Monthly Archives: December 2015

31 December 2015 Last updated at 08:00 By Chris Page BBC News NI Political Correspondent Susan Jackson, a social worker, says the new law makes a big difference to children in care During a rather noisy political year characterised by crisis, a notable piece of legislation quietly made its way through the Stormont assembly. Amid the din of division, all parties spoke in favour of the bill and put it into law. The Children’s Services Co-Operation Bill was proposed by the Green Party MLA Steven Agnew. It places a legal duty on government agencies to co-operate when it comes to children’s services. That might sound technical, but professionals in the field have said it will make a vital and very practical difference. Susan Jackson is a social worker from the Life Story Project and works with children in care. She used one example to show why the new law matters. … Continue reading →

Police have been praised for removing “harmful substances” from the Carrickfergus and Whitehead areas following two recent operations. A cannabis factory was discovered during a search of a residential property in Whitehead on Thursday, December 17. A quantity of white powder was also found during the PSNI operation at Ransevyn Park in the seaside town. A 35-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of a number of drug related offences before being released on police bail, pending further enquiries. East Antrim MLA Roy Beggs welcomed the announcement that the items have been taken out of circulation in the constituency. The Ulster Unionist representative said “I am aware that the PSNI uncovered a cannabis factory in Whitehead last week and that an arrest took place. I understand that a suspicious white powder, potentially a Class A drug, was also seized during the search. I welcome the fact that these harmful substances have … Continue reading →

Police have been praised for removing “harmful substances” from the Carrickfergus and Whitehead areas following two recent operations. A cannabis factory was discovered during a search of a residential property in Whitehead on Thursday, December 17. A quantity of white powder was also found during the PSNI operation at Ransevyn Park in the seaside town. A 35-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of a number of drug related offences before being released on police bail, pending further enquiries. East Antrim MLA Roy Beggs welcomed the announcement that the items have been taken out of circulation in the constituency. The Ulster Unionist representative said “I am aware that the PSNI uncovered a cannabis factory in Whitehead last week and that an arrest took place. I understand that a suspicious white powder, potentially a Class A drug, was also seized during the search. I welcome the fact that these harmful substances have … Continue reading →

The man, who was in his 50s, was approached by three masked men while out walking close to Castlemara Stores in the Co Antrim town at around 7.30pm on Friday. He was subsequently shot in the leg and was taken to hospital for treatment for a single gunshot wound to his calf. It is believed the three men made off on foot but it is not known in which direction they ran. Ulster Unionist MLA for East Antrim, Roy Beggs has condemned the attack. He said: “This was a despicable attack which I utterly condemn. Shooting a man in the leg is a violent crime.  “It creates a victim and can result in long term scars, a disability or worse. Further demands are added to our already heavily pressed NHS Ambulance Service, Emergency Departments and the local police. “It is deeply regrettable that a gun has been brought onto our … Continue reading →

Elected representatives are encouraging local people to assist police with an investigation into a van hijacking in Carrickfergus yesterday. Detective Sergeant Peter Crothers said: “It was reported that a male, armed with a handgun, got into a white Mercedes Sprinter van as it was being driven in the Belfast Road area of the town at around 10.15am and threatened the driver. “He was ordered to drive to the Glencairn Road in North Belfast, where the contents of his van were transferred to a waiting white Transit van which then made off from the scene. “The driver was assaulted and has been taken to hospital for treatment. The Sprinter van was set alight and has been totally destroyed.” Commenting on the incident, East Antrim MLA Roy Beggs said: “Clearly this is a dangerous group of criminals and I would urge the public to assist by providing any possible relevant information to … Continue reading →