Latest news with #HousingExecutive
Belfast Telegraph
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Belfast Telegraph
Politicians condemn those behind van covered in racist graffiti in west Belfast
The van was daubed with racist graffiti in the Bearnagh Drive area. A company logo on the side suggests the van belongs to Equans, a long-time contractor for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive. SDLP West Belfast councillor Paul Doherty described the attack as 'disgraceful'. 'The racist graffiti daubed on a Housing Executive vehicle in Bearnagh Drive today was disgraceful and has no place in our society,' he said. "This vile act does not reflect the people of this community. A community built on respect, diversity and solidarity. No family should have to walk past that kind of hatred.' Mr Doherty said he reported the incident to the PSNI. 'I've flagged this with the police and hope the vehicle can be removed by Housing Executive staff as soon as possible. Those responsible should be ashamed. We stand united against racism in all its forms.' Sinn Féin's Paul Maskey also condemned the graffiti. The West Belfast MP said: 'Overnight in Andersontown, a company van was sprayed with disgusting xenophobic slurs, designed to spread fear and hatred. 'Our activists were in the area today speaking to local residents and the vehicle owner, all of whom are outraged. 'We have reported this to PSNI and I would urge anyone with information to please bring it forward. Watch: Thousands flock to Scarva for annual Royal Black Preceptory parades 'Those involved do not speak for the vast majority of west Belfast. Andersonstown is a welcoming community — one which I am proud to be part of and represent. 'Our resolve is steadfast. Racism will not win.' The PSNI have been contacted for comment. Equans says on its website that it has been 'providing repairs, maintenance, heating and refurbishment services to more than 45,000 homes across the region' for more than two decades. 'The Northern Ireland team has also recently been awarded funding by the NI Sustainable Energy Programme to provide full heating and housing solutions to low income households, helping them become safe, comfortable, and energy efficient,' the website adds.
Belfast Telegraph
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Belfast Telegraph
Ombudsman launches investigation into Housing Executive due to concerns over management and complaints process
Margaret Kelly, the Ombudsman, confirmed she has written to the NIHE to notify them that an 'own initiative' investigation is now underway. The move follows her office's earlier proposal and consideration of the Housing Executive's response. Ms Kelly said the investigation will examine whether the organisation is fulfilling its responsibilities in maintaining social housing and responding adequately to tenants' concerns. In Feburary, Nipso said a significant proportion of the complaints it received about the NI Housing Executive (NIHE) relate to delays in carrying out repairs and the quality of the work undertaken. Others were about how the concerns of social housing tenants were responded to when issues were raised and how complaints were handled. News Catch Up - June 25th 2025 The NIHE is the country's largest social housing provider, responsible for 83,000 homes. Almost 50,000 people are on the housing waiting list in Northern Ireland. 'Access to good quality housing is an essential foundation for maintaining health and well-being and vital for enabling our children to achieve their full potential,' Ms Kelly said. She added that the investigation will look into how the NIHE adapts properties for those with specific needs, and how it manages the increasing demand for temporary accommodation during housing crisis. With more people experiencing homelessness or facing urgent housing needs, the Ombudsman said the standards of temporary accommodation will come under particular scrutiny. The investigation will also assess how easy it is for tenants to raise complaints and whether the complaints process is effective and fair. 'When public services don't get it right, it is important they have an effective complaints process which can be easily accessed and has a focus on addressing concerns quickly and fairly,' Ms Kelly said. The Terms of Reference for the investigation have been published on the Ombudsman's website, and interim updates will be issued as the inquiry progresses. A final report will be laid before the Northern Ireland Assembly and may include recommendations aimed at improving social housing services. The investigation is being carried out under powers granted by section 8 of the Public Services Ombudsman Act (Northern Ireland) 2016, which allows the Ombudsman to act where there is a 'reasonable suspicion' of systemic maladministration.
