Other News In Brief

Man Armed With Sword Arrested In East Belfast

A 38-year-old man has been arrested following reports of a man in possession of a sword in east Belfast yesterday evening, Thursday 10th October.

Inspector Savage said: "At approximately 5.50pm we received a report on an ongoing altercation involving four men in the Channing Street area, one of whom was brandishing a sword at the others.

"Armed Response Officers attended and the man aged 38 was arrested on suspicion of possessing an article with a blade or point in a public place.

"He remains in police custody at this time.

"This was an example of excellent police work with our officers responding quickly and ensuring that no one was injured during this terrifying incident.

"Our investigation is ongoing and we are appealing to anyone who may have any witnessed the attack or anyone with CCTV, doorbell or other footage that could assist with enquiries to contact police on 101, quoting reference number 1313 of 10/10/24."

Information can also be provided to the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org

SDLP MLA Calls For Increased Support For Grieving Parents

SDLP East Derry MLA Cara Hunter has urged for greater public awareness and funding for counselling services to address the trauma caused by miscarriage.

Ms. Hunter hosted an event at Stormont on Thursday during Baby Loss Awareness Week, welcoming the White Butterfly Foundation, an organisation dedicated to breaking the silence and stigma surrounding baby loss, miscarriage, and neonatal loss.

She emphasised the importance of stronger support systems for grieving parents, highlighting the need for greater understanding and compassion.

East Derry MLA Ms Hunter said: "Miscarriage is an all too common experience, but one that rarely receives the attention it deserves. Whilst miscarriage before 24 weeks happens to around 1 in 8 expecting mothers, the pain and trauma that this experience leaves has not been sufficiently recognised in public discussion. Mirroring the lack of discussion, has been a lack of services and structures to support parents in their grief.

"It has been an honour to sponsor today's event at Stormont presented by the White Butterfly Foundation. Selina Casey, a Kilrea woman who herself has experienced this loss, founded the organisation to provide counselling services for the bereaved, and to offer community and support for those who all too often feel isolated and alone in their grief. "One mother explained how she left the hospital with just a leaflet - no other support. That's not good enough. These parents desperately need support at a very difficult time in their lives.

"I welcome plans to bring Northern Ireland into line with other jurisdictions in introducing a baby loss certificate; this certificate is an important official gesture to make those impacted by this loss feel seen and validated.

"I hope that today's event and the work undertaken by the White Butterfly Foundation will rightly bring this issue into greater focus and I will be pushing the Executive to make more money available to facilitate this much needed work."

Alliance To Oppose SF 'Roll Back' On Paid Carer's Leave

Alliance has committed to opposing Sinn Féin's "roll back" on paid carer's leave.

The party's Economy spokesperson, Kate Nicholl MLA, noted her disappointment at the lack of commitment to paid carers leave in a consultation published by the Sinn Féin Economy Minister.

A public consultation document on the Good Jobs (Employment Rights) Bill states that the Department is consulting on unpaid leave for carers, walking back from a Sinn Féin motion in March 2024 that advocated support for the provision of paid carer's leave in Northern Ireland.

Expressing her support for paid carers leave, the South Belfast MLA added: "Carers across Northern Ireland, many of whom themselves have health conditions or disabilities, do important and critically undervalued work within our economy.

"According to the latest census, over 220,000 people are providing unpaid care for family and friends, underlining just how dependent we are on them to hold our society and economy together. Without unpaid carers, our health and social care system would be overwhelmed far and above what it is today.

"Following the passing of a Sinn Féin motion supporting paid carers leave in the Assembly in March 2024, it was both surprising and disappointing that the Economy Minister did not commit to delivering this important support mechanism as part of the forthcoming Good Jobs Bill. We will robustly challenge their roll back and continue to advocate for the inclusion of paid carers leave.

"We know that carers are often forced out of the workplace or to reduce their hours significantly due to the demands of their caring responsibilities, which has a detrimental impact both on the individuals involved and our wider economy.

"Providing paid carer's leave and supporting more carers to stay in the labour market is positive for workers, business and our wider economy. Unfortunately, the methodology underpinning the cost modelling for paid carers leave within the consultation appears to be disingenuous and we are calling on the Minister to properly scope the potential inclusion of paid carer's leave in any forthcoming legislation."