North Belfast Sinn Féin Macmillan Cancer - coffee morning

Republican representatives call for end to sectarian attacks and for PSNI to do their job

Ardoyne Sinn Féin Councillor Margaret McClenaghan said the sectarian violence against Protestant people living in the Twaddell Avenue area is being carried out by a small anti-community element of young people.
“The trouble has gone on for three weekends in a row and now has spilled over into all this week,” said Margaret.
“This is a small group of young people who are involved in anti-community and anti-social behaviour.
“This isn't an organised group coming out of Ardoyne, that would be giving them credence. It’s a group of thugs who, when they finish attacking Twaddell and the police, attack cars in their own community. They don't care what they destroy, they terrorise their own community too.”
Sinn Féin MLA Carál Ní Chuilín slammed the sectarian attacks and said the onus is on the PSNI to act.
“A lot of work has been going on by community and elected representatives over the summer.” Said Carál.
“However, there will be those who are still intent on such actions. Community workers will do what they can, ultimately, though, what needs to happen is that the PSNI need to do their job.
“They need to identify those responsible from CCTV footage and arrest them. So far they have failed.”

Halt put on new ‘peace line’ fencing in Ligoniel

North Belfast Sinn Féin Councillor Margaret McClenaghan said that a full and frank consultation was required before a new ‘peace line’ was built in Ligoniel.
“We condemn attacks on anybody's home. Trees and shrubs were mentioned in the past as a way of helping to resolve this,” said Margaret.
“Obviously people's safety is paramount, but I believe a full and meaningful consultation with local people is required.”
The NIO began building the fence but stopped half way sayng that more talks needed to be held.
A Unionist representative said residents property and homes in Squires Hill had been regularly by attacks from the Ligoniel estate.
Ligoniel Sinn Féin member Billy Mackessy said no-one had been consulted about the new fencing, which is the third such protective shield to be built in the same area in recent years.
“This was talked about two or three years ago and residents came together in St Mark's church and decided we didn't need another fence. Now the NIO has moved in and no-one knows anything about it.”

South Antrim MLA hails residents power over bridge re-opening

South Antrim MLA Mitchel McLaughlin said the upgrading of the Hightown Bridge had been completed three months ahead of schedule after extensive lobbying on the Department of Regional Development (DRD).
“There was a lot of pressure put on by residents, and I give them all due credit for that,” said Mitchel.
“It paid off. First of all they recognised the problems and challenges, they put their arguments forthrightly, and they were also constructive with their ideas and suggestions, some of which were taken on board I believe.
“The need for some urgency and efficiency was taken by both the department and the main contractor, hence completion ahead of schedule.”
Department of Regional Development minister in the North, Sinn Féin MLA Conor Murphy, described the re-opening of the Hightown Bridge in Glengormley as excellent progress.
“I fully understand the impact that the bridge replacement works have had on local people, particularly those that used the Hightown Road on a regular basis,” said the republican. “I would like to thank them for their patience during the construction period.”

Sinn Féin will lobby against Mater downgrading

Commenting on the proposals to ‘downgrade’ services at the Mater Hospital, North Belfast Sinn Féin MLA Carál Ní Chuilín said any decision should be based on need.
"We are going to be lobbying very strongly on this issue,” said Carál.
“A&E should be retained within the Mater as well as mental health and maternity services.
“All the deprivation indicators, show North Belfast ranks at the top, and one of those categories is health. I would encourage everyone to take part in the consultation because there are huge equality issues at stake here.”

Concern at number of sex offenders in North Belfast

Sinn Féin North Belfast MLA Gerry Kelly said figures showing North Belfast has the second highest number of sex offenders with addresses in the area in the whole of the North were concerning.
“This flags up the need for transfer of police and justice power so that local people in the North can have a say on how these issues are dealt with,” said Gerry.
“These powers should also be transferred as quickly as possible so that our locally elected representatives can deal with these issues that are clearly right on our doorstep.
“We need these levels of accountability and scrutiny right across the spectrum and Sinn Féin is rigorously pursing that."

Wasteland fix and air rifle madness

North Belfast Sinn Féin Councillor Danny Lavery said he hopes to get a patch of wasteland in the Oldpark area fenced off.
The land is at the back of shops on the Oldpark and stretches between Ballymoney Street and Rosapenna Street.
“I will be investigating who owns this land and I hope to get the fence repaired and cleared of all this rubbish,” said Danny.
“It's clear kids are getting in here and setting things on fire as well as using it as a drinking den.
“There is also a wider issue of lighting in this area and I hope to ask the relevant agencies what they are doing about it.”
Meanwhile

Air rifle madness
Sinn Féin councillor Margaret McClenaghan said following recent air rifle attacks on black taxis and one on a young man in the New Lodge that someone will end up seriously hurt.
Pellets were fired from an air rifle at three black taxis carrying passengers as they made their way through Ardoyne recently.
“This is obviously someone in the local community doing this but they must realise that someone is going to end up seriously hurt here,” said Margaret McClenaghan.