Kelly praises youth move on interface violence

North Belfast Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly said he fully endorsed youths from across the political divide that have called for an end to the interface violence.
Speaking at the launch of the 'North Belfast Youth Say No To Interface Violence' poster campaign, the Republican representative said he endorsed their message of peace and respect.
Young people from across the area took their anti-sectarian message to Stormont this week and met with the North’s junior ministers Gerry Kelly and Jeffrey Donaldson.
Commending the work of the youth, Gerry Kelly said he fully endorsed their message of peace and respect.
“The summer has historically been a difficult time for communities in North Belfast but here we have young people showing real leadership within their community to stop interface violence erupting,” said Gerry.
“Over the past weekend we have witnessed areas where dialogue can replace conflict and we need to build on these models of dialogue and promote a peaceful summer.
“As ministers, we endorse and agree with what these young people say to interface violence – ‘Wise Up M8’.”
Pioneered by the North Belfast Interface Monitoring Group, the latest initiative aimed at reducing sectarian strife will see 20,000 leaflets and posters designed by young people for other young people distributed widely.
Translink has also backed the campaign with posters to be displayed in all buses servicing routes in and out of North Belfast

Ní Chuilín in call to support housing protest

North Belfast Sinn Fein MLA Carál Ní Chuilín urged all residents’ groups and housing activists to come together in support of a protest on Tuesday for the 'Stand Up for North Belfast’ housing campaign.
All residents, community and housing groups and elected representatives have been urged to come out and support their introductory protest at Carrickhill in protest at shabby, second-class housing.
A recent decision by the Planning Service to give the nod to a 226 private apartment development on the Donegall Street car park site was the final straw for North Belfast housing activists who refuse to accept high-rise living as the future for desperate nationalist families.
The public protest at Carrickhill/Donegall Street on Tuesday morning is at 11am and anyone interested is encouraged to attend.

Councillor pledges to help church-goers after attack

Voicing her condemnation of vandals behind an attack on a Protestant church in Whitewell, Sinn Féin Councillor for the area Tierna Cunningham pledged her commitment to do whatever she could to allay the fears of St Ninian's church-goers.
“This attack on the church was completely unacceptable on every level, but this is not a matter of sectarian violence, this is senseless vandalism and it must stop,” she said.
“St Ninian's is a valuable part of the community and we don't want anyone to feel threatened going to the church.
“We have been engaged in a programme of work trying to tackle anti-social behaviour in the area and we will not let this ruin our progress.”
Meanwhile a group of North Belfast nationalist youths plan to raise money to help repair damage to the church in an act of solidarity with its congregation.
St Ninian's Church of Ireland was targeted by vandals in the latest in a long series of wanton acts of vandalism on the Whitewell Road in recent months.

Its all downwards for Sinn Féin MLA

North Belfast Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly along with local curate Fr Gary Donegan and Fr Gary's life-long friend Eamonn McLaughlin took part in a charity abseil off the Europa at the weekend.
A total so far of almost £7,000 has been raised towards parish funds, with the money going some way towards clearing the parish debt.
Swapping his usual Assembly suit and tie for a rope and a harness, Gerry made Saturday's descent his second charity abseil down the Europa Hotel.
“I was very pleased to be asked to get involved in Saturday's charity abseil because it's these sorts of events that make my work light-hearted and fun,” he said.
“I was only too pleased to support the community and the parish and it's definitely something I want to do more of in the future.”
Gerry meanwhile extended his congratulations to Holy Cross Boys' Gaelic footballers on winning the Raffo Cup at Casement last week, and Ardoyne Kickhams senior footballers on capturing the Beringer Cup, again at Casement Park, on Sunday.

Vandals are unrepresentative of community - Kelly

North Belfast Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly said vandals who stripped lead off the roof of a community charity organisation are completely unrepresentative of the wider community.
His comments came after thieves left gaping holes in the roof of the 174 Trust when leading was stripped from around the chimney breast.
The entire upper floor of the 174 Trust was at risk of complete devastation if the roof wasn't fixed immediately.
Faced with a repair bill running into thousands of pounds, the charity's pre-school, after-school and young people’s projects would suffer greatly as a result of the vandalism.
“It is deeply disturbing to think people would do such a thing to a community charity organisation which is such an asset to North Belfast,” said Gerry Kelly.
“These vandals are completely unrepresentative of the wider community and I hope the police will apprehend whoever was responsible and bring them before the courts.”

Ní Chuilín supports ‘Standing up for North Belfast’ housing campaign

Pledging her continuing support for a ‘Stand Up for North Belfast’ housing campaign, North Belfast Sinn Féin MLA Carál Ní Chuilín said nationalists were “still waiting on equality”.
North Belfast housing activists, politicians, community groups, church representatives and residents this week held an introductory meeting to outline the way forward for the Stand Up For North Belfast campaign.
The common goal is to hold the Housing Executive, the Department for Social Development (DSD) and private landlords to account.
“Many people are doing excellent work on their own but we need to join all our efforts and make this work,” said Carál.
“Private landlords banking land, charging colossal rents and housing associations selling houses privately are all adding to a poverty trap and these are the priorities we need to tackle as a matter of urgency.”
Housing Executive figures revealed that at the end of March, there were 2,502 applicants on the North Belfast housing waiting list, 1,690 of which were Catholics.
Almost 1,500 of those waiting were deemed to be in housing stress, 72 per cent of who were Catholic.

Sinn Fein minister visits St Malachy’s College

St Malachy's College on the Antrim Road received a visit from the Sinn Féin Education Minister Cáitríona Ruane this week.
The College, which is the only specialist school of music in the North, invited the Sinn Féin education minister for a site visit and on Wednesday she took a tour of the building, parts of which date back to 1830.
As well as a music and art session, and a tour of the school buildings the minister visited the sports pitch where a whole host of sports are played.
Talks between the school and minister surrounded the masterplan of the Girdwood Crumlin Road Gaol site.
As well as a focus on music the school has a first-class track record in the field of basketball.
Cáitríona Ruane said it was lovely to be in St Malachy's.
“It's lovely to be here. Myself and John (Principal John Morrin have something in common, his parents come from County Mayo, so it’s lovely to be here, I've had great fun with the lads.”
As well as lighter moment the minister did explain that discussions were also on the table.
“There are serious subjects on the table today, we have to see about St Malachy's and their future. But they are doing tremendous work.
“This is only one of the sites. There are lots of British military sites, which we have to make the most of. We have to make the best use of Girdwood – it's very important for this area, it's prime land. The school has big, big plans, and we have to see how they fit in.”