Other News In Brief

Police Appeal For Information Burglary In Ballycarry

Detectives are investigating a burglary that occurred in Ballycarry on Wednesday evening, 04 December.

Police received a report that a house on Main Street had been broken into between 6pm and 11.30pm. The property was ransacked, and a sum of cash was stolen.

Detective Sergeant Marks said: "Thankfully, no one was present at the time of the burglary, but nonetheless this was a frightening experience for the victims involved.

"We are currently investigating a number of lines of enquiry in our efforts to identify a suspect and I am appealing to anyone who may have witnessed anyone or anything suspicious in the area or to anyone with CCTV, doorbell or dash-cam footage that could assist our investigation, to contact detectives on 101 quoting reference number 1679 of 04/12/24."

A report can also be submitted online using our 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 Criticises 'Chaos And Dysfunction' Of The Executive

The SDLP has criticised the "chaos and dysfunction" of the Executive after members of the media left a pre-arranged press conference after being left waiting.

Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole MLA said it was typical of the Executive's failure to deliver as promised.

South Belfast MLA Mr O'Toole said: "People across Northern Ireland will sympathise with the journalists who were left waiting at Stormont today, they too have been left waiting by this Executive who promised endless interventions before Stormont was restored and proceeded to deliver very little but warm words and public relations opportunities. "There was an expectation today that we would hear that the Executive had finally agreed on a Budget to be brought forward to the Assembly next week, instead all we are hearing is from journalists who were left waiting. This is typical of the lack of transparency, accountability and scrutiny that we have come to expect from this Executive.

"The media's time was wasted today, in the same way that Executive parties wasted the majority of Assembly time this year discussing non-binding motions and expressing their support for various causes, without lifting a figure to do anything about them. They have not even delivered half of their announced legislative programme, that was in itself unambitious and rehashed.

"When Stormont returned there was a sense of optimism, not that things would be turned around overnight, but that there would be changes for the better. I'm sorry to say we have seen very little of that so far."

SF Welcomes Decision To Extend Welfare Mitigations

Sinn Féin has welcomed the announcement that the Executive has agreed to extend welfare mitigations to 2028.

The party's communities spokesperson, MLA Colm Gildernew, said: "It is positive news that the Executive has today agreed to extend welfare mitigations to 2028 to protect our most vulnerable in society.

"The mitigations package, which includes support for people impacted by the transition from DLA to PIP, the benefit cap and bedroom tax, continues to play an important role in protecting people against some of the worst aspects of Tory cuts.

"While the previous Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey removed the end date for the bedroom tax, the remaining mitigations required Executive agreement to continue beyond March 2025.

"I want to acknowledge the role of organisations such as the Cliff Edge Coalition and others who have tirelessly campaigned around this and other issues associated with mitigation against cuts.

"Moving forward, the Labour government must break with the Tories' old ways, and build a fairer benefits system that supports workers and families."