Orange Hall Attack Condemned

An attack on an Orange Hall in Lisburn has been condemned by the Alliance Party.

Sectarian graffiti was spray-painted on the wall of the building on Hillhall Road overnight on Tuesday, 02 August.

Police are treating it as a hate crime and are appealing for information.

Alliance Lisburn Councillor Aaron McIntyre said: "This is a sectarian attack on the local community and demonstrates nothing other than lack of tolerance of the traditions of others.

"Nothing is ever gained by these sorts of attacks and they are condemned by every right-thinking person. We need to move past these incidents if we are to have a truly shared society."

Further Funding Secured For Flood Mitigation Schemes In Fermanagh

Priority has been given to five flood mitigation schemes in Co Fermanagh, the Infrastructure Minister has confirmed.

Minister Chris Hazzard said additional funding has been secured to carry out work at a number of locations.

He said: "The extent of the work at each location will be dictated by factors such as ground condition and affordability and it is considered that the solutions being implemented provide value for money and allow works to be carried out at a number of key locations."

The five flood mitigation schemes which will be progressed include three crossings of Upper Lough Erne which were closed following severe rainfall last Autumn causing severe disruption to traffic.

Additional Funding Announced For Libraries

Communities Minister Paul Givan has announced he will be providing Libraries NI with additional funding of £225,000 which will ensure that the proposed reduction in Library opening hours will not now go ahead.

A public consultation on reducing opening hours was completed by Libraries NI, the outcome of which recently closed with over 8,000 responses received. The additional money means Libraries NI will no longer need to consider imposing reduced opening hours in 14 of its busiest libraries.

The Minister said: "The views of people are important in any public consultation and the responses received during the Libraries NI consultation has been clearly heard, both by the organisation and by me as Minister.

"People care deeply about this important resource based in their local communities which is why I am delighted to be in a position to announce this additional funding of £225,000. This money will allow Libraries NI to address some of the financial pressures that the organisation like so many others are currently facing."

(CD/LM)