19/06/2014

Other News In Brief

Housing Banners Treated As Hate Crime

Banners erected at an east Belfast home into which a Nigerian man was due to move into are being treated as a hate crime by police.

34-year-old Michael Abiona arrived at his new home at Glenluce Drive in east Belfast on Tuesday only to find posters reading "Local Houses 4 Local People".

The Housing Executive is also treating it as "racial intimidation", but First Minister Peter Robinson has said he does not believe the incident can be described as racist.

Boy Attacked In 'Sectarian Hate Crime'

An attack on a 16-year-old boy in which he was shot with a pellet gun in west Belfast is being treated as a sectarian hate crime by police.

The attack happened on Wednesday night at the site of the former Mackies factory in west Belfast.

The boy, Jamie Bickerstaff, was beaten and kicked before being shot at with the pellet gun.

He was attacked by a number of young people in the Woodvale area after visiting Catholic friends in the Lagmore estate.

Work Begins At Lurgan Primary School

Work has begun at the site of St Teresa's Primary School, Lurgan.

Education Minister John O'Dowd said: "I am delighted to be here today to officially launch the beginning of construction of new school accommodation for St Teresa's.

"The school, which was built in the 1960s, was identified as a priority for a new build in June 2012. The new seven-class school will be built on the existing site and will provide much needed and improved accommodation for the children of the area."

The Department of Education has invested £3.9m into the project.

NI Water, Belfast Harbour Chairs Sought

The search has begun for Chairs for the Boards of NI Water and Belfast Harbour Commissioners.

The appointments will be made by the Minister for Regional Development. The Department for Regional Development said Minister Danny Kennedy is looking for "more women, younger people, people with disabilities and ethnic minorities to apply for public appointments."

(IT/JP)

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