Other News In Brief

Executive Needed To Recruit New Doctors

Sinn Féin has called for the Executive to be urgently reformed to start recruiting doctors to address shortages and help ensure people can see their GP.

Making the call, Colm Gildernew said: "It's deeply concerning that Priory GP surgery may be forced to close its doors in February 2023 due a lack of doctors.

"This news will come as a particular blow to the patients who depend on this surgery, particularly vulnerable and elderly people who now face uncertainty on the future of services.

"The Department of Health must now step in and explore solutions to retain this essential service at the heart of the community.

"We need to tackle the problems facing our health service and ensure people can see a GP when they need one by getting the Executive up and running today to invest an extra £1 billion in our health service to recruit more doctors to tackle shortages and lengthy waiting lists.

"The people suffering from the DUP's boycott of the Assembly and Executive are those patients stuck on a waiting list and those struggling to see their doctor.

"We are ready to get around the table with others today to do the job we are elected to do, that means making health a priority and working to fix the problems in our health service."

Major Ballycastle Roadworks Get Underway

A major roadworks scheme in Ballycastle has gotten underway today, Monday 08 August.

The works, an investment of £191,000, will extend for a distance of approximately 0.55 kilometres and will greatly improve the strength and surface quality of the road.

To facilitate the works, it will be necessary to operate a road closure between the hours of 7.30 am and 6.00 pm from Monday 8 August 2022 until Wednesday 17 August 2022. During these times diversions will be in place via:

• A2 Diversion: Castle Street - Leyland Road; and

Moyle Road Diversion: Leyland Road - Castle / Anne Street - Rathlin Road - Atlantic Avenue.

The Department has carefully planned these road works and associated traffic management arrangements in order to minimise inconvenience to the public. Road users are advised to allow extra time for their journey and to follow the alternative routes which will be clearly signed on the approaches to the closure.

Completion of the work by 17 August 2022 is dependent on favourable weather conditions. The Department will keep the public informed of any change. All work will be carried out in line with current public health and health and safety advice, with safe systems of working in place for staff and contractors

Men Charged In Connection With Hijacking Tesco Delivery Van

Two men have been charged in connection with the hijacking of a Tesco delivery van from Newtownards.

According to reports, the van was taken from the Georges Street area and driven through Dundonald and Holywood, coliding with other vehicles along its routes. The delivery van was eventually stopped on the Syndenham Bypass in Belfast by police using a stinger device.

The men, aged 39 and 23, have both been charged with a number of offences – including hijacking, dangerous driving and disorderly behaviour.

Both will appear before Downpatrick Magistrates' Court today.