Other News In Brief

Appeal Following Armed Robbery In East Belfast

PSNI detectives have issued an appeal for information following the report of an armed robbery in east Belfast on Friday 15th November.

Police received a report shortly before 7am on Friday morning that a masked man had entered a shop on the Newtownards Road, near its junction with Dee Street, and threatened a male staff member with a knife.

The staff member was ordered to hand over a sum of cash and cigarettes before the suspect left the shop on foot in the direction of the city centre.

The suspect was described as being approximately 6’ tall, of medium build and was wearing a hooded top.

Detective Sergeant Alexander said: "An investigation is underway and anyone who saw a man matching this description, or who captured CCTV or dash-cam footage from the area which could assist with police enquiries, is asked to contact 101, quoting reference number 195 15/11/24.

"A report can be submitted online using the non-emergency reporting form via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/. You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org/."

SDLP Highlighted Impact Of Immigration Changes On NI Businesses

The SDLP has highlighted the negative impact of changes to immigration rules on businesses in Northern Ireland in a Westminster debate.

Party Leader and South Belfast and Mid Down MP, Claire Hanna, said: "The last government introduced five new rules as part of a last roll of the electoral dice. At the time we warned that the changes would have serious consequences for businesses, particularly in Northern Ireland, and we are now seeing the impact of these changes.

"The current government are undertaking a review of immigration policy, and I tabled this debate in to highlight these challenges and to give NI MPs the opportunity to put on record the feedback we've been receiving from local business across manufacturing, hospitality, transport, agriculture, as well as public services. "Additionally, we have almost 12,000 immigrants working within our health and social care system, going above and beyond day after day to care for patients, some of whom are impacted by mean-spirited changes. We also have significant vacancies within our health service which we have struggled to fill.

"These policies weren't designed with our economy in mind and I'm working to ensure that their replacements will be more supportive of workers, businesses and public services."

Allaince Calls For Urgent Action To Improve NI Train Services

Alliance MLA David Honeyford has urged Translink to take immediate steps to improve train services in Northern Ireland, particularly on the Lisburn-Belfast line.

Honeyford has received numerous complaints from constituents about overcrowding, lack of capacity, and unpredictable delays. He believes that addressing these issues is crucial to encouraging more people to use public transport.

Mr Honeyford has said: "This is affecting commuters from Lisburn and Moira, but also from Lurgan and beyond.

"Since the opening of Belfast Grand Central station, passengers have been experiencing massive overcrowding and delays on their commute. The station is supposed to operate on a hub-and-spoke basis, but if the incoming trains are delayed then people will miss those connections.

"Also, platforms have been extended to allow for six-carriage trains, but I'm hearing from constituents that there are now more three-carriage trains than previously, which simply isn't enough to meet demand.

"Since I first raised these issues personally I have been inundated with messages from people across my constituency who have been impacted by similar problems. It's particularly concerning to hear reports that healthcare workers at the City Hospital are missing connecting trains and are ending up late for work, as well as schoolchildren also being affected.

"Whilst I'm glad to hear from Translink that they are now looking at procuring additional carriages, this really should have been considered alongside the building of the new station, rather than afterwards.

"Alliance is a consistently strong and vocal advocate for public transport, and we want to see even more people availing of our train network where possible. For this to happen though, the service has to be efficient, comfortable and on-time, and we will continue engaging with Translink and the Department for Infrastructure on this."