L'Derry Shooting Sparks 'Disgust' In Community

Alliance Councillors in L'Derry have hit out at those behind a shooting in the city on Tuesday evening, 08 October.

A man was shot in the foot when two masked men entered a house in Margaret Street in the Waterside area of the city. One opened fire with a handgun, leaving the 30-year-old requiring hospital treatment for his injuries.

"I am relieved no-one was killed in this incident," said Councillor Philip McKinney.

"There is disgust right across the city at the news guns have once again been brought onto our streets, particularly in a residential area. There is no excuse for this kind of act and I utterly condemn it."

A total of five people were in the property at the time. Police said they have each been left shaken by the ordeal.

Councillor Rachael Ferguson added: "Those who carried this out represent nobody and are not welcome here. It is difficult to understand the mentality of those who show such a callous disregard for life, as we could easily be talking this morning about someone being killed.

"If anyone has any information on this incident, I urge them to take it to police immediately so those responsible can be taken off the streets."

Leisure And Recreational Facilities Upgraded In Aghalee

The County Antrim village of Aghalee has seen a series of upgrades delivered across its leisure and recreational facilities.

Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council (LCCC) completed the works as part of phase one of the Village Improvement Scheme.

This phase of work focused on improving the current leisure and recreational facilities in the village to create a shared space for the whole community. These improvements include a new looped pathway around the football pitch to appeal to avid walkers in the village and the installation of railings around the football pitch and play park. Outdoor gym equipment for people of all abilities has also been introduced at the entrance of the park.

The scheme is being delivered by LCCC and under Priority 6 (LEADER) of the Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) and the European Union.

Alderman Allan Ewart MBE, Chair of the council's Development Committee and Chair of Lagan Rural Partnership Local Action Group, said: "I'm delighted to see phase one of the works completed. The improvements look excellent and have really helped towards making Aghalee a more inclusive area for residents and visitors. I look forward to seeing plans for phase two coming to fruition and for the transformation of the Aghalee area to be complete."

Plans for phase two of the scheme are nearing completion and will deliver an improved look and feel across the heart of the entire village. They include introducing traffic calming measures, such as speed bumps, and the resurfacing of footpaths however, consultations with statutory bodies for this phase are ongoing.

Construction on phase two is expected to start in 2020.

Council Urges Participation In Ulster-Scots Language Week

Derry City and Strabane District Council will be participating in the first Ulster-Scots Language Week next month, and local residents are encouraged to get involved.

The new initiative, led by the Ulster-Scots Agency, aims to promote awareness and appreciation of the Ulster-Scots language. It will take place from Monday 25 – Saturday 30 November.

The Council is currently in the process of collating information from groups and organisations throughout the Council area who may be running events during Ulster-Scots Language Week for inclusion in their calendar of events for the week.

Pól Ó Frighil, Policy Officer, said it was an initiative that the council were delighted to support.

"Derry City and Strabane District Council is delighted to be taking part in, and helping to promote, the first Ulster-Scots Language Week.

"This week-long event represents a great opportunity for us to celebrate the Ulster-Scots language which, along with Irish, is one of the indigenous languages of the region.

"UNESCO has also declared this year to be International Year of Indigenous Languages, so any opportunity to promote awareness of our shared linguistic heritage is to be welcomed and we would encourage any groups, communities or organisations with an interest in Ulster-Scots to take part."



(JG/CM)