Other News In Brief

UUP Welcomes Lowering Of Terrorism Threat Level In NI

The Ulster Unionist Party has welcomed the news that MI5 has reduced the terrorism threat in NI from 'SEVERE' to 'SUBSTANTIAL'.

Speaking as the announcement was made, Ulster Unionist spokesperson on policing, Mike Nesbitt MLA, said: "As Desmond Tutu said, the price of freedom is eternal vigilance and I am grateful to the security services for their tireless work to keep the people of Northern Ireland safe.

"I feel the appropriate reaction to the lowering of the threat level is "Good, but ..." The "but" being the recognition that there are still those who wish to use extreme violence to disrupt society and take life. Principally, I refer to so-called dissident republicans.

"There is also the question of the continuing presence of criminal gangs whose origins lie in loyalist paramilitary organisations. 30 years on from the loyalist ceasefires, I see no justification for their continued existence and call on self-respecting loyalists to distance themselves from the criminals in their community.

"A restored Assembly represents an opportunity to finally address the legacy of the long period of our Troubles and free individuals, families and communities from the coercive control that is still being exerted today, creating new victims in 2024."

Councillor 'Disgusted' Palestine Debate Blocked At Ards and North Down Borough Council

Green Party Councillor, Barry McKee, has expressed "disgust" following the prevention of a debate on Palestine at Ards and North Down Borough Council.

It is understood that the three biggest parties on Ards & North Down Borough Council blocked the proposed debate.

Cllr McKee said: "I'm disgusted at the lack of compassion displayed by DUP, UUP & Alliance. They demonstrated so little care for the displaced people from conflict in Gaza by running away from a debate on a motion that sought to help people in such need at this time.

"In advance of the Council meeting, I informed all Councillors of my plan to propose that Ards & North Down agree to a request from Derry City & Strabane District Council to collaborate with them, other Councils and Government Departments to facilitate and support the resettlement of Palestinian families in this Borough.

"Despite being informed in advance of my attentions, the three big parties prevented the motion from being heard, thereby missing the opportunity for our Council to show solidarity and care for people displaces by this conflict.

"Alderman Philip Smith referring to the Council staying out of international relations and this comment showed ignorance to the realities of war or conflict. Vulnerable people caught up in the atrocities in Gaza or any other conflict such as those from Ukraine, will seek a safe place to flee to and its inevitable that some will end up in our Borough. So I ask, why would we as a Council not endeavor to assist them?

"Churches, voluntary & charity organisations and our Council Officers are already working hard to integrate and offer community to newcomers to the Borough, and I had hoped that the Council could agree to work with other to do more, especially those from Palestine, in such dire need right now.

"As a Borough we welcomed people from Ukraine and the Council stood in solidarity with those effected by the war in Europe.  In Northern Ireland we know the trauma suffered by those caught up in violence but yet we are not willing to show some compassion to people of this one nation of the middle east. Alliance, DUP & UUP need to ask themselves why that is and change to make this a Borough for all not just some."

No Unauthorised Flags Removed By DoI In Over Five Years

The Alliance party has expressed its disbelief after it was confirmed that the Department of Infrastructure has not removed any unauthorised flags over the past five years.

John O'Dowd was answering a question from Alliance North Down MLA Connie Egan. He stated with an exception of 'a few banners which presented a danger to road users', no flags had been removed from street furniture in the period, despite it being an offence to attach them to structures such as lamp posts.

Ms Egan, Deputy Chair of the Assembly's Executive Office Committee, said the ongoing failure to remove unauthorised flags and emblems, particularly those in breach of the Terrorism Act, cannot be allowed to continue.

"Unfortunately the Department for Infrastructure's response to my question demonstrates the ongoing failure of the authorities to confront the placement of unauthorised and unwanted flags on public property. This is plainly illegal and is dealt with properly in neighbouring jurisdictions," she said.

"This is hard to believe, especially as there is now a specific reporting system with a dedicated phone number. Many of the flags reported will be those glorifying so-called paramilitary groups in defiance of the Terrorism Act 2000. We cannot continue to have entire communities held to ransom in this way.

"When the Department talks about a unified approach, it should not be difficult for the First and deputy First Minister to agree one which ensures the defacing of public property in contravention of that Act is dealt with swiftly."