Daily Mail
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Petrol bombs and fireworks launched at police as Ballymena riots spread across Northern Ireland in fifth night of violence after 'alleged attempted rape of local girl, 16, by two Romanian teens'
Fireworks and petrol bombs have been fired at police in Northern Ireland after anti-immigration riots in Ballymena have continued to spread. Crowds of masked thugs gathered in Portadown on the fifth night of violence that have allegedly stemmed from two teenagers of Romanian descent appearing in court accused of attempting to rape a local girl. Huge clouds of smoke were seen in the area where a protest had been held earlier in the evening before it descended into carnage. Officers in riot gear rushed to the scene while hooded thugs were seen hauling a huge branch across a road towards a line of police vans. The 'significant and sustained attack' demanded the need of more officers, PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said, emphasising that 'destroying and vandalising local communities do not make our towns safer for women and girls and to claim otherwise is nonsense'. The violence that was livestreamed on TikTok came only hours after a senior PSNI officer said cops are actively investigating 'those posting hate on social media', according to the Belfast Telegraph. An 'unprecedented' number of people no longer feel safe in their homes, Northern Ireland's Housing Executive chief added. Only yesterday did a family with young children in Coleraine have to be evacuated after their house had been set ablaze. The County Armagh saw around 400 protesters gather as people were seen setting fires and causing damage to a derelict building. So far, 63 officers have been injured, with Liam Kelly, Chair of the Police Federation for Northern Ireland, describing the violence as a 'week of shame'. There has been 'no intelligence' of paramilitary involvement, ACC Henderson added, confirming there will be a 'large police presence around the country' this weekend. ACC Henderson also said: 'Over the course of the 4 nights violence 63 officer have been injured. Many of those officers stayed on the line despite their injuries. 'I commend their bravery and determination. These are men and women working to protect their communities and the attacks against them must stop. 'Some of those perpetrating this violence claim to be protecting women and girls. This is simply not true, they are criminal acts. 'Destroying and vandalising local communities do not make our towns safer for women and girls and to claim otherwise is nonsense. 'Tackling violence against women and girls is a key priority for the Police Service of Northern Ireland and we will work hard for justice for any reporting female. A vehicle burns as PSNI riot squad officers battled protesters throwing projectiles on June 10 in Ballymena Homes were set on fire, including one thought to be linked to the alleged perpetrators (not pictured) 'Destroying and vandalising local communities do not make our towns safer for women and girls and to claim otherwise is nonsense', PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said 'To those posting hate on social media, inciting disorder or being seen to commit disorder we are actively investigating what you have said and what you have been captured doing.' The family of the girl who was allegedly sexually assaulted has pleaded with rioters to end the violence after nights of chaos yesterday. Northern Ireland's police chief Jon Boutcher said the young girl had been 'further traumatised' by the rioting, adding that 80 officers from Scotland were due to arrive to help with future riots. 'Stop this violence,' Mr Boutcher said on Thursday. 'We will come after you. We will arrest you. We will prosecute you successfully. It is not in any way a way for a civilised society to behave and it must stop now. 'I want to specifically mention the 41 police officers who've been injured. Each of those officers have put themselves in harm's way to protect our communities. 'And I want to send a very clear message to all our diverse communities: we stand absolutely shoulder to shoulder with you. We are here to protect you. 'We are your police service, and these bigots and racists will not win the day. This will be policed properly. We will deal with this - and we all know that in this room - but let's call an end to it now. 'This girl's family and this girl want it to end. Our communities want it to end. We need it to end. So please don't come out on the streets tonight. If you do, we will police you and we will deal with you through the criminal justice system. Mr Boutcher added that he would 'always be concerned' the unrest would spread to other towns. After the warning, there were some tense scenes in Portadown as masked individuals hurled masonry and other objects at riot police later into the night. As of Thursday, three teenagers have appeared in court in connection with riots this week. PSNI also released images of four people they need help in identifying so they can be quizzed over their relation to the riots. ACC Henderson said: 'Today, in the latest phase of our investigation, we are releasing the images of four individuals we want to identify and interview in connection with our ongoing investigation into the disorder of the past days,' he added. 'In releasing these images, I am asking the wider community to step forward and help us to identify these individuals. It is in all of our interests, and in the interests of justice, that those responsible are dealt with and I would urge anyone who may have information to bring it forward. 'If you are able to identify any of the people shown in these images or can provide information about them should contact us on 101 or on our major incident portal, which is accessible on our website.' Earlier this week, a number of houses were torched in Co Antrim as a masked mob lit curtains after windows and doors of terraced properties in the town were caved in. ACC Henderson said: 'It is in all of our interests, and in the interests of justice, that those responsible are dealt with and I would urge anyone who may have information to bring it forward' Four houses were destroyed after 2,500 people gathered in the Harryville area of Ballymena on Monday evening. Two more properties were also damaged and 15 police officers hospitalised in the Ballymena riots. Police have said the violence is being investigated as racially-motivated hate attacks. Locals had marched through the area claiming they were there in a show of support to the family of the local girl who was allegedly sexually abused by two teenagers who needed a Romanian interpreter in court yesterday. Some peaceful protesters carried placards saying they were there to 'protect' their own children. But rioting then broke out. Barricades were erected and fires lit. Some masked youths yelled 'paedo-protectors' as the emergency services arrived to battle blazes they had started. Houses were attacked and a boat was even overturned in the street. The protest was organised hours after two 14-year-old boys had appeared in court over the serious sexual assault on a teenage girl from the town. The suspects confirmed their names and ages through a Romanian interpreter at Coleraine Magistrates' Court on Monday morning. Their lawyer indicated they would plead not guilty. The Prime Minister's official spokesman said on Tuesday: 'The disorder we saw in Ballymena is very concerning. Reports of sexual assault in the area are extremely distressing but there is no justification for attacks on police officers while they continue to protect local communities. 'The PSNI and the justice system must be allowed to carry out their jobs. Our thoughts are with the victims of the assault as well as the police officers who were injured.'
