Other News In Brief

Appeal For Information After Car Set On Fire In South Belfast

The PSNI have issued an appeal for information and witnesses after a car was set on fire in south Belfast.

Making the appeal, Sergeant Earley said: "Officers received a report at approximately 9pm on Thursday, 25th April that a vehicle, parked in the vicinity of Stewart Street, had been completely burnt out.

"On officers' arrival the fire had already been extinguished by our colleagues from the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service.

"Thankfully, no injuries were reported as a result of the deliberate ignition, which we are treating as arson. However, irreversible damage was caused to the car.

"We believe the vehicle was set alight sometime after 5.30pm and before the report was made to police yesterday evening.

"Enquiries are continuing and anyone with information including CCTV, dash-cam, or other footage of the area that could help our investigation is asked to contact police on 101, quoting reference number 1773 25/04/24."

Alternatively, you can submit a report online using the non-emergency reporting form via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/

You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org/

UUP Candidate Tim Collins Calls On Alliance To 'Respect War Veterans'

The Ulster Unionist Party has called on Alliance to "respect war veterans", after the party's councillors on Ards and North Down Council held a call-in vote on flying Union flags on war memorials, North Down UUP candidate Tim Collins said: "The flag should fly proudly over the memorials across the Borough which recognise and give thanks to all of those who have given their lives in the service of their country.

"I have stood beside enough flag-draped coffins to know how important it is for veterans and their families, friends and colleagues. The Union flag represents those remembered on the monuments of all faiths.

"I call on the current Alliance Member of Parliament to intervene and have his Alliance colleagues reverse this offensive call which does nothing but undermine the recognition our war heroes deserve." New History And Heritage Public Archive Opened In Belfast

A combined public archive bringing together several thousand years of Northern Ireland's history and heritage has been officially unveiled in Belfast.

Communities Minister Gordon Lyons officially opened the new shared space for the Historic Environment Record of Northern Ireland (HERoNI) at 2 Titanic Boulevard.

HERoNI is now co-locating with the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI), utilising a purpose-built archive centre in the heart of the Titanic Quarter. HERoNI holds information on all elements of Northern Ireland's historic environment in the form of databases, written records, maps, photographic, drawn and digital material.

Communities Minister Gordon Lyons visited PRONI this week and viewed some of the HERoNI archives.

Minister Lyons said: "This is a welcome co-location bringing together two archives into one purpose-built centre in the Titanic Quarter. This move combines these two important archives under one roof, housing a wealth of Northern Ireland's history and heritage. In doing so, it will facilitate ease of access for the public and provide a comprehensive resource for interested researchers.

"The HERoNI archives hold information on thousands of years of Northern Ireland's historic environment. A taster of what is on offer includes records, images and drawings relating to archaeological sites, listed buildings, Industrial and defence heritage, to name but a few.

"I would encourage anyone interested in history to visit and explore the HERoNI and PRONI historic documents."

Over the past 12 months, HERONI archivists have been carrying out the extensive task of documenting and transporting all the items held in their collections.

HERoNI also brought along its library, a fantastic resource with publications covering all aspects of Northern Ireland's historic environment. This is the first time that the library will be open for public browsing.

You can visit a special exhibition which is showcasing some of the fascinating collections held in HERoNI.

These include:

• artefacts excavated from Deer Park Farm;

• an early Medieval rath in County Antrim;

• designs from local stained glass firm 'Clokey's Belfast', which was in operation from the mid1800s until the 1970s;

• the reconstructed Donaghmore high cross standing at over five metres tall.