North Down Alliance Councillor Tony Hill has condemned the weekend attack on the Castle campus at Bangor Academy. Cllr Hill said: “This was pointless, mindless vandalism. I understand that the work of some of the pupils has been destroyed and that is something which must be condemned.” “The people who suffer most in these awful […]
Alliance Chief Whip Kieran McCarthy has said he is unsurprised at the level of opposition the Prime Minister is experiencing at Westminster over plans for an amnesty for ‘on the run’ terrorists. Mr McCarthy said: “The Prime Minister does not seem to realise the depth of feeling over this highly controversial issue. It seems as […]
Alliance Councillor Naomi Long has condemned the shooting of a man in the Garnerville area of East Belfast last night. Cllr Long said: “Yet again, another young man has been shot in what appears to be a horrific paramilitary-style attack. These solve nothing, and only create pain and hurt in our community.” “Those behind the […]
By Tom Ekin, Alliance Councillor for Belfast, Balmoral “IT’S a sad fact of life, but four years on from the signing of the Good Friday Agreement the main political parties here are still fighting over ‘important’ issues like the display of lilies in Stormont.” “While the bombs and killings have largely stopped, it seems that […]
The Office of First and Deputy First Minister has no intention of setting up an Interdepartmental Working Group to tackle the ongoing problem of paramilitary flags, emblems and graffiti, despite a unanimous call from the floor of the Assembly, Alliance Chief Whip Kieran McCarthy MLA has said. Mr McCarthy expressed his disappointment following advice from […]
This March the Government intends to bring forward legislation to provide for an amnesty for paramilitaries said to be ‘on the run’ from the law. This ill-conceived measure emerged as part of a side-deal between the Prime Minister and Sinn Fein at the Weston Park talks last summer. As things stand, the Government does not […]
Alliance Councillor Geraldine Rice has slammed Women’s Coalition leader Monica McWilliams for failing to back an Assembly motion calling for the Government’s proposed amnesty for terrorists ‘on the run’ only to proceed if paramilitary exiles can return safely to Northern Ireland. On Tuesday, the Assembly failed to pass an Alliance motion calling for those forced […]
An Alliance Councillor has slammed Women’s Coalition leader Monica McWilliams for failing to back an Assembly motion calling for the Government’s proposed amnesty for terrorists ‘on the run’ only to proceed if paramilitary exiles can return safely to Northern Ireland. On Tuesday, the Assembly failed to pass an Alliance motion calling for those forced from […]
Alliance Leader David Ford has accused South Antrim MP David Burnside of not looking at his ‘in’ tray before he leaps into emotive speeches concerning the PSNI Full Time Reserve. Mr Ford was speaking after the News Letter (Feb 22) revealed Mr Burnside had received a letter stating that contracts for the FTR would be […]
Alliance Councillor Geraldine Rice has slammed Women’s Coalition leader Monica McWilliams for failing to back an Assembly motion calling for the Government’s proposed amnesty for terrorists ‘on the run’ only to proceed if paramilitary exiles can return safely to Northern Ireland. On Tuesday, the Assembly failed to pass an Alliance motion calling for those forced […]