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14/06/2023
Other News In Brief
Family Of Sean Brown Must Not Be Denied Justice – SDLP
The family of Sean Brown must not be denied justice, SDLP Mid Ulster MLA Patsy McGlone has said.
He was speaking after attending the inquest of Mr Brown on Tuesday amid concerns it could be prevented from proceeding due to the British government's Legacy Bill.
Mr McGlone welcomed the coroner's urging for all sensitive material to be brought forward so that the inquest can proceed within the time allowed.
Mid Ulster MLA Mr McGlone said: "It's absolutely disgraceful that a family that has been fighting for 26 years for justice for their murdered husband and father and seeking the truth around what happened to him could be denied the opportunity to proceed with this inquest due to the British government's ill-conceived and self-serving legacy legislation.
"My heart goes out to the Brown family after what they have endured. Not only were they forced to fight for decades to secure this inquest, but they have been met with repeated obstacles in the form of constant delays and the failure of state agencies to provide the relevant evidence. I welcome the coroner's urging for all the relevant material to be disclosed so the inquest can be held within the time available and the PSNI must cooperate with the inquest in full.
"This situation lays bare the damage that the British government's Legacy Bill will cause, not only to the family of Sean Brown, but to families across these islands who had their loved ones taken by paramilitaries and state forces. I would urge those with influence, including in the Irish Government, to make it clear that they will challenge this legislation. We cannot let the British government close down investigations to protect their own interests and deprive families like Sean Brown's of the truth and justice they have fought so hard for."
Alliance Calls For Action On Long-term Community Fund Cuts
Halving the long-term community fund will have a serious impact on community relations, Alliance Executive Office spokesperson Nuala McAllister MLA has said.
The Central Good Relations Fund from the Executive Office supports the community and voluntary sector to provide good relations programmes. It is due to have its funding cut by 50 per cent, which North Belfast MLA Ms McAllister said was an extremely disappointing move.
"The Central Good Relations Fund carries out vital work in helping build a united community," she said.
"It is therefore extremely disappointing it is now due to receive a funding cut of up to 50 per cent. That is particularly disappointing, given this programme focuses on long-term work. Meanwhile short-term, reactionary interventions such as summer diversionary programmes have been left unaffected.
"I appreciate every Department has difficult budgetary decisions to make at present thanks to the absence of an Executive. However, the focus should remain on strengthening sustainable and positive relationships across our community.
"The Central Good Relations Fund is a proven way to do that. Slicing its funding in half will have a serious impact on community relations and I have written to the Executive Office Permanent Secretary urging a serious reconsideration of priorities before any final decision is taken."
Decision To Cut School Sports Funding 'Deeply Concerning'
Sinn Féin has hit out at the decision to end the funding for the primary schools' sports programme.
MLA Aisling Reilly said: "It is deeply concerning that the funding for the primary schools' sports programme is to be cut.
"This is a vital sports programme delivered by GAA and IFA coaches to over 200 schools and over 24,000 children across the north.
"These coaches deliver much-needed physical education lessons and ensured pupils were at least getting some form of physical activity throughout the week.
"Physical activity has been proven to help children and young people both physically and mentally.
"This is yet another consequence of immoral and indefensible Tory cuts that has decimated our public services and is punishing children and young people.
"The British government must end the cycle of cuts and properly invest in our education system.
"We also need an Executive established now so that local parties can support our children and young people."
The family of Sean Brown must not be denied justice, SDLP Mid Ulster MLA Patsy McGlone has said.
He was speaking after attending the inquest of Mr Brown on Tuesday amid concerns it could be prevented from proceeding due to the British government's Legacy Bill.
Mr McGlone welcomed the coroner's urging for all sensitive material to be brought forward so that the inquest can proceed within the time allowed.
Mid Ulster MLA Mr McGlone said: "It's absolutely disgraceful that a family that has been fighting for 26 years for justice for their murdered husband and father and seeking the truth around what happened to him could be denied the opportunity to proceed with this inquest due to the British government's ill-conceived and self-serving legacy legislation.
"My heart goes out to the Brown family after what they have endured. Not only were they forced to fight for decades to secure this inquest, but they have been met with repeated obstacles in the form of constant delays and the failure of state agencies to provide the relevant evidence. I welcome the coroner's urging for all the relevant material to be disclosed so the inquest can be held within the time available and the PSNI must cooperate with the inquest in full.
"This situation lays bare the damage that the British government's Legacy Bill will cause, not only to the family of Sean Brown, but to families across these islands who had their loved ones taken by paramilitaries and state forces. I would urge those with influence, including in the Irish Government, to make it clear that they will challenge this legislation. We cannot let the British government close down investigations to protect their own interests and deprive families like Sean Brown's of the truth and justice they have fought so hard for."
Alliance Calls For Action On Long-term Community Fund Cuts
Halving the long-term community fund will have a serious impact on community relations, Alliance Executive Office spokesperson Nuala McAllister MLA has said.
The Central Good Relations Fund from the Executive Office supports the community and voluntary sector to provide good relations programmes. It is due to have its funding cut by 50 per cent, which North Belfast MLA Ms McAllister said was an extremely disappointing move.
"The Central Good Relations Fund carries out vital work in helping build a united community," she said.
"It is therefore extremely disappointing it is now due to receive a funding cut of up to 50 per cent. That is particularly disappointing, given this programme focuses on long-term work. Meanwhile short-term, reactionary interventions such as summer diversionary programmes have been left unaffected.
"I appreciate every Department has difficult budgetary decisions to make at present thanks to the absence of an Executive. However, the focus should remain on strengthening sustainable and positive relationships across our community.
"The Central Good Relations Fund is a proven way to do that. Slicing its funding in half will have a serious impact on community relations and I have written to the Executive Office Permanent Secretary urging a serious reconsideration of priorities before any final decision is taken."
Decision To Cut School Sports Funding 'Deeply Concerning'
Sinn Féin has hit out at the decision to end the funding for the primary schools' sports programme.
MLA Aisling Reilly said: "It is deeply concerning that the funding for the primary schools' sports programme is to be cut.
"This is a vital sports programme delivered by GAA and IFA coaches to over 200 schools and over 24,000 children across the north.
"These coaches deliver much-needed physical education lessons and ensured pupils were at least getting some form of physical activity throughout the week.
"Physical activity has been proven to help children and young people both physically and mentally.
"This is yet another consequence of immoral and indefensible Tory cuts that has decimated our public services and is punishing children and young people.
"The British government must end the cycle of cuts and properly invest in our education system.
"We also need an Executive established now so that local parties can support our children and young people."
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Rain clearing away east by early evening with some clear spells but a few showers likely to affect the North coast and other areas towards dawn, remaining breezy and mild overnight. Minimum temperature 9 °C.
