PSNI seize knife and drugs from Glider passenger in west Belfast
A spokesperson for the PSNI said officers from the Safe Transport Team had been conducting patrols on board the Glider network.
"During our patrols many people commented how they were pleased to see Police on board services due to ongoing anti social behaviour concerns,' they said.
'Whilst on board, officers detained one male passenger for a search and located a small quantity of Class B Drugs and more concerningly, a flick knife.
"The dangers of carrying a knife are self explanatory and can some times lead to tragic consequences. The male will now be investigated for these offences.'
It comes after Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins outlined plans in February to extend the Glider service to north and south Belfast.
As part of the development, there will be more 'bus priority measures' in the city.
And there is anger after two elements of the scheme were dropped for now, with plans to run the Glider to Carryduff, and separately to Glengormley, not proceeding.
The full scheme will not be completed until 2030 at the earliest.
The Glider service of tram-like buses opened in September 2018.
It currently runs from the McKinstry roundabout in west Belfast to Dundonald park-and-ride in east Belfast via the city centre.
A second line connects the city centre to the Titanic Quarter.
Ms Kimmins said the Glider 'has been a huge success' and has helped transform and modernise public transport services in east and west Belfast.
She said extending the service to the north and south will bring 'the benefits of the Glider service to communities living along this route'.
But there was anger after plans to extend the service beyond Cairnshill Park and Ride to Carryduff, and separately to Glengormley, were dropped.
Ms Kimmins said that funding and feasibility studies led her to conclude "that any extension of the Glider service beyond Cairnshill Road Park and Ride towards Carryduff is not economically viable at this time but will be re-examined when further development along this route is realised'.
She also said that 'significant congestion within Glengormley', as well as the pending public realm scheme and limited funding 'make it challenging to extend the service into Glengormley'.
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Belfast Telegraph
10 hours ago
- Belfast Telegraph
PSNI seize knife and drugs from Glider passenger in west Belfast
A flick knife and drugs were seized from a passenger on the Glider bus in west Belfast on Friday, police have said. A spokesperson for the PSNI said officers from the Safe Transport Team had been conducting patrols on board the Glider network. "During our patrols many people commented how they were pleased to see Police on board services due to ongoing anti social behaviour concerns,' they said. 'Whilst on board, officers detained one male passenger for a search and located a small quantity of Class B Drugs and more concerningly, a flick knife. "The dangers of carrying a knife are self explanatory and can some times lead to tragic consequences. The male will now be investigated for these offences.' It comes after Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins outlined plans in February to extend the Glider service to north and south Belfast. As part of the development, there will be more 'bus priority measures' in the city. And there is anger after two elements of the scheme were dropped for now, with plans to run the Glider to Carryduff, and separately to Glengormley, not proceeding. The full scheme will not be completed until 2030 at the earliest. The Glider service of tram-like buses opened in September 2018. It currently runs from the McKinstry roundabout in west Belfast to Dundonald park-and-ride in east Belfast via the city centre. A second line connects the city centre to the Titanic Quarter. Ms Kimmins said the Glider 'has been a huge success' and has helped transform and modernise public transport services in east and west Belfast. She said extending the service to the north and south will bring 'the benefits of the Glider service to communities living along this route'. But there was anger after plans to extend the service beyond Cairnshill Park and Ride to Carryduff, and separately to Glengormley, were dropped. Ms Kimmins said that funding and feasibility studies led her to conclude "that any extension of the Glider service beyond Cairnshill Road Park and Ride towards Carryduff is not economically viable at this time but will be re-examined when further development along this route is realised'. She also said that 'significant congestion within Glengormley', as well as the pending public realm scheme and limited funding 'make it challenging to extend the service into Glengormley'.
