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12/01/2024
Other News In Brief
SF Calls for Immediate Action To Address 'Intolerable' Cancer Service Waiting Times
Sinn Féin has called for the immediate restoration of the Assembly and Executive to address Northern Ireland's "intolerable" cancer service waiting times.
Speaking as latest cancer waiting time figures for the north were released on Thursday, the party's health spokesperson, MLA Linda Dillon, said: "Cancer patients are being failed time and time again with no Assembly or Executive in place to tackle chronic and worsening waiting lists or to implement the cancer strategy.
"Those with less survivable cancers, such as stomach, pancreatic and lung cancer, are not being diagnosed in time, and in the worst cases, are dying prematurely.
"This is absolutely intolerable and unacceptable, and must not be allowed to continue.
"Patients are crying out for an Executive to tackle waiting lists and to ultimately help save their lives. They need help now.
"It is decision time for the DUP. They should return to the Assembly and Executive with the rest of the parties and begin work to tackle health waiting lists and to fix our health service.
"Patients on health waiting lists cannot wait any longer."
Drugs And Medication Worth £450,000 Seized Across Belfast
Drugs and medication worth an estimated £450,000 have been seized in joint PSNI and UK Border Force operations in north and east Belfast.
Searches were conducted at four addresses on Thursday, 11 January by the PSNI's Organised Crime Unit, supported by Neighbourhood officers and members of the TSG.
A 34-year-old man has been arrested and is being interviewed by Detectives in relation to a substantial seizure.
Detective Inspector Kelly said: "A large quantity of these drugs appear to have been imported from outside the EU and bear all the hallmarks of being counterfeit and as such are not licenced for human consumption in the UK or EU. The majority are labelled as 300mg Pregabalin which is a strong dose.
"However their exact content may not be what is described on the packaging. If you purchase and consume these drugs not only are you funding organised criminal gangs activities, you are effectively playing Russian roulette with your own life.
"Sadly in recent times a number of people have lost their lives to consumption of medication similar to this or mixing with other medications. Drug dealers do not care about people's lives, they just want easy cash.
"The Police Service of Northern Ireland, working closely with other Organised Crime Task Force partners are committed to removing dangerous drugs from our streets. I have no doubt lives will have been saved through the removal of these particular drugs.
"I would ask if anyone has any information about suspected drug dealing in their area to call the non-emergency number 101. Alternatively, information can also be given anonymously to the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.
"Anyone who thinks they might have a problem with alcohol and/or drugs and would like to get help can visit www.drugsandalcoholni.info. This also includes details of services available for individuals affected by someone else's drinking and/or drug misuse."
Alliance Concerned About Impact Of New Breed-Specific Law
The Alliance Party have expressed their concern that a new breed-specific law in England and Wales will impact animal welfare in Northern Ireland.
The government announced the ban on October 31 in response to a notable increase in dog attacks during the 2022/23 period. The new law, effective as of December 31, prohibits the purchase, sale, breeding, and giving away of American XL Bully (AXLB) breed dogs throughout England and Wales. From February 1, ownership of an AXLB is illegal unless the owner has applied for an exemption.
However, the breed-specific legislation will not extend to Northern Ireland, raising concerns about the potential for an influx of AXLB dog abandonment due to the lack of regulations.
South Down MLA and the party's Animal Welfare spokesperson, Patrick Brown, said: "Breed-specific legislation is not an effective solution to the issues at hand, and fails to address the root cause of dog attacks, which are more often linked to poor dog ownership and breeding practices rather than the specific breed of the dog.
"For example, despite the introduction of the Dangerous Dogs Act in 1991, which banned four specific breeds in the UK, the number of dog attacks has increased.
"As there is currently no functioning Executive, there is no immediate legislative action able to be taken to prevent the potential mass dumping of AXLB dogs in Northern Ireland, or NI becoming an unintended back channel for owners or breeders seeking to avoid the ban. In fact, I am already hearing reports of this happening in our shelters. There are already pre-existing pressures on animal shelters and welfare organisations due to funding cuts and increased running costs, and we simply cannot afford any further burden. We need Stormont restored urgently to address these challenges."
Sinn Féin has called for the immediate restoration of the Assembly and Executive to address Northern Ireland's "intolerable" cancer service waiting times.
Speaking as latest cancer waiting time figures for the north were released on Thursday, the party's health spokesperson, MLA Linda Dillon, said: "Cancer patients are being failed time and time again with no Assembly or Executive in place to tackle chronic and worsening waiting lists or to implement the cancer strategy.
"Those with less survivable cancers, such as stomach, pancreatic and lung cancer, are not being diagnosed in time, and in the worst cases, are dying prematurely.
"This is absolutely intolerable and unacceptable, and must not be allowed to continue.
"Patients are crying out for an Executive to tackle waiting lists and to ultimately help save their lives. They need help now.
"It is decision time for the DUP. They should return to the Assembly and Executive with the rest of the parties and begin work to tackle health waiting lists and to fix our health service.
"Patients on health waiting lists cannot wait any longer."
Drugs And Medication Worth £450,000 Seized Across Belfast
Drugs and medication worth an estimated £450,000 have been seized in joint PSNI and UK Border Force operations in north and east Belfast.
Searches were conducted at four addresses on Thursday, 11 January by the PSNI's Organised Crime Unit, supported by Neighbourhood officers and members of the TSG.
A 34-year-old man has been arrested and is being interviewed by Detectives in relation to a substantial seizure.
Detective Inspector Kelly said: "A large quantity of these drugs appear to have been imported from outside the EU and bear all the hallmarks of being counterfeit and as such are not licenced for human consumption in the UK or EU. The majority are labelled as 300mg Pregabalin which is a strong dose.
