Gerry Kelly receives fourth death in space of just eight weeks

Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly has bee informed a threat had been made against him by the so-called 'Real UFF C Company'. A codeword was used in the threat which claimed he would be "executed within 24 hours".
The threat was the fourth death threat against the Sinn Féin MLA in the space of just eight weeks.
"You have to take these things seriously. I have had a number of threats in recent weeks and have been careful about my movements," said Kelly.
"Obviously this is a worry for my family because it has to be taken seriously. But I won't let this stop me from representing all the people in my North Belfast constituency. These types of threats are designed to destabilise the important work that lies immediately ahead for the political process, it will not work.”

DPPs force policing u-turn

A PSNI target on community engagement remains a key focus in this year's policing plan for North Belfast following ‘cumulative pressure’ on the PSNI, said Sinn Féin Councillor and DPP Chairman Conor Maskey.
The decision to retain the target was the result of many months of discussion between the PSNI, who wanted to scrap it, and members of the North Belfast District Policing Partnership (DPP) who wanted to retain a barometer of community confidence.
The target was finally included in the 2010/2011 policing plan after a senior member of the PSNI, close to the Chief Constable's office, was sent to a private DPP meeting to sort the matter out and, in the end, over-ruled the views of local police officers.
It was in October last year that all members of the North Belfast DPP agreed the policing plan needed revamping, but not at the expense of this target said Conor Maskey.
“Mark Hamilton [North and West Belfast PSNI Commander, currently on leave] gave a fairly impassioned plea about the need for the policing plan to be changed, and the DPP members agreed.
“But then they came back to us a couple of months later without this target of the PSNI engaging with the community. Unanimously we told them this was unacceptable.
“Two weeks ago we had a meeting with West Belfast DPP members to discuss this matter again and the attitude of the police was nothing short of disgraceful. They were not there to work in partnership with us, they were trying to dictate to us.
“We met with the Policing Board last week and expressed our deep concerns at this development and then we had another meeting with the West Belfast DPP board. At this meeting a senior member of the PSNI came, forced a U-turn and agreed it should be included.
“We welcome this end result, it shows that by collectively working together we can make progress. The joint lobbying of the Policing Board, the joint courses of action agreed by the DPPs, ensured a cumulative pressure on the PSNI and as a result we are in a far better position to start the policing year in April.”

Ní Chuilín welcomes housing at Girdwood

North Belfast Sinn Féin MLA Carál Ní Chuilín has given the announcement by the North’s Department for Social Development that work on 200 social houses on Girdwood would start immediately a warm welcome.
"This has to be welcomed. Margaret Ritchie has taken the executive decision to do this in spite of opposition from unionists,” said Ní Chuilín.
"The main problem was the DUP and the fact they didn't want any homes for Catholics on the site. We have campaigned about this issue for years and we're hopeful that this will help lower the housing waiting list in North Belfast with these new family homes that the area badly needs."

Kelly welcomes INLA move

North Belfast Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly has welcomed the move by the INLA to decommission its weapons.
“The peace process has ensured that a peaceful and democratic path to a united Ireland exists. There is no support for or appetite for armed actions within the republican community,” said Kelly.
“The INLA has recognised this by engaging with the IICD in this action. Other small militarist factions, both republican and loyalist, who are opposed to the peace process need now also to reflect on their position, given the political realities of 2010 and end their futile armed actions.”

Councillor welcomes roundabout makeover

Sinn Féin councillor Margaret McClenaghan welcomed the news that a roundabout at the Ardoyne interface is to get a makeover.
"'This is very good news and will be a great transformation for the area," said McClenaghan.
Work due to start on the Ardoyne roundabout within the next few weeks and will see the landscaping of the island with decorative granite units, shrubbery and plants. It is part of a scheme to improve the look of the area.
"It will complement the front of Ardoyne shops which have been transformed recently and will go a long way to improving the look of the area. Local people will be delighted because this is a long time coming.
"It is just the right time for this to happen. Hopefully now we can implement some traffic calming measures at the shops and take the improvements to the area even further.”

Kelly on parades working group

Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly who is part of the Assembly working group set up to look at contentious parades said he hopes to see a situation where residents living in areas affected by parades will be able to take part in meaningful dialogue on any dispute.
“We need to make it clear that no-one believes there is a miracle cure for contentious parades like the Garvaghy Road, Ardoyne and the Ormeau Road,” he said.
“However, we are trying to set up an improved structure. Issues can be sorted out on a local basis with dialogue.
“We hope to improve on the lessons of the Parades Commission and build on the Strategic Review of Parading report. We have always supported residents in their need for dialogue.
“This will be about protecting human and civic rights for all people to live free from sectarian harassment.”

Adams sends ‘Solidarity Greetings’ to Mandela

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams MP MLA has extended solidarity greetings to Nelson Mandela as he celebrates his 20th year of freedom.

“The release of Madiba 20 years ago marked the beginning of the end of the apartheid system in South Africa," said Adams.

Before his arrest, during his 27 years in prison and since his release Nelson Mandela has displayed huge courage, an unwavering commitment to freedom, equality and democracy and a determination to advance a vision for South Africa based on fairness and tolerance.

His leadership helped ensure that the transition from apartheid to democracy was less than violent and destabilising than it otherwise might have been.

Madiba and his comrades in the ANC also encouraged and assisted the search for peace in Ireland. All right thinking people are grateful for that.

Nelson Mandela is the greatest political leader of our age.