Other News In Brief

Man Killed In Magheralin Traffic Collision

A 25-year-old man has died after a road traffic collision involving a car in Magheralin on Friday, 11 May.

The pedestrian was struck by a white Skoda Octavia on New Forge Rd at around 10.30pm.

Local DUP MLA Carla Lockhart said: "This is devastating news for a local family. The loss of a young life in such circumstances is tragic. My thoughts are with his family and friends. A home has been plunged into sadness and we must give time and space for them to grieve.

"I would commend the local people who gave assistance at the scene, the emergency services and the PSNI. I would encourage anyone with any information to come forward to the PSNI and report it."

Witnesses are asked to contact police on 101 quoting reference 1456 11/05/18.

SF Condemns Israeli Military For Actions On Gaza Border

Sinn Féin MEP Martina Anderson has hit out at the "brutal and violent" actions of the Israeli Defence Forces on the Gaza border today, 14 May.

Dozens of Palestinians have been shot dead while thousands more are injured following demonstrations against a decision to relocate the US Embassy to Jerusalem.

Condemning the actions of the Israeli military, Sinn Féin MEP Martina Anderson said: "I wholeheartedly condemn the brutal and violent actions of the Israeli Defence Forces who have shot dead dozens of Palestinians on the Gaza border and injured thousands today during demonstrations today.

"What is happening is northing short of a massacre.

"It is long past the time the international community, and the European Union in Particular, took action to oppose ongoing Israeli aggression and oppression and acted to defend the rights of the people of Palestine.

"This comes on the back of similar outrages committed by Israel in recent weeks and just a day ahead of the 70th anniversary of Nakba when thousands of Palestinians were killed and hundreds of thousands forced from their homes.

"The actions of the Israelis are undermining efforts to secure a sustainable and peaceful two-state solution and must be urgently challenged by the international community."

Superbike Champion Awarded Freedom Of The Borough Of Antrim And Newtownabbey

The Freedom of the Borough of Antrim and Newtownabbey has been handed to World Superbike Champion, Jonathan Rea.

A motion to secure the award for Mr Rea was passed with unanimous support and the honour will be bestowed in the near future.

Speaking after the council session, Ballyclare Ulster Unionist Councillor David Arthurs said: "I wanted to propose Freedom of the Borough for Jonathan Rea to mark his achievements of putting Northern Ireland, Antrim and Newtownabbey and his home town of Ballyclare on the world stage, and for his services to sport."

"Jonathan is at the very top of his sport and as members of this Council and as residents of this Borough we should be very, very proud of his achievements to date. Achievements that were recognised by Her Majesty The Queen in her 2017 Birthday Honours List by awarding Jonathan an MBE for services to motorcycle racing. He was also runner up in the National BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2017 and he won the Northern Ireland Sports Person of the Year 2017.

"We have all seen how well Jonathan is regarded right across Northern Ireland, the Borough and in his hometown of Ballyclare by the two events we held in Sixmile Leisure Centre after his 2nd and 3rd World Championship wins. Conferring this honour is the right thing to do for such a wonderful ambassador for our Borough."

(LM)