Other News In Brief

Petrol Bomb Attack Investigated In North Belfast

Detectives are investigating a petrol bomb attack at a house in the Hoylake Park area of north Belfast which occurred on Saturday, 22 March.

Police received a report at 11 pm on Saturday night stating that a petrol bomb had been thrown into the garden of a property in the area. Although the device did not ignite, it caused minor damage. While officers were at the scene, they were informed that a second homemade device had also been left at the property, but this too had failed to ignite.

Detectives are currently working to determine the motive behind the attack. They are appealing for anyone who may have witnessed any suspicious activity in the Hoylake Park area or who has dash-cam or CCTV footage that could aid their investigation to come forward.

Anyone with information is asked to contact detectives at Musgrave on 101, quoting reference number 1725 of 22/03/25. Alternatively, a report can be made online using the non-emergency reporting form available at www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/, or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their website at crimestoppers-uk.org/.

Green Party Welcomes Ban On Executive Parties From Belfast Pride

Green Party Leader Mal O'Hara has welcomed the decision by Belfast Pride to ban executive parties from participating in this year's event. Mr. O'Hara stated that the LGBTQ+ community has been "betrayed and gaslit" by the parties in power for too long. He pointed to the long-promised LGBTQ+ strategy, which has been outstanding since 2007, and criticised the current Programme for Government for its lack of specific mention of LGBTQ+ inequality beyond a general commitment to "social strategies".

The Green Party leader also highlighted the inconsistent and non-strategic nature of funding for LGBTQ+ organisations, which he described as "piecemeal and ad hoc". He argued that most advancements in LGBTQ+ equality have originated from Westminster or the courts, rather than from the local Executive.

Mr. O'Hara cited the recent announcement of the puberty blocker ban via social media as the "final straw," calling it a removal of healthcare for trans and non-binary young people, while criticising the Executive's inaction on the wider crisis in trans healthcare.

Reflecting on the origins of Pride, Mr. O'Hara said, "Pride started as a riot. It is our biggest public event to demonstrate for liberation, equality and celebration." He indicated a willingness to reconsider the ban if significant progress is made. "If the Executive Parties make progress on trans healthcare, fund our sector organisations, stands up to backlash and bring forward a strategy, then I will be the first to advocate welcoming these parties back," he stated.

Mr. O'Hara concluded by asserting that "Pride is not a photo opportunity for political parties who have had power for 27 years and not used that power to make the lives of lgbtq+ people better."

SDLP Calls For School Safety Review Following Threatening Email Incident

SDLP Education Spokesperson Cara Hunter MLA has emphasised the need for children to feel safe at school following a series of security alerts that forced several schools to close.

Her comments come after schools in Strabane, Enniskillen, and Ballycastle were closed on Monday due to what police are now treating as a hoax email containing threats.