£162,000 Improvement Scheme For Ballynahinch

Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy has said work on a £162,000 improvement scheme on the A24 Belfast Road in Ballynahinch, north of the A21 Saintfield Road junction is to start on Monday 13 January 2014.

Resurfacing of a 600-metre stretch of road from the junction, towards Belfast, is expected to be completed by Wednesday 22 January 2014. As a result of the work, it will be necessary to enforce a temporary 40mph speed limit to the section of road from 8.00am to 5.00pm each working day from Monday 13 January to Wednesday 22 January 2014.

Minister Kennedy said: "This £162,000 scheme represents a significant investment in the roads infrastructure in the Ballynahinch area.

"Once work is complete, road users will quickly realise the long term benefits of the new road surface along this stretch."

Appeal Over Belfast Hate Crimes

The PSNI has issued an appeal for information after three properties in east Belfast were targeted at the weekend.

The attacks are being treated as hate crimes, police have said.

The incidents occurred in the Strandtown area on Sunday night, with the first property attacked at 11.25pm. The front window of the house had been smashed by a brick.

Minutes later, just after 11.30pm, two front windows at a property in Victoria Avenue were also smashed by bricks. Shortly after, a front window was smashed in a third property in the Strandburn Park area.

No one was injured in the attacks.

Commenting on the incidents, PSNI Chief Inspector Mark McEwan, Area Commander said: "Enquiries into these incidents are continuing and are at an early stage. Police believe the three incidents are linked and treating the incidents as hate crimes.

"I would ask anyone who may have witnessed this hate crime incident or anyone who may have information relating to these attacks to share that information with police at Strandtown on 0845 600 8000 so that the perpetrators of this crime can be brought before the courts."

People can also anonymously contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."

MLA Slams Failure To Pay Newry Workers

Newry and Armagh MLA Dominic Bradley has said he will do all he can to help employees of 'Newry on Ice – A Winter Wonderland' receive the wages they are owed.

Mr Bradley was speaking after it was claimed the company responsible for the 'Christmas extravaganza' has reportedly not paid some of the employees following the end of the event.

Commenting on the matter, Mr. Bradley said: "This is a disgraceful situation. I understand some of the 30-plus young people have not received the pay due to them. There is a clear moral responsibility on the company to fulfil its obligations to all of its employees.

"My colleagues and I have made representations through the Newry and Mourne District Council to hold the company to account and help ensure the young people get what is rightfully due to them – the wages owed to them."

(JP)