Appeal For Information Following Lisburn Burglary

Police have appealed for information after a report of a burglary at a residential property in Lisburn was received yesterday (17 June).

Numerous suspects were reported to police after a man approached the house in the Barnfield Manor area before gaining entry, encountering an occupant and fleeing.

Detective Inspector McCartan explained: "Upon encountering the occupant, the man fled the scene along with three other suspects in a dark coloured hatchback vehicle. It was then observed that a door had been smashed in order for entry to be gained.

"The suspects are described as slim build, with three wearing black hooded tops and dark bottoms and one wearing a light blue hooded top. 

"An investigation is underway, and we are appealing to anyone with any information which might assist us to get in touch."

DUP Question RVH Fire Safety

DUP has raised concerns over fire safety at the Royal Victoria Hospital (RVH) in Belfast after issues were highlighted by the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service.

Speaking after quizzing Health Minister Mike Nesbitt, DUP Health Spokesperson Diane Dodds MLA said: "The Minister has confirmed that NIFRS has raised significant fire safety issues at the Royal Victoria Hospital including patient beds blocking emergency fire exits. These problems have not emerged in the last few days, and I understand concerns have extended back at least a couple of years.

"The RVH is our largest hospital with many of Northern Ireland's regional services. These revelations raise questions over patient and staff safety, and the potential impact on the delivery of acute services and waiting times."

The Upper Bann Assembly Member also requested to know "when the Department and Minister were aware of these issues and what actions have been taken in response," as well as if concerns "extend beyond simply the access to fire exits".

SDLP Urges Parents To Intervene After More Disorder

SDLP's Colum Eastwood MP has condemned another night of disorder in Derry city which "put local people in danger, caused unnecessary stress for elderly residents and now threatens to haunt the future of young people who were sucked into violence."

It was the second night of disorder which impacted the Nailor's Row area and now the SDLP MP has appealed to parents in the city to sit down with their children and "explain how getting caught up in disorder can have a lasting impact on their prospects as well as inflicting harm on the community."

Colum Eastwood MP said: "It's the last thing that anyone in the city wants or needs and it needs to stop before someone is seriously hurt or worse.

"Elderly people living in nearby Alexander House were left worried and distressed about what was happening around their homes. They don't want or deserve that.

"The last thing that any of us wants is for young people in Derry to throw away their futures for a moment of madness. I’m urging parents to sit down with their kids today, talk to them about this and about the violence across the North over the last week. Explain to them the impact that it has on our community, the danger they're putting themselves in and the serious risk that a criminal conviction will follow and have a lasting impact on their lives."

Eastwood also highlighted the "good community work going on" to minimise the disorder, referencing the know "first class outreach and engagement workers that are trying to give young people an alternative to this".