Monthly Archives: January 2017

Motorists are being advised be careful on Derry’s roads this morning after icy roads were blamed for a spate of accidents in and around the city last night. In the most serious incident, a woman was taken to hospital following a three-vehicle collision on the Glenshane Road close to its turn-off to Claudy. Her injuries are not believed to be life-threatening. In the city, a local councillor said it was lucky no one was injured when a car demolished a perimeter wall (pictured) of a house at Grangemore Park. Sinn Fein Councillor Colly Kelly said “This must have been a very frightening experience for anyone caught up in this incident. “Anyone living in Grangemore would tell you that this is a very busy road with traffic and pedestrians going to and from the local shops. “It was a very foggy night and there was a lot of ice about so … Continue reading →

Mid-Ulster Ulster Unionist MLA, Sandra Overend, along with her Ulster Unionist Party colleagues, Doug Beattie MLA and Roy Beggs MLA, has brought a motion to the Assembly calling for a review of bail policy in cases of terrorism and murder. This followed the revelation that Damien Joseph McLaughlin, who had been on bail charged with offences linked to the murder of Cookstown Prison Officer David Black, had not been seen by police since November. Mrs Overend said: “Earlier this month I was shocked to learn, through media reports, that a man accused in connection with the murder of David Black has not been seen by the police since November, whilst on police bail. “It is absolutely disgraceful that this man – a man that has already made headlines, when the authorities previously allowed him to attend a spa break in Fermanagh – was allowed to disappear while on bail. Those responsible … Continue reading →

Issues around court bail for dissident republican suspects is one area of concern as police investigate the latest murder attempt on an officer, the chief constable has said. Addressing the media following Sunday’s gun attack in north Belfast – in which a community officer suffered gunshot wounds to his arm – George Hamilton said the criminal justice system needed a “linked up” approach. Forensic experts examine the scene of Sundays gun attack on a police officer at a garage forecourt on the Crumlin Road in north Belfast The injured officer was targeted as he called at the Maxol garage on the Crumlin Road close to the junction with Tennent Street. He is understood to be a probationer constable in his early 20s. There have been a number of serious incidents linked to dissident republicans in recent months, with many commentators expressing concern that bail is often granted despite police objections. … Continue reading →

Police are appealing for witnesses following a shooting incident in Carrickfergus last night. Shortly after 9.30pm a shot was fired at the front door of a house in the Woodburn Avenue area. A man aged in his 70s and two young children who were in the house at the time were not injured. Two males were seen running away from the house following the incident. East Antrim MLA Roy Beggs condemned the incident and said: “Guns should not be on our streets.”
Mr Beggs, a member of Stormont’s Justice Committee added: “I am relieved that the gentleman and two young children who were in the house at the time of the attack were not injured. “It also raises the question of where the funding is from the Fresh Start Agreement to combat paramilitarism which could give additional funds for policing and also specialist undercover operations to catch paramilitaries in action?” Detective … Continue reading →