The Independent
13-06-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Police come under attack for fifth night in Northern Ireland
Police have come under attack for a fifth consecutive night in Northern Ireland, in what has been dubbed a 'week of shame' for the region. Petrol bombs were thrown at riot police deployed in Portadown on Friday night after a senior officer said there would be 'scaled up' policing presence across Northern Ireland in anticipation of further disorder over the weekend. Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said the mobilisation, which would include officers sent over from Scotland, was 'to reassure our communities and protect our streets'. Disorder started in Ballymena on Monday after an alleged sexual assault of a girl in the Co Antrim town at the weekend, and continued throughout the week. The unrest and riotous behaviour spread to other towns including Larne, Belfast and Coleraine. A number of homes were targeted, and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive has said about 50 households have received assistance across the week, and 14 families provided with emergency accommodation. The focus of the violence shifted to Portadown on Thursday and continued on Friday – although at a lower intensity than scenes observed earlier in the week. Sixty-three police officers have been injured in the sustained disorder which led political leaders to call for calm during a meeting of the British Irish Council in Newcastle, Co Down, on Friday. First Minister Michelle O'Neill said everyone is condemning the disorder and calling for it to stop. 'What we have seen over the last four days has been devastation, has been horrific for those people targeted – this is women and children, these are families, at the brunt of racist, violent attacks, and it is wrong on every level,' she said. 'The whole of the Executive is united on that front.' Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly described a 'difficult time for Northern Ireland' with 'disgraceful scenes of violent disorder', and said her thoughts are with the residents of the areas affected. Additional police officers from Scotland will support the Police Service of Northern Ireland after a mutual aid request. Scottish First Minister John Swinney said it was an illustration of how cooperation between police forces is 'absolutely essential'. While disorder in Ballymena raged across Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday night, it appeared to have abated on Thursday. However, there was still disorder in Portadown. There have also been incidents in other towns, including the burning of Larne Leisure Centre on Wednesday and an arson attack on a house in Coleraine in the early hours of Friday from which a man and woman, and four young children escaped. It is being treated by police as arson with a racially motivated hate element. Twenty-two police officers were injured in overnight disorder in Portadown after they came under sustained attack with heavy masonry, fireworks and beer kegs in the Co Armagh town on Thursday. A woman in her 50s and a man in his 30s were arrested on suspicion of riotous behaviour and other offences in connection with the disorder in Portadown. There was also sporadic disorder elsewhere in Northern Ireland on Thursday night, following mainly peaceful protests, including in the Templemore Avenue area of east Belfast, where bricks were thrown through the windows of two houses in Avoniel Road in what police have called a racially motivated attack. A small fire at the Manse Road roundabout in Newtownabbey was also reported, and anti-immigration hate graffiti is being investigated in Newtownards. Meanwhile, a house fire in the Mount Street area of Coleraine which led to the evacuation of a family with three young children is being treated as deliberate and a racially motivated hate crime. The Police Federation, which represents rank and file officers, said that since violence erupted in Ballymena on Monday, 63 officers have been injured. Federation chairman Liam Kelly said it has been 'a week of shame with appalling levels of unrest in towns and cities'. 'Burning people out of their homes, attacking a leisure centre, and the specific targeting of individuals and property fuelled by overt racism and prejudice, is totally deplorable,' he said. 'Yet again, our overstretched police officers have also been attacked with petrol bombs, bricks and fireworks as they sought to keep people safe and maintain law and order. 'They have held the line with great courage and professionalism and are owed a debt of gratitude by this community. 'They went to the aid of vulnerable people, have prevented further savage attacks and have undoubtedly saved lives.' Police Service of Northern Ireland Chief Constable Jon Boutcher warned on Thursday that his officers would be coming after the 'bigots and racists' behind the disorder. He also said that the young girl who was the victim of an alleged sexual assault in Ballymena at the weekend had been 'further traumatised' by the rioting across the week.