"However their exact content may not be what is described on the packaging. If you purchase and consume these drugs not only are you funding organised criminal gangs activities, you are effectively playing Russian roulette with your own life.
"Sadly in recent times a number of people have lost their lives to consumption of medication similar to this or mixing with other medications. Drug dealers do not care about people's lives, they just want easy cash.
"The Police Service of Northern Ireland, working closely with other Organised Crime Task Force partners are committed to removing dangerous drugs from our streets. I have no doubt lives will have been saved through the removal of these particular drugs.
"I would ask if anyone has any information about suspected drug dealing in their area to call the non-emergency number 101. Alternatively, information can also be given anonymously to the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.
"Anyone who thinks they might have a problem with alcohol and/or drugs and would like to get help can visit www.drugsandalcoholni.info. This also includes details of services available for individuals affected by someone else's drinking and/or drug misuse."
Alliance Concerned About Impact Of New Breed-Specific Law
The Alliance Party have expressed their concern that a new breed-specific law in England and Wales will impact animal welfare in Northern Ireland.
The government announced the ban on October 31 in response to a notable increase in dog attacks during the 2022/23 period. The new law, effective as of December 31, prohibits the purchase, sale, breeding, and giving away of American XL Bully (AXLB) breed dogs throughout England and Wales. From February 1, ownership of an AXLB is illegal unless the owner has applied for an exemption.
However, the breed-specific legislation will not extend to Northern Ireland, raising concerns about the potential for an influx of AXLB dog abandonment due to the lack of regulations.
South Down MLA and the party's Animal Welfare spokesperson, Patrick Brown, said: "Breed-specific legislation is not an effective solution to the issues at hand, and fails to address the root cause of dog attacks, which are more often linked to poor dog ownership and breeding practices rather than the specific breed of the dog.
"For example, despite the introduction of the Dangerous Dogs Act in 1991, which banned four specific breeds in the UK, the number of dog attacks has increased.
"As there is currently no functioning Executive, there is no immediate legislative action able to be taken to prevent the potential mass dumping of AXLB dogs in Northern Ireland, or NI becoming an unintended back channel for owners or breeders seeking to avoid the ban. In fact, I am already hearing reports of this happening in our shelters. There are already pre-existing pressures on animal shelters and welfare organisations due to funding cuts and increased running costs, and we simply cannot afford any further burden. We need Stormont restored urgently to address these challenges."
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
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25 November 2024
Other News In Brief
DfC Launch Public Consultation On Gender Pay Gap A consultation on proposed changes to Section 19 of the Employment Act (Northern Ireland) relating to the requirements for employers to publish information on the pay of male and female employees has been launched by the Department for Communities.
Other News In Brief
DfC Launch Public Consultation On Gender Pay Gap A consultation on proposed changes to Section 19 of the Employment Act (Northern Ireland) relating to the requirements for employers to publish information on the pay of male and female employees has been launched by the Department for Communities.
20 November 2024
Roads Service Ready For Winter Weather
Infrastructure Minister John O'Dowd has confirmed that the Department's winter service team is prepared to tackle the current cold snap. Around 300 staff and 130 gritters are ready to salt main roads, while 12 snow blowers are available for deployment if necessary. To ensure a comprehensive winter service, the Department has allocated £3.
Roads Service Ready For Winter Weather
Infrastructure Minister John O'Dowd has confirmed that the Department's winter service team is prepared to tackle the current cold snap. Around 300 staff and 130 gritters are ready to salt main roads, while 12 snow blowers are available for deployment if necessary. To ensure a comprehensive winter service, the Department has allocated £3.
03 August 2009
Hero Army Dog Handlers Honoured
Murdered soldiers who worked with specialist 'sniffer' dogs during the Northern Ireland Troubles have been remembered. The 'Red Paw' and its work across Northern Ireland was the subject of a special memorial service held in England at the weekend. It was in honour of the six dog handlers and two sniffer dogs killed in Northern Ireland.
Hero Army Dog Handlers Honoured
Murdered soldiers who worked with specialist 'sniffer' dogs during the Northern Ireland Troubles have been remembered. The 'Red Paw' and its work across Northern Ireland was the subject of a special memorial service held in England at the weekend. It was in honour of the six dog handlers and two sniffer dogs killed in Northern Ireland.
22 July 2015
Call For Action Plan To Be Implemented To Deal With Hospital Waiting Lists
Sinn Féin is calling for an action plan to be implemented to deal with hospital waiting lists in Northern Ireland. Chair of the Assembly's health committee, MLA Maeve McLaughlin, said the rise in waiting times is "not acceptable" for patients.
Call For Action Plan To Be Implemented To Deal With Hospital Waiting Lists
Sinn Féin is calling for an action plan to be implemented to deal with hospital waiting lists in Northern Ireland. Chair of the Assembly's health committee, MLA Maeve McLaughlin, said the rise in waiting times is "not acceptable" for patients.
22 November 2024
Mobile Gaming Trends in Northern Ireland
Mobile gaming has become an integral part of the entertainment landscape in Northern Ireland, encompassing everything from sports betting and online gambling to video games. As technology advances, particularly with the advent of 5G, the mobile gaming sector is poised for significant growth and transformation.
Mobile Gaming Trends in Northern Ireland
Mobile gaming has become an integral part of the entertainment landscape in Northern Ireland, encompassing everything from sports betting and online gambling to video games. As technology advances, particularly with the advent of 5G, the mobile gaming sector is poised for significant growth and transformation.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
