Other News In Brief

Traffic Alert: South Belfast Road Users Advised to Plan Ahead for Linfield vs Cliftonville Match

Road users in south Belfast are advised to be aware of potential traffic disruptions and delays on Saturday, October 26th, due to the Irish Premiership football match between Linfield and Cliftonville.

The match is scheduled to kick off at 3pm at The National Stadium. As a result, significant traffic congestion is expected in the surrounding areas, including the M1, Donegall Road, and Boucher Road.

To minimise inconvenience, road users are encouraged to plan their journeys in advance, allowing extra travel time to account for potential delays.

It is also important for those driving to the match to park responsibly, considering local residents and businesses. Additionally, supporters are urged to be respectful and considerate when walking through residential areas.

Please note that the areas around the National Stadium are designated as 'No Street Drinking' zones under Belfast City Council by-laws. It is essential to adhere to these regulations at all times.

We hope that all attendees enjoy the match.

Alliance MP Calls For Urgent Action On Scammers Targeting the Recently Bereaved

Alliance MP, Sorcha Eastwood, has called for urgent action on the growing number of online scams targeting families during bereavement.

The Lagan Valley MP has tabled an Early Day Motion (EDM) at Westminster, noting the increased number of such scams and calling on the UK Government to work with law enforcement and online platforms to crack down on the practice.

Recent examples have included Facebook accounts with a fake donation page for one of the Southport stabbing victims, while a family were targeted in Ms Eastwood's own constituency earlier this year with a similar scam following a death.

She said the need for decisive intervention has never been clearer.

"It is sickening scammers are targeting grieving families during their darkest hours," said Ms Eastwood. "We've seen a rise in these cruel scams and Northern Ireland has been especially affected, with several families recently being targeted. I've even been targeted myself on social media. This causes emotional distress and potentially financial harm to victims. I've even been targeted myself via Facebook but thankfully spotted it early.

"This EDM calls on the Government to work with law enforcement agencies, online platforms, and the funeral sector to introduce stricter measures to detect and prevent these fraudulent schemes. The Government must act now to protect families and ensure those responsible for these horrendous scams are held to account. Grieving families should be focused on mourning their loved ones, not on fighting off scammers trying to exploit their loss."

SF Urge Govt To Work With Families On 'Way Forward For Legacy'

The British government must work with all families on an agreed way forward for legacy, Sinn Féin MP Dáire Hughes has said.

The Newry and Armagh MP was speaking after he told the British Secretary of State Hilary Benn on Thursday at the Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement that "the ICRIR does not have the confidence of the majority of families here".

The MP said: "The majority of families have been abundantly clear that the ICRIR does not command their confidence, and at yesterday’s committee I made that exact point to British Secretary of State Hilary Benn.

"This is a result of a number of flaws with the body, not least the question around its impartiality and the role of the British Secretary of State.

"I also raised the case of Sean Brown and his family’s courageous efforts to achieve full truth and justice. The British government must establish a public inquiry, as widely supported, without delay.

"The British Labour Party made a commitment to 'repeal and replace' the Legacy Act in full, and it should now get on with doing so without delay.

"The British government must work with all families on an agreed way forward for legacy by returning to the key principles and mechanisms agreed at Stormont House.

"Heartbroken families have been fighting for decades to uncover the full extent of what happened to loved ones. Now is the time to support these families in their dignified efforts for truth."