The Independent
13-06-2025
- The Independent
63 police officers injured in ‘week of shame' in Northern Ireland
Some 63 police officers have been injured in what has been called a 'week of shame' in Northern Ireland. Disorder started in Ballymena on Monday after an alleged sexual assault of a girl in the Co Antrim town at the weekend, and continued throughout the week. A number of homes were targeted, and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive has said about 50 households have received assistance across the week, and 14 families provided with emergency accommodation. While disorder in Ballymena raged across Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday nights, it appeared to have abated on Thursday. However there was still disorder in Portadown. There have also been incidents in other towns, including the burning of Larne Leisure Centre on Wednesday and an arson attack on a house in Coleraine in the early hours of Friday from which a man and woman, and four young children escaped. It is being treated by police as arson with a racially-motivated hate element. Twenty-two police officers were injured in overnight disorder in Portadown after they came under sustained attack with heavy masonry, fireworks and beer kegs in the Co Armagh town on Thursday. A woman in her 50s and a man in his 30s were arrested on suspicion of riotous behaviour and other offences in connection with the disorder in Portadown. There was also sporadic disorder elsewhere in Northern Ireland on Thursday night, following mainly peaceful protests, including in the Templemore Avenue area of east Belfast, where bricks were thrown through the windows of two houses in Avoniel Road in what police have called a racially motivated attack. A small fire at the Manse Road roundabout in Newtownabbey was also reported, and anti-immigration hate graffiti is being investigated in Newtownards. Meanwhile, a house fire in the Mount Street area of Coleraine which led to the evacuation of a family with three young children is being treated as deliberate and a racially motivated hate crime. Additional police officers from Scotland will support the Police Service of Northern Ireland after a mutual aid request. The Police Federation, which represents rank and file officers, said that since violence erupted in Ballymena on Monday, 63 officers have been injured. Federation chairman Liam Kelly said it has been 'a week of shame with appalling levels of unrest in towns and cities'. 'Burning people out of their homes, attacking a leisure centre, and the specific targeting of individuals and property fuelled by overt racism and prejudice, is totally deplorable,' he said. 'Yet again, our overstretched police officers have also been attacked with petrol bombs, bricks and fireworks as they sought to keep people safe and maintain law and order. 'They have held the line with great courage and professionalism and are owed a debt of gratitude by this community. 'They went to the aid of vulnerable people, have prevented further savage attacks and have undoubtedly saved lives.' Mr Kelly called for an end to the violence. 'This has been a week of shame with hate-filled rioters turning our streets into battle zones, targeting people and property simply because of their perceived nationality or the colour of their skin,' he said. 'We will continue to police our society without fear or favour, and all persons, irrespective of their background, race, colour or creed, who are engaged in any criminality, should expect to be the subject of our criminal justice processes. 'We cannot have sections of our society blatantly disregarding the law and bringing their own twisted version of justice to bear. 'As we head into the weekend, I would once again appeal for calm. Bringing violence, fear and uncertainty to our streets is totally unacceptable and must stop. 'I would ask all parents to speak with their children, know where they are going in the evenings, and actively encourage them to be civically responsible.' Police Service of Northern Ireland Chief Constable Jon Boutcher warned on Thursday that his officers would be coming after the 'bigots and racists' behind the disorder. He also said that the young girl who was the victim of an alleged sexual assault in Ballymena at the weekend had been 'further traumatised' by the rioting across the week. In a statement on Friday, Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said police had come under sustained attack in Portadown. 'Officers deployed a variety of public order tactics to restore order to the town as quickly as possible,' he said. 'Twenty-two officers were injured and I am so grateful to them for their bravery and selfless dedication in protecting the community of Portadown from this criminality. 'We saw calm in Ballymena and I hope the powerful words of the family who asked for calm during this really difficult time were heard and continue to be heard over the coming days.' He said that while two arrests have been made so far in terms of the disorder in Portadown, more will follow. 'I repeat, once more, our appeal for calm across Northern Ireland in the coming days,' he said.
