Other News In Brief

Alliance Selects Eastwood For Potential General Election

Alliance has announced Castlereagh South Councillor Sorcha Eastwood to stand in the Lagan Valley constituency in any potential Westminster election.

Ms Eastwood, who was elected to Lisburn Castlereagh Council in May, said an election would be a "two-horse race" in the area between Alliance and the DUP.

Ultimately, she believed her running will be an "important opportunity for people of the constituency to show their opposition to a no deal Brexit".

The Democratic Unionist Party's Sir Jeffrey Donaldson is the current MP for the area, holding the position since 1997.

Ms Eastwood said: "Alliance is a Remain party but no matter what way you voted, nobody wants to see a no deal Brexit that jeopardises jobs, livelihoods and future opportunities.

"Despite the majority of people in Northern Ireland rejecting no deal, the Conservative Government and their partners in the DUP have failed to remove that as an option. This election is a chance for people to tell them they don't want to see that possibility happening and in Lagan Valley, the only credible Remain, united community party is Alliance.

"I, alongside my Alliance colleagues, have worked hard across Lagan Valley and that was reflected in the Alliance surge in May. Alliance candidates topped the poll in every constituency we stood here, returning nine Councillors to Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council. If those elections showed anything, it's if people come together and vote Alliance, they will get effective Alliance representation. The result of this election is not a foregone conclusion for Lagan Valley and this year's surge of support in the Council and European Elections shows Alliance can take this seat.

"I listen to what people say they want from their politicians – they want honesty and clarity, and are fed up with orange and green politics. Alliance are a united community party that bring people together and offer the only credible alternative to the DUP in Lagan Valley."

Co Antrim Firm Fined £20k As Man Loses Arm

A £20,000 fine has been issued after a employee of Co Antrim company McGuckian Milling lost his arm while using company machinery.

The incident happened in the blending plant at the animal feed manufacturing site. The injured party noticed a blockage had occurred at a holding bin, and when attempting to rectify the issue had his left arm amputated by a screw auger conveyor.

Brian McGuckian, trading as McGuckian Milling Company, pled guilty to two health and safety breaches at Antrim Crown Court.

HSENI Inspector Gavin Rowan said: "The investigation found that Brian McGuckian failed to provide adequate information, instruction and training for the operation, use and maintenance of the work equipment. The investigation also found there was a lack of adequate guarding on the screw auger conveyor.

"Employers must ensure that all machinery is adequately guarded and that their employees are trained and competent to operate machinery. This injury was preventable, and the risk from the unguarded machine should have been identified. Employers should make sure that they properly assess and apply effective control measures to minimise the risk from dangerous parts of machinery."

Appeal As Refrigeration Trailer Stolen In Co Antrim

Police have issued an appeal after a Chereau refrigeration trailer was stolen in Co Antrim.

The trailer was taken sometime around 10.45pm on Sunday 06 October from a business unit in Toome Business Park on the Creagh Road, between Toomebridge and Magherafelt.

Police said the vehicle would likely have been visible while reversed onto the Creagh Road, before it was driven towards Magherafelt.

Anyone who can assist with the investigation is urged to contact police on 101, quoting reference 496 of 07/10/19.



(JG)