Other News In Brief

Appeal For Information On Balliderry Burglary

The PSNI have issued an appeal for information and witnesses in relation to a report of a burglary at a house in the Crumlin Road area of Ballinderry.

It was reported at around 4.10pm on Wednesday 19 April that three men broke a window at the back of a house to gain entry and rummage through the house before making off in the Drumart Crescent direction. It is not believed that anything was taken.

Enquiries are ongoing, and detectives are appealing to anyone who was in the area at the time, and noticed any suspicious activity, or who may have any information which may assist them, to get in touch.

A black BMW vehicle is believed to have been in the area at the time and detectives are particularly keen to speak to anyone who was travelling in this car, or who may have seen it.

The number to call is 101, quoting reference number 1299 of 19/04/23. You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org/.

Antrim Village Set For Carriageway Improvements

Roadworks have been announced for the County Antrim village of Ahoghill.

The carriageway and footway resurfacing works will take place on the A42 Portglenone Road/Ballymena Road and The Diamond, extending for a distance of approximately 1km.

Work will begin on Tuesday 09 May and run until Friday 18 August.

To facilitate the footway resurfacing it will be necessary to operate temporary traffic control between the hours of 9.15am and 6pm, Monday to Friday. The footway works are scheduled to be completed by 08 July 2023.

Road closures will be implemented when the carriageway works on the Portglenone Road/Ballymena Road and The Diamond commence at the end of July 2023. Details of these closures and associated diversion routes will be confirmed at a later date.

Local access for residents and emergency services will be maintained at all times. Road users are advised to allow extra time for their journey and to follow the alternative route which will be clearly signed on the approaches to the works.

Extended Schools Programme Cuts 'Savage' – SF

Sinn Féin have described cuts to the Extended Schools Programme as "savage".

MLA Pat Sheehan has said that the cuts, a result of Tory budget decisions, are deeply unacceptable and called for the Executive to be formed to help protect public services.

The party's education spokesperson said: "School principals have been informed today that funding for Extended Schools is being slashed by 75% and the programme axed at the end of June.

"This is totally unacceptable and is the latest in a number of savage Tory attacks on our children and young people's education.

"The Extended Schools programme was in place to support children and young people who are most disadvantaged with their learning and helped deliver schemes such as Breakfast Clubs and extracurricular activities.

"Children must be supported in school to have the best start in life, but instead they are paying the price for the failure of one party to work together in the best interests of all our people.

"I will make our opposition to these cruel and callous cuts clear to the Department of Education and again reiterate the need for a local education minister to take decisions in Budgets, not unelected Tory ministers in London.

"We need the Executive restored and parties working together to deliver for communities and protect our public services from these cruel Tory policies."