Other News In Brief

Around 90 Jobs To Go At NIE

Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE) is to reportedly axe around 90 jobs amid "efficiency" plans for the business.

Sinn Fein MLA Cathal Boylan has called for a meeting with the firm to discuss the need to safeguard the welfare of workers.

He said: "Whatever the outcome of this, the lives and livelihoods of employees must be protected."

SDLP Tables Motion Calling For Suicide Prevention Signage

SDLP North Belfast Councillor Paul McCusker has tabled a proposal at Belfast City Council's People and Communities Committee to erect new signage at Cavehill with contact details for suicide prevention charities.

He said: "Unfortunately places like Cavehill in North Belfast are becoming areas that those experiencing depression or suicidal thoughts turn to in very dark and difficult times.

"Following the tragic deaths of Dean McIlwaine last year and Michael Cullen this year, it's important that we all do whatever we can to prevent further tragedy falling on families in this city.

"One small way of offering support to those in acute need would be to erect signs throughout Cavehill offering hope and practical support for those in distress. The contact numbers of organisations working tirelessly to support those with mental health issues should be signposted in the area. If it saves even one life, it'll be worth the effort."

UUP Welcomes Hyde Park Justice Campaign Announcement

Former Ulster Unionist MP, Danny Kinahan, has welcomed the announcement that the Hyde Park Justice Campaign has been granted legal aid to fund a case against the chief suspect in the murders of their loved ones.

Mr Kinahan, who was a former colleague of the soldiers who were murdered in Hyde Park on 20 July 1982 by the Provisional IRA, said: "The granting of legal aid to the Hyde Park Justice Campaign is fantastic news, but it should have happened a lot sooner. The families of my murdered colleagues have been put through hell. Firstly they lost their loved ones, stolen from them in the prime of their lives. Then they suffered the pain of the farce of the trial of John Downey being thrown out because of one of the despicable on-the-run letters. And finally they have had to endure being put through the wringer by the Legal Aid Agency who repeatedly refused their application for Legal Aid.

"I am glad that common sense has finally taken hold and the Legal Aid Agency has reversed its previous decisions. It was obscene that the chief suspect was granted legal aid, yet the families of those murdered were granted none. It was a stain on our justice system. I hope that lessons will be learned so that never again will the innocent victims and their families be abandoned by those in positions of power and authority."

(CD)