Monthly Archives: November 2013

No thanks, take me to the site. Parliamentary reports show first speaker only – follow this lnk for the full transcription. Articles may come from parliamentary reports, various public news feeds and Google News Search. Content is republished here for context. Copyright is respected and remains with the original author at all times. Original Article:http://www.4ni.co.uk/northern_ireland_news.asp?id=172600

The family of murdered Ballycarry woman Nichola Dickson claim they were “kept in the dark” over her killer’s release from prison. Twenty-six-year-old Nichola was brutally murdered by her partner, David McCord, at her Ballycarry home in 2003. McCord was sentenced to a minimum of 11 years behind bars, but has been back on the streets since July under a pre-release scheme. Shocked to learn that McCord has effectively been released six months early, Nichola’s brother Gareth Smyth and her mother Linda Brown have paid a visit to Attorney General John Larkin, QC, to discuss the case. The pair spoke to Mr Larkin of their displeasure at the “lack of information” available to them surrounding McCord’s release. Gareth told the Times: “We have been virtually excluded from the parole process, and have been shown no proof that McCord has been rehabilitated. “We got a vague letter in July informing us that … Continue reading →

Governors at Monkstown Community School have called for a swift decision on plans for the merger with Newtownabbey Community High. The North Eastern Education and Library Board has submitted proposals to Education Minister John O’Dowd for the amalgamation of the two schools to form a new post-primary school at the existing Monkstown site. While governors at both schools are keen on the merger plan, there has been disagreement about the best location for the new school, with some arguing that it should be at the NCHS site in Rathcoole. More than 80 parents joined staff and governors at Monkstown Community School last week to discuss the issue and hear an update on plans for the new school, which will cater for young people aged 11 – 19 years. Among those who attended were local politicians Sammy Wilson MP and Roy Beggs MLA. Welcoming the large turnout at the meeting, principal … Continue reading →

Local historical murder enquiries have come into focus following the screening of a programme on ‘The Disappeared’ earlier this month. The issue was initially raised by East Antrim MLA Roy Beggs, who drew comparisons between the cases outlined in the BBC documentary and that of missing Carrick man Mark Gourley. Mr Gourley, 36, was first reported missing in March 2009; however, in September of this year the case was re-launched as a murder enquiry. Further to Mr Beggs’ comments, Carrick’s Policing and Community Safety chair Cllr Andrew Wilson indicated that historical murder investigations remain high on the organisation’s
agenda. “The partnership have tried to facilitate increased reporting of crime and it is very much on our agenda moving forward,” he said. “We try to help with the process of encouraging communities to build relationships and trust with the Police Service of Northern
Ireland. “To this end, I would appeal to anyone who … Continue reading →

The mother and brother of Ballycarry murder victim Nichola Dickson are to meet the Attorney General today (Thursday), after it emerged that her killer is already back on the streets. Twenty-six-year-old Nichola was stabbed to death by her partner, David McCord at her Hillhead Road home in 2004. The Dundonald man was sentenced to a minimum of 11 years in prison. But it has emerged that McCord has effectively been released six months ahead of the tariff. And East Antrim MLA Roy Beggs said the situation “makes a mockery of the term life sentence”. The Ulster Unionist representative has agreed to accompany Nichola’s mother, Linda Brown, and sibling Gareth Smyth, to Belfast today to discuss the case with Attorney General John Larkin, QC. McCord has been out of prison on a pre-release scheme since the start of July. Mr Beggs said: “It seems no time at all since the controversy … Continue reading →