Other News In Brief

Appeal For Information Following Criminal Damage Of Downpatrick Masonic Hall

The PSNI have issued an appeal for information following a report of criminal damage being caused to a Masonic Hall in Downpatrick on Monday 9th December.

It was reported to police around 4pm that sometime over the weekend a door had been damaged at the hall.

Enquiries are ongoing and police would appeal to anyone with any information in relation to the incident  to contact 101 quoting reference number 1091 – 09/12/24.

A report can be made using the online reporting form via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport. Information can also be provided to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

Housing Strategy 'Meaningless Without Funding

The Community Minister's announcement of a new Housing Supply Strategy is "meaningless without being backed by funding", SDLP Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan has said.

The plan retains a target to build 100,000 homes in 15 years from the draft strategy.

Foyle MLA Mr Durkan said: "This strategy is more of the same and utterly meaningless without funding to address the reasons for the housing emergency we are experiencing across the North. When the draft strategy was announced in 2021 we were told the Executive would deliver 100,000 homes over 15 years, with little detail on how they would deliver them. In the past five years the department claim they have started just over 8,000 new social homes, and they expect us to believe they will build ten times that over the next 15. Given everything we have seen from this Executive so far that seems insurmountable. "Targets are meaningless without a clear plan to tackle the root causes preventing house building in the North. There are many levers at the Minister's disposal from tackling empty homes, empowering the Housing Executive to embark on an ambitious house-building programme and he should be working with his Executive colleagues to address the challenges facing our wastewater infrastructure that is holding up over 19,000 homes.

"This strategy will bring no comfort to the over 47,000 current on the waiting list for social housing or the young families who are finding it impossible to get on the housing ladder. While there are welcome initiatives buried in this strategy, it will also do little to help those paying ever increasing rents or having to leave their communities as they see properties being bought up and used as second homes.

"We heard much about ambition in the Assembly today, but little detail on how this could be achieved. The public deserve better than the celebration of a target this Executive is unlikely to ever meet."

Man Arrested After Aggravated Burglary In Crossgar

A man in his 30s has been arrested following an aggravated burglary in Crossgar on Monday evening.

Police received a report that two men entered a property on Killyleagh Street while the residents were asleep.

One of the intruders, armed with a hurley bat, assaulted two residents, injuring one of them on the head. The injured resident was taken to hospital for treatment.

Police arrested a 35-year-old man on suspicion of aggravated burglary with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. He remains in custody.

Detective Sergeant James Johnston said: "I am appealing to anyone who may have any information or footage that could assist with our investigation to contact detectives on 101 quoting reference 1452 09/12/24."

A report can be made using the online reporting form via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport. Information can also be provided to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.