Alliance Seeks Urgent Meeting With Police Over Animal Cruelty

The Alliance Party is calling for an urgent meeting with police after receiving a letter claiming to be from someone poisoning cats in the east Belfast area.

The letter, handed to Alliance MP Mrs Naomi Long by a concerned local, states the person has been "employed by a number of residents" in the Dundonald area to "sort out the cat problems". It adds the person will put down bait resulting in "instant death' of the animal, with the cat 'not feeling a thing".

One letter claimed the owner's cat had already been poisoned, three weeks after it had initially disappeared.

Mrs Long said: "I have dealt with a number of constituents who have reported missing cats and to think they may have fallen prey to someone poisoning them is horrific. These are innocent animals and someone's pet. To treat them as vermin and of no consequence is appalling and illegal."

Minister Marks 20th Anniversary Of Eco-Schools

The 20th Anniversary of Eco-Schools in Northern Ireland was marked at a special celebration today.

Minister Mark H Durkan praised the young people and their teachers for driving forward great work for the Environment.

Minister Durkan said: "Every pupil wants to achieve 100% and their teachers push them to do just that ! I am delighted that I have achieved 100% in my drive to have every school an Eco School. Over the past year I have made this a personal priority and I wrote to schools encouraging them to take part.

"Some of my most rewarding times as Environment Minister have been my visits to the Eco Schools witnessing at first hand the great work of our eco warriors and their teachers.

"Over the next year I will continue to work with Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful and our schools to build on this success."

One Month To Go To End Tobacco Displays In Shops

From 6 April 2015, it will be against the law to openly display tobacco products in all retail premises, including shops, bars and clubs.

The new legislation is one of a range of measures being introduced in order to reduce the appeal and uptake of smoking amongst children and young people.

Health Minister, Jim Wells, said: "Studies have shown that children and young people are particularly susceptible to advertising, and those exposed to tobacco marketing and promotion are more likely to take up smoking. Following tighter restrictions on tobacco advertising, gantries in shops have become increasingly more prominent and could now be viewed as a source of promotion to adults and children alike.

"Given that the majority of smokers take up the habit in their teens, it is vital that we act to protect children from becoming hooked on tobacco before they are old enough to fully understand the consequences. We also know that most smokers want to quit and this measure will support those attempting to quit by putting tobacco products out of sight."

(CD)