Other News In Brief

Appeal For Information After Criminal Damage Of Walker's Plinth In L'Derry

L'Derry PSNI have issued an appeal for information following an incident of criminal damage to Walker's Plinth on the city's Walls after paint was thrown at it.

The incident was reported to police at around 11.30am this morning, Monday 8th July, and is being investigated as a sectarian hate crime.

Enquiries are ongoing and police appeal to anyone with information or footage which may assist the investigation to call 101, quoting reference 491 of 08/07/24, or submit a report online using the non-emergency reporting form via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org

Swann Condemns Those Responsible For Racist Graffiti In Antrim

Ulster Unionist Party MP for South Antrim, Robin Swann, has condemned those responsible for Combat 18 and swastika graffiti on properties in the town.

Mr Swann said: "Overnight, Combat 18 and swastika graffiti were daubed on properties in Antrim. The police have since confirmed that there have been five separate reports of graffiti on houses across Antrim. Those taking part in these acts want to cause fear or promote hatred and these racist attacks will not be tolerated in the Antrim community. Any house subject to racist graffiti in Northern Ireland is an insult to democracy.

"I have requested a meeting with the PSNI to discuss the actual facts behind the attacks. The PSNI remain on the ground in the community and are working towards finding those responsible for these attacks."

SDLP MP's Meet With New NI Secretary Hilary Benn

SDLP MP's Colum Eastwood and Claire Hanna have met with new Labour Secretary of State, Hilary Benn, to discuss immediate priorities and challenges facing people across Northern Ireland.

Describing the meeting as "constructive", SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood, said: "Throughout the election campaign, we promised that SDLP MPs would go to work straight away to fight for people and communities across Northern Ireland. This evening we have had a constructive meeting with the new Secretary of State building on the strong relationship between our parties and our shared ambition to get things done quickly.

"As we have said from day one our first priority is in delivering emergency aid to our health service, we pressed the Secretary of State to make this the most important priority of the government's first 100 days in office and I am pleased that Labour have made health such an early focus. People who have been waiting years for treatment need to know that we've got their backs.

"We also discussed our shared objective of repealing and replacing the toxic Tory Legacy Act immediately. The SDLP worked hard to make this an early commitment for a Labour government and we will be pushing hard to see it implemented quickly.

"In common with others we have also asked questions about the British Government commitment to Casement Park. This is an opportunity to showcase our shared society and deliver investment in a community which deserves it.

"I am impressed with Hilary Benn and with the efforts to restore and renew Britain's relationship with Ireland which has been badly damaged by the Tory Brexit years. Communities across these islands can thrive and will benefit from governments, parties and political leaders who understand the benefits of cooperation in the common interests of the people we represent.

"This was a positive first meeting with the new government. We will have deeper engagement in the coming days and weeks. I know that we will be able to deliver more for people and communities across the North."