Belfast Telegraph
2 days ago
- Belfast Telegraph
MLA condemns ‘organised attack by thugs' before Derry football match
SDLP's Mark H Durkan, who was at the match, said some young people had been injured Families were left terrified after trouble broke out in Londonderry before a football match last night, an MLA has said. Violent clashes unfolded before the Derry City v Bohemians League of Ireland game at the Ryan McBride Stadium. Trouble broke out in the Bogside area of Derry before kick-off. SDLP MLA Mark H Durkan, who was at the match, said some young people had been injured. He branded it an organised attack by thugs and warned someone could be killed if the trouble is not stamped out. Videos circulating online show people, some of them with their faces masked, clashing outside the stadium. Some appear to be armed with missiles and sticks. Mr Durkan condemned the trouble. He said: 'It is disgusting and disgraceful that so many football fans and families left the match in fear tonight due to violent clashes that occurred outside in what had all the hallmarks of an organised attack. 'Thugs came to Derry masked and armed with an array of weapons. 'Local young people were injured - I hope they recover swiftly. This madness must stop before someone is killed. 'It is awful that after what has been such a tremendously positive week for the city through the Foyle Cup, this is what will hit the headlines tomorrow. 'I must commend the efforts of the stewards in the Brandywell who did their very best in extremely difficult circumstances.' The match was also briefly suspended after a flare was thrown from outside the ground onto the pitch. Sinn Fein MLA Padraig Delargy said 'so-called supporters from Dublin' attacked local people. 'The sight of masked youths armed with an array of weapons, and fighting in the streets before turning on the PSNI was terrifying for local residents, including children, who witnessed this appalling violence,' he said. 'In what seems to have been be a pre-arranged attack connected to a football match at the Brandywell, the violence erupted when so-called football supporters from Dublin attacked local youths as well as cars and property belonging to residents. "That is disgraceful and the violence that took place on our streets needs to be condemned. "It threatened the safety and well-being of local residents and stands in stark contrast to the fantastic work that is going on in the area through the Féile and the redevelopment of Meenan Square.' The PSNI, Derry City and Bohemians have been contacted for comment.
ITV News
2 days ago
- ITV News
Murder victim's sister hits out at authorities who secretly kept teenager's body parts
Readers are warned they may find some details distressing. UTV first exposed what became known as the human tissue scandal back in 2012. Dozens of families were told that the body parts of their loved ones were retained without their consent. Not illegal - but the authorities accepted it was wrong and have since changed how they do things. Families impacted – relatives of those killed during the Troubles, other murder victims and those who lost their lives in car crash. Few people spoke out at the time when the news first broke. It followed a UK-wide audit of all police forces. UTV can reveal the scandal is still playing out in civil courts. The family of a schoolgirl murdered by a neighbour in her street have broken their silence to reveal their battle with the authorities. Sonia Forsythe was 13 when she disappeared from her home on the Shankill in West Belfast back in 1991. Five years later her body was found wrapped in a carpet, dumped in a coalbunker, beneath the flat she was murdered in. James Junior McKinistry, who was 19 at the time, served a life sentence for the killing and is now out on licence. Sonia's sister Nikki Boomer told UTV: ''We have had to bury Sonia three times now." "That makes us feel like she can't rest in peace because they forgot they had these body parts for 16 years (since the date of her murder)". Sonia's mother Audrey agreed to keep part of her skull for evidential purposes. When the skull was no-longer needed, it was reburied with her daughter. A decade passed but then came the bombshell news that police had more of Sonia's body parts – this time without the family's consent. They were beyond inconsolable. Nikki said: ''How did this happen? How did they not know they had other body parts? Was she scattered about different storage units? ''When we got Sonia's body parts back, they came in a little small white box, close to a baby coffin. It was triggering for so many reasons. ''For the third burial, I got to see firsthand the distress that not only my mum, but the whole family went through. It wasn't just a couple of body parts, it was Sonia. ''There were still all these tears because it still hurt just as much because you were saying goodbye to your loved one again.'' For the past 13 years Sonia's family have been battling the authorities through the civil courts. In a statement, the PSNI said it has previously acknowledged the trauma and hurt caused by the human tissue audit, and apologised to the families affected. As a number of legal proceedings are ongoing, they said it would be inappropriate to comment further. The state pathologist's department said there are currently five legal actions pending. As they are ongoing, they said it would be inappropriate to comment. Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know.
