Tag Archives: Carrickfergus

Beggs Urges Use of Medieval Carrickfergus Castle to Enhance Local Tourism Potential

Ulster Unionist politician Roy Beggs MLA has spoken of the need for the NIEA to develop ‘Game of Thrones’ tourism the medieval Carrickfergus Castle and other such facilities to capture the imagination and enhance the tourism product that visitors might have when they visit Carrickfergus. Roy Beggs MLA asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment “How are the locations that have been used in the filming of ‘Game of Thrones” are being promoted to encourage additional tourism?” The Minister responded, stating “My Department, through the Northern Ireland Tourist Board and Tourism Ireland, has undertaken new campaigns to promote the various locations that are used in filming ‘Game of Thrones’.  Recently, at the invitation of NITB and Tourism Ireland, almost 20 journalist from around the world visited Northern Ireland to explore some of those locations, including the Dark Hedges near Ballymoney, as well as Cushendun, Cairncastle, Clenarm, Ballintoy and, on … Continue reading

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Beggs calls for calm and respect for rule of law

Following car high jacking and fires on the street in the Woodburn area of Carrickfergus, Roy Beggs MLA has called for calm, respect for the rule of law and an end to destruction in an already deprived area. Roy Beggs MLA said, “Setting bonfires on the street and destroying vehicles is damaging to all who live in the Woodburn area.  Its serves no purpose.  I would call for an end to this illegal activity which is inconveniencing residents and detracting from the neighbourhood.  Having visited the area, I would urge statutory agencies to assist in clearing all debris from the roadway as soon as possible so that normality can return. The Police have a duty to investigate the mob violence that occurred recently in Larne and to follow any incriminating leads regarding this or other criminality.  I would encourage the public to assist the Police with their investigations by providing … Continue reading

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Beggs urges customer focus over bin collections

Roy Beggs MLA who had served as a Councillor for 10 years has expressed disappointment at the number of complaints he has received over Carrickfergus Borough Council’s failure to provide a reliable bin collection service. Roy Beggs MLA said, “I have received  a number of complaints from the Greenisland and Carrickfergus areas were there has been a failure to complete the waste collection service on the nominated day.  This is inconveniencing residents and results in bins remaining on the street for an unduly long period with the associated additional risks to pedestrians and the environment.  Subsequent unplanned collections must also be adding cost to ratepayers.  I would urge Council staff to refocus on the needs of local residents and to ensure that the essential waste collection service is provided in a professional punctual manner in the future”.

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UUP MLAs Appeal for Information on Recent ‘Disappeared’

In wake of the reaction to the showing of the BBC/RTE programme “Disappeared” on the IRA abduction, killing and secret burial of some of their victims, Ulster Unionist party MLAs Roy Beggs (East Antrim) and Leslie Cree (North Down) have repeated previous calls for information about the whereabouts of Mark Gourley and Lisa Dorrian in their constituencies.  These separate missing person incidents have been widely linked to loyalist paramilitaries. In September Police in Carrickfergus launched a murder enquiry into the disappearance of Mark Gourley who went missing in March 2009.  Lisa Dorrian has not been seen since February 2005 when she had been at a party in a caravan park in Ballyhalbert, North Down. “Anyone who has watched the programme on the Disappeared cannot fail to have been moved and upset by the dreadful callousness of the republican terrorists who carried out these acts” said Mr Beggs. “However it strikes … Continue reading

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Call to Extend Bowel Cancer Screening

Ulster Unionist MLA for East Antrim Roy Beggs Jnr has highlighted the fact that Carrickfergus has the worst statistics for bowel (Colectoral) cancer for men in Northern Ireland.  After Lung and Breast, Bowel Cancer is the third most deadly cancer in the UK.  In a debate at Stormont Mr Beggs called for an extension of the screening programme  for bowel cancer which was  introduced under former Health Minister Michael McGimpsey 3 ½ years ago. Roy Beggs MLA said: “In preparing for the Stormont debate on Bowel Cancer, I learned about research statistics published by Queens’ University about cancer death rates in Northern Ireland.  For the 2006-2010 period the standardised mortality rates for colectoral cancer- which is also known as colon, rectal or bowel cancer- is alarmingly high in the borough of Carrickfergus.  At 152.9 the male mortality rate for Carrickfergus is the worst in Northern Ireland.  At 121.4 overall it … Continue reading

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