Other News In Brief

ABP Food Group To Invest £22m In Green Energy Plant

ABP Food Group, which operates a large plant in Newry, is to invest £22million in a green energy plant will produce enough sustainable energy to power the equivalent of 12,000 homes.

ABP's renewables division, Olleco, has just opened the new 15 MW Anaerobic Digestion facility in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire.

The ABP Food Group facility is located adjacent to the Arla dairy, allowing the dairy to become a zero carbon milk processing facility.

Robert Behan, MD of Olleco, said the new facility, is an excellent example of the circular economy in action, with multiple supply chain partners working together to deliver a truly sustainable outcome.

He said: "This state of the art Olleco facility will convert in excess of 100,000 tonnes of waste into heat, power and bio-methane for export to the national grid, and bio-fertiliser for both of ABP Food Group's and Arla’s farmer suppliers.

"Sustainability is a key priority right across the ABP Food Group. The company has invested and implemented innovative sustainability measures that are world class, trail blazing and meet the exceptionally high targets – to reduce the environmental footprint of our business – we have set ourselves."

Alliance Reports Spotlight Allegations To The PSNI

Alliance North Down Councillor Andrew Muir has reported to police allegations the UDA held a meeting at a community centre in North Down.

The claims, which were brought to light earlier this week on BBC's Spotlight programme, alleged a meeting at which self-confessed UDA commander Dee Stitt was present was also attended by DUP Councillor Wesley Irvine, who allegedly handed out DUP leaflets and voter registration forms in the run-up to the General Election in June.

Councillor Muir has also referred Alderman Irvine to the Local Government Commissioner for Standards, as the allegations would be against the Code of Conduct for Councillors if proven.

Councillor Muir has also made an independent complaint over the alleged use of the Council premises.

"I have reported to PSNI my concerns after this week's Spotlight programme, particularly around the allegation the UDA held a meeting in Bangor earlier this year at which Dee Stitt, who has publicly stated he is a commander in the UDA, attended. Further to this, allegations were made on the programme Alderman Irvine attended, seeking political and electoral support.

"I have therefore also referred Alderman Irvine to the Local Government Commissioner to ask them to investigate his alleged presence at the meeting, which has been claimed to be a meeting of the UDA's 'North Down battalion.' It is vital this situation is probed immediately and Alderman Irvine answers the questions raised by it."

"Alderman Irvine and any of his colleagues, or indeed anyone else who attended that meeting, have a moral and legal imperative to tell the authorities who else was there, and have them make a determination whether any further action should be taken."

UUP Condemns Arson attacks On Cars In Cookstown

Cookstown Ulster Unionist Councillor, Trevor Wilson, has condemned those who carried out an arson attack on cars belonging to flute band members in Cookstown.

Councillor Wilson said: "This is another disgusting attack in the Mid Ulster Council area and should be categorically condemned. Members of Sons of William Flute Band were attending a concert in Carrickfergus on Saturday night and on their return home discovered that one of their cars had been burnt out and an attempt was made to burn another one. Its back windscreen was smashed and an attempt was made to set it on fire.

"I have contacted the police who are treating it as a hate crime. At a time when we hear a lot of people talking about respect and rights, the people who carried out this attack obviously don't believe in it. I would appeal for anyone who has any information to please call the police."

(CD)