Appeal Following Petrol Bomb Attack In Ballymena

Detectives are appealing for information following a petrol bomb attack in Ballymena yesterday evening, Monday 20th January.

Shortly after 11.15pm, it was reported that a brick had been thrown through the window of a property in the Inchcolm Avenue area followed by a petrol bomb.

Damage was caused to the inside of the apartment, however no one was injured.

Detective Sergeant Crothers said:

"This is being treated as arson with intent to endanger life and I’m appealing to anyone who may have witnessed anyone suspicious in the area or to anyone with CCTV, doorbell or other footage that could assist enquiries, is asked to contact detectives on 101 quoting reference 1818 20/01/25."

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/

Greens Welcomes Rejection Of UUP Anti-Trans Motion

The Green Party has welcomed the Assembly's rejection of the UUP's "anti-trans" motion.

Green Party Councillor Anthony Flynn said "I am glad that today's stunt by the Ulster Unionist Party has rightly failed to gain any traction in the assembly. The motion put forward by Doug Beattie in relation to Trans prisoners in the prison system is a distraction technique. LGBTQ people have been promised a strategy to address the inequalities our community faces since 2007. After 18 years we are still waiting. Progress on LGBTQ equality has come through the courts or the UK Government rather than our own local Assembly."

Councillor Flynn continued: "LGBTQ people experience hate crime, significant health inequalities in terms of mental health, sexual health, substance use, risk of homelessness and these inequalities are made worse by intolerance and inequality. That’s what the Assembly should be addressing, not stoking up culture wars for cheap politicking."

Alliance Welcomes Removal Of Portadown Peace Wall

The Alliance Party has welcomed the dismantling of a legacy interface structure in the Water Street area of Portadown, with Upper Bann MLA Eóin Tennyson hailing it as a "significant step towards achieving a more united community".

Tennyson welcomed the work led by the Department of Justice in collaboration with the local community and Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, which saw the 3m-tall peace wall removed.

A local developer is planning to regenerate and redevelop the derelict site.

Mr Tennyson has said: "We all want to be part of a community that's respectful and inclusive, and where people can live and work free of barriers, whether they be mental or physical.

"The removal of the Water Street interface, which has stood for 27 years, is a really welcome and encouraging step forward towards achieving the united community we should all be striving for.

"I'd like to pay tribute to both my colleague Justice Minister Naomi Long in paving the way for such a significant development and her ongoing commitment to tackling division in our society, and local residents and community organisations who have been pivotal in bringing us to this point.

"The project is particularly exciting in the context of the proposed redevelopment of Water Street, and I hope this will be a precursor to wider regeneration in the area."