‘We hope it will make for more effective policing in North Belfast’ – Sinn Féin Councillor and DPP member Danny Lavery on DPP meetings taking place in

North Belfast District Policing Partnership's (DPP) elected and independent members gathered in the New Lodge and Ardoyne this week in the first step towards the area's first ever policing meeting.
“There was a modest turnout at the meeting (New Lodge) but we got good feedback from those gathered and we hope it will make for more effective policing in North Belfast,” said Sinn Féin Councillor and DPP member Danny Lavery.
“The meeting was one of several which have already taken place across the district and in general the same themes have been raised time and time again.
“People want to see an end to anti-social behaviour, street drinking, attacks on older people, break-ins and drugs-related problems.
“These meetings are new to us all, it is a learning curve for not only the community but also the DPP members and hopefully we will see just how effective they have been when the policing plan is officially released.”
There have been several such consultation meetings in North Belfast in recent months as DPP members seek to get the community involved in shaping the 2009/10 policing plan.

Decision is ‘crazy’ to allow fourth parade in a month - Tierna Cunningham

Sinn Feín councillor Tierna Cunningham said she is livid after the Royal Black Preceptory received the go ahead for a fourth parade on the Whitewell Road
“I just can't believe they are doing it again, I am absolutely livid,” said the North Belfast republican.
“At the beginning of the month a lot on money was spent bussing children out of the area to keep tensions low while this first parade was going on.
“Now they say they have to do it again because they didn't do it the first time. Where is the logic in this?”
This is the fourth time the he Royal Black Preceptory are to march on the Whitewell Road this month to perform a ceremony they should have carried out at an earlier march.
The Preceptory want to carry out a 'Moving District Colours' ceremony at Greencastle Orange Hall despite being granted permission to carry it out at their march on 1 August.
The marchers decided not to carry out the ceremony at that time and have now been granted permission to hold a further three parades on the road next Saturday (30 August).
“I'm appealing for local people to be calm in the face of this crazy decision,” said Tierna Cunningham.

Councillor delighted that the final stage of the plans for a new Irish medium school and GAA pitch

Sinn Féin councillor Margaret McClenaghan said she is delighted that the final stage of the plans for a new Irish medium school and GAA pitch on the Cliftonville Road have finally been submitted to the Planning Service
“This is a very sensible decision and a long time coming. The sooner the planning application goes through the better,” said the Republican representative.
“It will be a great boost for the area to have it all built and up and running. Those who will benefit the most will be the children from Ardoyne, Cliftonville and across North Belfast.
“It has been a very long wait, over six years of negotiations to get where we are today and I am delighted that the ball is finally rolling and the children here will get a brand new school and GAA pitch.”

Much-needed housing being vandalised – Lavery

North Belfast Sinn Féin councillor Danny Lavery has urged local people to be on the lookout for vandals who are demolishing building work on new houses.
Danny said that after builders constructing new homes at Thorndale leave for the day, vandals come behind them and demolish walls they have built.
The republican elected representative said the mindless vandals are pushing back work on the five new homes at Thorndale Avenue.
“I'm calling on local residents to be vigilant and keep an eye out for the people doing this,” said Danny.
“It has been going on for over a week now and will push back the time in which the houses will be completed.
“These houses are very much needed in the area and work needs to be ongoing on them. There is no sense in going behind a builder and ruining his day's work by demolishing the walls. “I am asking local people keep a close eye on the site and make sure if they see anything to report it.”

Cuts in traditional ambulance vehicle cover wrong - Ní Chuilín

After cuts in traditional ambulance vehicle cover were announced, North Belfast Sinn Féin MLA Carál Ní Chuilín said she met with ambulance staff this week and she believes patients will suffer.
“I believe it is ticking boxes and allowing management to give good figures at the expense of patients and staff,” said the North Belfast republican.
“Staff know their jobs and if they don't believe it’s right, working in the second biggest station in the North (Ardoyne), then I believe it is wrong.”

Rights of young people must be protected - Kelly

Sinn Féin MLA Northern Junior Minister Gerry Kelly met with criminal justice inspector, Kit Chivers last week to discuss his report into Hydebank Wood Young Offenders Centre.
The report contains 179 recommendations for improvement and said juveniles are treated inappropriately on arrival and that there are limited opportunities for young offenders to learn and develop new skills.
Gerry Kelly said that as part of the North’s ministerial team there was even more onus on making sure the rights of young people were protected.
“As ministers we have a responsibility to be advocates for the rights of all young people regardless of who they are or what they have done,” said the Republican representative.
“The Executive’s commitment to this is reflected in the fact that provision for vulnerable young people, including those in contact with the youth justice system, is one of the six priorities agreed by the Ministerial Sub Committee on Children and Young People.”
The North Belfast Sinn Fein MLA said he will visit Hydebank in the near future and speak to both the Governor and inmates to hear their views on both the report and the regime that exists there.
“As a society we need to constantly balance and improve the ways in which we protect society and rehabilitate those who have offended,”said the former Republican POW.
“The inspector’s report recommends ways in which this can be done and I would be keen to hear from inmates and staff at Hydebank. I will also be closely monitoring the implementation of the recommendations.”

Residents disappointed with parade decision – SF Councillor

Sinn Fein councillor Tierna Cunningham said residents were extremely disappointed that a Royal Black parade planned to take place on Friday 1st August 1 in the Whitewell area has been given the green light by the Parades Commission albeit with restrictions.
Residents will be staging a protest but restrictions have also been placed on this.
The last time the Royal Black Perceptory took this route was 15 years ago, which ended with nationalist homes being attacked.
“People are totally opposed to this parade. The sheer amount of parades in this area are the biggest threat to community relations,” said the Republican representative.
“Community and political representatives in the Greencastle area have shown leadership on this issue, unfortunately that same leadership has not been forthcoming from the loyal orders and political unionism.
“The message is loud and clear here, the loyal orders can't keep on marching up the Whitewell road without engaging with the local community. They continue to be rewarded for not talking.”