DUP to now get Stormont moving.

"It's time to move forward. We need to see the Assembly and Executive working now to address the problems in our health service and deliver for business, for workers and families.

"We now have unprecedented economic opportunities to strengthen our economy and create more and better jobs.

"Further blocking the formation of an Executive will only deepen the chaos caused by Brexit and discourage international investors.

"Our people and our economy can't wait. We need stability and we need to see the Executive in place without any further delays.

"Sinn Féin stands ready to form that Executive today and deliver for workers and families.

"The public have been punished for long enough by this futile and shameful DUP blockade.

"The people want and deserve the Executive they voted for to support them through cost of living, to help fix the health service and build a better future for all our people."

Appeal For Information On Armagh ATM Theft

The PSNI have issued an appeal for information following another attempted ATM theft in Armagh in the early hours of this morning, Wednesday, 22nd March.

Inspector Steven Weatherald said: "We received a report at around 12.15am that an ATM machine in the Killylea Road area had been damaged.

"It is reported three masked men had approached the ATM and attempted to force it open. They then made off in a silver coloured vehicle.

"Enquiries are ongoing to establish if anything has been taken.

"Enquiries are at an early stage and we would appeal to anyone who may have witnessed anything suspicious or who may have captured dashcam or other footage in the area to contact them on 101 quoting reference number 21 22/03/23 .

"A report can be made using the online reporting form via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport. Information can also be provided to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org."

Alliance Calls For Introduction Of 'Harry's Law'

Alliance Education Spokesperson, Connie Egan, has called for the introduction of 'Harry's Law' to end seclusion in Schools.

Alliance Education Spokesperson Connie Egan MLA made the call following the announcement of the Department of Health's introduction of a regional policy setting out the expectations for minimising the use of restrictive interventions, restraint and seclusion in health and social care settings.

The policy around the use of restrictive practices in health and social care settings was set out by the Department of Health on Monday (20 March). It states that no child or young person should ever be shut in a room alone and prevented from leaving.

Welcoming the announcement, Ms Egan has called for the introduction of legislation to also prevent practices of seclusion from being used in educational settings as well.

"This announcement from the Department of Health is welcome news, but we urgently need to see the end of similar practices within our school system," she said.

"As it stands, the Department of Education has only issued interim guidance for schools, recommending that any restrictive practice should only be used as a last resort.

"However, we need to go beyond this and ensure that seclusion is banned in schools and our children are afforded greater protection.

"Alliance is committed to the introduction of 'Harry's Law' to end the use of seclusion in schools, and to ensure there is appropriate recording and monitoring of the use of restraint, in line with its place as an intervention of last resort.

"These measures must also be supported by training for staff in trauma-informed ways to predict, prevent, and de-escalate pupil distress behaviours.

"We urgently need to see the strengthening of the law, in order to provide greater levels of protection for children in educational settings."