Other News In Brief

Police Appeal For Witnesses To Incident In Coleraine

The PSNI have issued an appeal for information and witnesses after criminal damage was caused to a house in Coleraine.

Police received a report at approximately 10.55pm on Thursday, 23rd May that damage had been caused to the front of a house in the Hendra Court area.

On arrival, officers observed that the front window of the property had been damaged, as well as a front door window panel which had been smashed.

Detective Inspector Lavery said: "Thankfully, a woman who was inside the house at the time of the attack was uninjured – but left understandably shaken by what happened.

"The investigation is at an early stage and enquiries are ongoing to determine exactly what happened, who was involved, and a motive.

"We are asking anyone who may have noticed anything suspicious in the Hendra Court area yesterday evening shortly after 10.30pm and before 10.45pm, to make contact with police.

"Enquiries are ongoing this morning and the number to call is 101 quoting reference number 1919 23/05/24 if you have any information including dash-cam, mobile, CCTV or other footage that could help with the investigation.”

SDLP Announced Colin McGrath As Candidate For South Down

The SDLP has announced the selection of Colin McGrath MLA as its candidate for South Down in July's Westminster election.

Mr McGrath is the SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson and has represented communities in South Down for 19 years as a councillor and MLA. He is a qualified youth worker and has supported young people from all communities to reach their fullest potential.

Colin McGrath said: "For me this election is about two big missions - fighting for South Down and fighting against the Tory government that has attacked public services, public sector workers, and hard pressed households for 14 years.

"South Down has had seven years where our voice and our vote hasn't counted at Westminster. So while the Tory government has been crushing our communities with austerity, demeaning victims and survivors with the shameful legacy act and sending weapons to destroy communities in Gaza, people in South Down haven't been able to register our Opposition. After seven years of silence, we now have six weeks to find our voice again.

"I know the people of South Down. I have lived here all my life, I have worked to support generations of young people to reach their potential and I have had the honour of being an elected representative for 19 years. If people in our communities back me to be our new MP, my first action will be to vote against the Tory government in their name.

"We have so much potential - this is one of the most outstandingly beautiful and environmentally rich parts of our island and we can deliver so much more for the people who live here. I feel privileged to be the SDLP's candidate and I would be honoured to be South Down's MP."

SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood said: "In this constituency, the stakes couldn't be higher. We know just how important the decisions made at Westminster are for people, public services, and local communities. The people of South Down know they have been left without a say for too long. Colin is an outstanding candidate who will give people their voice back.

"We now have a huge opportunity to get rid of this Tory government. Colin will cast the vote of the people of South Down for a new kind of government, more investment in public services and a better deal for people in every community."

DUP Funding Announcement 'Cautiously Welcomed' By Alliance

The Alliance Party's Early Years and Childcare spokesperson, Kate Nicholl MLA, has "cautiously welcomed" an announcement from the Minster of Education on interim support for childcare.

The South Belfast MLA has highlighted the approach taken by the Minister, in developing a subsidy scheme as opposed to implementing a free hours model for childcare, as a significant change in policy from the DUP.

Speaking following the announcement from the Minister, Ms Nicholl said: "The proposals on childcare brought by the Minister are far from perfect, but the subsidy scheme represents a significant shift in DUP policy and shows the influence Alliance has had in the development of childcare support schemes. This is a positive first step.

"Our childcare paper, Children First, sets out proposals for an Affordable Childcare Scheme that would operate through government payments to registered childcare providers and limit the costs paid by parents. This was very much inspired by the work of Employers for Childcare and I want to pay tribute to their work.

"We have also engaged with officials within the Department of Education and the Minister around the perils of the free hours model, and worked hard to convince them on the benefits and value of it. It is positive to see that Alliance influence is at the fore of the proposals brought by the Minister today.

"However, I am concerned there isn't a significant enough focus on tackling poverty within these proposals. Research has highlighted how childcare can play a key role in addressing disadvantages, and I want to make sure that it's prioritised by the Minister in the development of childcare support.

"While many parents will be relieved to finally see movement on childcare support from the Minister, I want to be clear that pre-school is not childcare.

"There remains significant work to do and I will continue to hold the Minister to account for the gaps in his proposals, ensuring that his proposals truly deliver for parents, the sector, and most crucially of all, our children."