Other News In Brief

Infrastructure Minister Announces Fintona Resurfacing Scheme

A new £195,000 carriageway resurfacing scheme in Fintona will get underway on Monday, 10 June, Infrastructure Minister, John O'Dowd has announced.

The resurfacing scheme will extend from the Tattyreagh Road along Ecclesville Road and Kiln Street to the bridge near King Street, Fintona.

To facilitate the safe delivery of the scheme it will be necessary to implement a continuous road closure at Ecclesville Road from Tattyreagh Road to Mill Street/Kiln Street, between the hours of 8.00 am on Monday 10 June 2024 until 5.00 pm on Sunday 16 June 2024.

During these times, signed diversionary routes will be in place via Tattymoyle Road, Main Street/ Carnalea Road and vice versa.

The Department has programmed the work operations and traffic management arrangements to minimise inconvenience. However, while steps have been taken to accommodate local access throughout the scheme, road users should expect some delays and are advised to allow additional time when travelling in the vicinity of the works and are asked to comply with all temporary traffic restrictions.

Subject to favourable weather conditions, the works will be substantially complete by Sunday 16 June 2024, however the Department will keep the public informed of any change.

PSNI Welcomes Sentencing Of Belfast Man For Drug Offences

The PSNI have welcomed the sentencing of a 24-year-old man at Belfast Crown Court for drug offences.

Lee McAuley was arrested after a search of a property in east Belfast, in July 2023, where herbal cannabis with an estimated value of £135,000 was recovered along with a sum of cash. McCauley was also arrested in relation to an attempt to send drug packages through the post in June 2023. He was charged with a number of drug related offences and subsequently entered a guilty plea at court.

He was sentenced to two years imprisonment suspended for three years

Detective Sergeant Marks from PSNI's Organised Crime Branch said: "We will continue to robustly and proactively pursue those involved in drug supply, at all levels, arrest them and bring them before the courts."

DUP Calls For 'Strong Unionist Representation' At Westminster

It is in the best interests of Northern Ireland to see the strongest team of pro-Union MPs returned to Parliament, DUP leader Gavin Robinson has said.

He also said you will not strengthen the Union if your vote leads to further absentee MPs at Westminster.

Speaking in Londonderry where he was supporting candidates nominating in East Londonderry, Foyle, West Tyrone and Mid Ulster he said: "Having MPs who take their seats in the House of Commons matters, but so too does having Members of Parliament who will put their voice and their votes behind efforts to maintain and strengthen our United Kingdom. That desire to maximise pro-Union representation isn’t unique to Northern Ireland, but with continued attempts to break up the United Kingdom across different regions, it is a feature of politics elsewhere too.

"The DUP took action unilaterally to maximise the chances of returning pro-Union MPs in North Down and Fermanagh & South Tyrone after this election. We haven’t just talked about unionist co-operation but took action. However, there are constituencies across Northern Ireland where seats could be lost because parties will put self-interest above the wider interest.

"We witnessed the impact of vote shredding at the least Assembly election, even in an STV election where votes can transfer between candidates. The multiplicity of unionist candidates led directly to reduced unionist representation both in the Assembly chamber and around the Executive table.

"You will not strengthen the Union if your vote leads to pro-Union representation at Westminster being reduced. There is no ideological purity which overrides representation in our national Parliament, particularly if those votes were to allow further absentee MPs and the Northern Ireland benches empty in Westminster.

"It is disappointing that some in other parties have not just recognised the possibility of pro-Union representation being reduced, but appear to relish the opportunity. I have no doubt however that as people approach the ballot box they will do so mindful that their vote matters and can have significant consequences for the future of Northern Ireland."