Other News In Brief

Call For Death Threat Against Number Of Men To Be Removed

Alliance West Tyrone spokesperson Stephen Donnelly has called for a death threat against a number of men in the Omagh area to be removed immediately.

A statement given to a local newspaper contained the threat against at least six local men, who the unnamed group claim are drug dealers. It was accompanied by an image of three men wearing balaclavas and military-style clothing. A number of guns are also pictured.

Mr Donnelly said: "There is no place whatsoever for vigilantism in Omagh or anywhere else. Violence is never the answer and there can never be any excuse for it. Whoever is behind these threats needs to withdraw them immediately and without reservation.

"Our community has suffered enough in recent times due to the fatal consequences of drugs. We do not need this pain compounded by armed groups subverting the rule of law and the very means by which justice can be secured for bereaved families.

"The only way to tackle criminality such as drug dealing is by reporting incidents to police and helping them with their enquiries. I have no doubt the PSNI have the complete support of the local community in facing down both drug dealers and these thugs."

Homes Benefit From Oil Buying Scheme

Homes involved in the Oil Buying Scheme, funded by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, have received five million litres of home heating oil.

The scheme managed by Bryson Energy aims to reduce fuel costs by encouraging bulk buying and lowering the carbon footprint through fewer oil tanker movements in the oil club areas.

It is open to all housing tenures including owner-occupiers, Housing Executive and housing associations as well as private-rented tenants.

Robert Clements, our Sustainable Development Manager said: "The award winning Oil Buying Club Scheme has been a great success and has reduced fuel costs for customers across Northern Ireland.

"The premises is simple, the more people buy oil together, the more they can reduce the cost. The response to the oil buying clubs across Northern Ireland has been extremely encouraging. Our oil buying club scheme is a practical example of how the Housing Executive is making a real difference to transforming people's lives and fostering vibrant communities.

"As the Home Energy Conservation Authority for Northern Ireland, contact the Housing Executive funded Bryson Energy Advice Line on 0800 1422 865 for free, local, impartial energy saving advice. Trained energy advisors will signpost you to your nearest oil buying club, advice on energy switching, latest information on available grants and general energy advice tips."

UUP Hits Out Over Adams Comments

The Ulster Unionist Party's Justice spokesperson Doug Beattie MC MLA has described Gerry Adams comments that the IRA murderers of a County Louth farmer should not be jailed, as 'sickening and perverse hypocrisy'.

Doug Beattie MC MLA said: "Gerry Adams' sickening and perverse hypocrisy has once again been exposed for all to see in his comments about the murder of Tom Oliver, a Louth farmer murdered by the IRA in 1991.

"When asked on radio if he wanted the killers brought to justice Mr Adams replied 'I think it would be totally and absolutely counterproductive'. He then described the murder as a ‘politically motivated killing’ as justification for the brutal, callous and cowardly murder.

"Gerry Adams is elected by the people of Louth to the Republic of Ireland's parliament and in any normal democracy it would be simply incredible that an elected representative would not want to see Mr Oliver's murderers brought to justice.

"His credibility as an elected representative, Sinn Fein party leader and self-appointed leader of republicanism, is once again in the gutter.

"So much for the Sinn Fein mantra of rights, equality and respect. They are hollow words when set against the pile of corpses left behind by the IRA."

(CD)