Monthly Archives: February 2014

/The electricity poles which were cut down by thieves in Newtownabbey to get access to the copper inside the power cables Jonathan Porter/Presseye BY CHRIS KILPATRICK – 20 February 2014 A well-organised but reckless criminal gang is believed to be behind a spate of potentially lethal electricity cable thefts. A recent series of brazen attacks on the electricity network has resulted in disruption to homeowners and extensive damage to the system. And those behind the thefts have been told they are risking their lives and those of passers-by by hacking into cables carrying tens of thousands of volts of lethal electricity. Scrapyards were last night urged to play their part in combating the problem, with more stringent measures called for to curb the illicit and potentially deadly trade. During the latest theft almost a mile of cable was removed after four electricity poles were cut down in Newtownabbey. The culprits … Continue reading →

The anti-tobacco lobby within the DUP has won out over those within the party who have argued against new curbs on smoking, the party’s future health minister has suggested. Jim Wells, who is a passionate opponent of tobacco, told an Assembly debate that those in his party who argue that personal freedom should trump potential health benefits realised that there was an “inexorable” tide against them. His comments – which were reinforced by later remarks from Health Minister Edwin Poots – appear to confirm a change of stance in the DUP over recent weeks away from the position of those such as Ian Paisley Jr who have argued against further restrictions on smoking. Two weeks ago Mr Poots supported a request to allow Westminster to legislate for plain packaging of cigarettes, something fiercely contested by Mr Paisley Jr and by some others in the DUP. That debate saw several DUP … Continue reading →

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A suspicious object found near the rear of a house in the Broadlands Gardens area shortly after 1.30am on Sunday sparked the alert. Army bomb experts were tasked and declared the item an elaborate hoax. “The device is not believed to have caused any damage,” a PSNI spokesperson said. Residents were out of their homes for around five hours on Sunday morning while the operation was ongoing. There have been a number of hoax alerts in the area in the past month. Local Alliance Councillor Gavin Norris condemned the latest incident. “It is completely unacceptable that two families were forced from their homes in the middle of the night due to the disgraceful and menacing behaviour of those behind this hoax device,” he said. “Concern is growing as Broadlands Gardens continues to be singled out and I would urge anyone with any information to contact the PSNI as soon as … Continue reading →