Other News In Brief

Alliance Condemn Those Responsible For Omagh Arson Attack

The Alliance Party has condemned those behind an arson attack in the Winters Grove area of Omagh in the early house hours of Wednesday, 03 April.

Extensive damage was said to have been done to the inside of the property, and four people were treated for smoke inhalation

Alliance Omagh Councillor Stephen Donnelly, said: "This is a truly appalling incident and those responsible must be robustly condemned. There is no place in our community for such utterly reckless behaviour, and my thoughts are with the family who are now left to pick up the pieces.

"The residents of Winters Grove, and the broader Hospital Road area, have absolutely no interest in such senseless criminality. We can only be thankful nobody was seriously hurt, but given the scale of the damage done to the property, its clear that that could easily not have been the case.

"I would urge anyone with any information that may be useful to the PSNI in their investigations to get in touch with them, or report it anonymously via Crimestoppers."

Police Appeal For Information Following Graffiti Incidents In Lurgan

The PSNI have issued an appeal for information and witnesses after graffiti was daubed on a number of walls and premises in Lurgan.

Making the appeal, Sergeant Boyd said: "Officers received a report of criminal damage caused to commercial premises within the area of Taghenaven and Drumlin Drive on Thursday morning, 4th April.

"Two walls outside the shop had been spray painted red. Three bus stops along the Old Portadown Road had also been sprayed with red paint.

"Police also observed similar graffiti on a garage door in the Killough Gardens area and a wall in the Dingwell Park area of the town. Further damage was also caused to walls in Downshire Avenue area.

"We are keen to hear from anyone who was in these areas on Wednesday evening, 3rd April or Thursday morning, 4th April between 9pm and 7am and noticed anything suspicious, to make contact with police.

"Anyone with information who may be able to assist with our investigation or has CCTV, dash-cam or mobile footage, can contact us on 101, quoting reference 374 04/04/24."

Alternatively, you can submit a report online using the non-emergency reporting form via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/

You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org/

Causeway School Pupils Team Up For Beach Clean-Up Project

Causeway Coast and Glens Council has praised the efforts of primary three pupils from Faughanvale and Ballykelly primary schools, who teamed up for a litter pick and beach art project.

Working in partnership with the Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful campaign, the Council supported the children to work together at Magilligan beach at the end of March.

Praising the initiative, Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Council, Councillor Steven Callaghan, said: "Projects like this are excellent for building friendships and also for promoting the use of shared spaces. We want to promote our borough as open and welcoming to local residents and visitors alike.

"The P3 pupils from Ballykelly and Faughanvale have done us proud, making one of our beaches even more beautiful, whilst also having fun and developing their friendships.

"Despite nasty weather conditions, they persevered and enjoyed their time together!"

Good Relations Officer Joy Wisener added: "This project also allowed us to contribute to the TBUC Trees Programme, which is designed to provide opportunities for people to combine good relations activities and environmental initiatives, with a wider focus on learning about and caring for the environment. We're very grateful to Gareth Lamrock from Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful for his time and expertise on this project and of course to the pupils for all their hard work!"

The project received financial assistance from The Executive Office as part of the District Councils Good Relations Programme and the Together Building a United Community Strategy.