Detectives Investigate Aggravated Belfast Burglary

Police are appealing for information after an aggravated burglary in north Belfast on the afternoon of Friday 01 March.

A house in Summerhill Court was targeted by two men, one of whom was armed with a firearm shortly before 12.30pm.

Detective Sergeant Gill said: "Two females who were inside the property were threatened but were not injured. It is not believed that anything was taken during the incident and enquiries are continuing.

"We would appeal to anyone who witnessed anything suspicious in the area to contact detectives on 101, quoting reference number 589 2/3/19. Alternatively, information can also be provided to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 which is 100% anonymous and gives people the power to speak up and stop crime."

Alliance Back Calls For One Million New Trees For Belfast

Alliance Councillor Michael Long is supporting the call for a million new trees for Belfast - a proposal put forward by Belfast Metropolitan Resident Group.

Set to second a motion at a council meeting tonight, 04 March, the plan will build on the amount of new trees already pledged in the Draft Belfast Local Development Plan.

Councillor Michael Long said: "I'm delighted to be backing a plan determined to enhance our natural environment, making it more sustainable for generations to come.

"Planting more trees will not only have the benefit of making areas look better at first glance, but can also help us meet our carbon neutral aims, as well as creating a better habitat for wildlife and promote physical and mental benefits to local people.

"I hope all Councillors can get behind this plan, allowing Council to interact fully in driving this forward."

Enniskillen Conference To Celebrate Influential Women

Fermanagh and Omagh District Council has organised a conference to celebrate International Women's Day, Friday 08 March, by exploring the lives of key influential women in history.

The event, a partnership with the Rural Community Network and NI Rural Women's Network will highlight what everyday life was like for ordinary women from 1912-1922 and the valuable contribution they made to society.

It will feature contributions from guest speakers Dr Alexandra Tierney, a PhD graduate and research fellow at Trinity College, Dublin who specialises in women studies and Maureen Hetherington, who has spent her career in community relations, from The Junction, a Community Resource and Peace Building Initiative based in L'Derry.

Speaking ahead of the conference, Dr Tierney said: "This International Women's Day event looks at the dramatic changes women experienced in the ten year period from 1912-1922. Throughout this period, women advocated for the right to vote, maintained the home front during the Great War, carved a new role for themselves in Irish politics, and took an active role in the new states after partition. This event will focus on the familiar names of Countess Markievicz, Lady Londonderry, and others, as well as focusing on how the 'average' woman experienced the critical changes in this remarkable decade."



(JG/CM)