Latest news with #NaomiLong
Daily Mirror
3 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Hate crime horror as slurry spread hours before town's first-ever Pride parade
Police have launched an investigation into the incident, with a 19-year-old man arrested and condemnation from politicians over the horrific incident hours before people take to the streets Slurry was spread on the streets of a town just hours before its first Pride parade. An investigation has been launched after slurry was spread across Ballymena in Northern Ireland, hours before the first Pride parade in the town's history is set to start. Police said a 19-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and possession of a bladed or pointed item. He remains in custody for questioning. The incident has been condemned widely, with North Antrim Alliance MLA Sian Mulholland speaking out what happened this morning. She said the Pride parade, due to take place on Saturday, will be the first in the town's history. I want to unreservedly condemn those who spread slurry on the streets of Ballymena ahead of the town's first-ever Pride parade today," she said. "There is no place for this kind of disgusting and deliberate attempt to intimidate, disrupt, or shame those taking part in a peaceful and joyful celebration of love, identity, and community. "I have spoken directly with the parade organisers and the PSNI, and our team has engaged with Mid and East Antrim Borough Council to ensure cleansing takes place urgently and the route is made safe and welcoming for all. "Ballymena Pride is a historic and hopeful moment for our town. No amount of hate will drown out the message of inclusion, solidarity, and pride that today represents. "I would urge anyone with any information about the incident to contact police or report it anonymously via Crimestoppers." At least one street on the parade route is believed to have been covered in faecal matter, with it leaving a foul stench in the town, Irish News reports. Justice Minister Naomi Long wrote on X: "I despair the mentality of those who spread slurry on the streets of their town motivated by hate and bigotry. "Disgusting in every sense of the word. Solidarity to all at Ballymena Pride. It's a frightening time but love will always triumph over hate." MLA Eoin Tennyson said on X: "Sending my support and solidarity to everyone attending Ballymena Pride today, after bigots spread slurry on the parade route. At a time when hard-won rights are under attack, vigilance and visibility matter more than ever. Love will always trump hate." A PSNI spokesperson said: "Police in Ballymena have arrested a man after officers on patrol in the Granville Drive area observed slurry on the road at around 2.55am this morning. 'A 19-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and possession of a blade/point. He remains in police custody at this time. 'The matter is being treated as a hate crime and enquiries are ongoing.'
Belfast Telegraph
3 hours ago
- Belfast Telegraph
Teenager arrested after slurry spread in Ballymena hours before town's first Pride parade
Police are treating the incident, which happened overnight, as a hate crime. The 19-year-old male was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and possession of a bladed or pointed item. He remains in custody. The Pride parade is scheduled to take place this afternoon. Organisers have said the event is an effort to celebrate "diversity, inclusion and cross-community unity.' The slurry incident has been widely condemned today. Alliance MLA Sian Mulholland said 'There is no place for this kind of disgusting and deliberate attempt to intimidate, disrupt or shame those taking part in a peaceful and joyful celebration of love, identity and community. 'I have spoken directly with the parade organisers and the PSNI, and our team has engaged with Mid and East Antrim Borough Council to ensure cleansing takes place urgently and the route is made safe and welcoming for all. News Catch Up - Friday 27th June 'Ballymena Pride is a historic and hopeful moment for our town. No amount of hate will drown out the message of inclusion, solidarity, and pride that today represents.' Justice Minister Naomi Long said on X: 'I despair the mentality of those who spread slurry on the streets of their town motivated by hate and bigotry. Disgusting in every sense of the word. 'Solidarity to all at Ballymena Pride. It's a frightening time but love will always triumph over hate.' The PSNI said: 'Police in Ballymena have arrested a man after officers on patrol in the Granville Drive area observed slurry on the road at around 2.55am this morning. 'A 19-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and possession of a blade/point. He remains in police custody at this time. 'The matter is being treated as a hate crime and enquiries are ongoing.'
ITV News
2 days ago
- Health
- ITV News
Thousands of pounds worth of potentially life-threatening tablets seized as part of major operation
In just five months, the police seized 100,000 powerful fake anti-anxiety tablets that can be life-threatening. They are called pregabalin, although on the streets they are known as Belfast buds. The Health Minister, Mike Nesbitt, has described the drug as "widespread in society" and warned that the tablets seized have a "strength of 300mg" but "75mg is the normal dosage". "So even if that is genuine stuff and passes any kind of regulatory test, it's far, far too strong, and it's damaging people's lives up to the point of putting those lives at risk," he said. Hundreds of weight-loss kits, sold on the black market for up to £400, have also also been seized. They were discovered as part of a worldwide operation known as 'Pangea'; the police then carried out follow up searches and interviewed a number of suspects. "You're not just putting money in the pockets of people who are reckless with regard to your health and wellbeing, but also will be using that money to fund other criminal enterprises," warned the Justice Minister. Naomi Long added: "Do not play Russian roulette with your health because that's what you do. You take one of these pills, you do not know what you're taking. "It could be anything from rat droppings to rat poison that's in those tablets, and you're taking that into your body and putting your life at risk. It is not worth the risk." Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know.
BreakingNews.ie
2 days ago
- Health
- BreakingNews.ie
Politicians respond after paedophile GP caught with child abuse images avoids jail
Northern Ireland's Health Minister has said he was content that due process was followed in the handling of a GP convicted of having indecent images of children. Alan Trevor Campbell (40), of Silverbrook Park in Newbuildings, Co Derry, pleaded guilty to 11 offences around possessing indecent images of children on dates between October 2014 and January 2022. Advertisement He was sentenced on Tuesday to 75 hours of community service and given a two-year probation order. The North's Public Prosecution Service said prosecutors are 'carefully considering the sentence to determine whether there is a legal basis to refer them to the Court of Appeal'. On Thursday, Stormont Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said he was 'disappointed by what happened', adding: 'I would have liked something a bit stronger'. 'In terms of the regulations, I am content that we have followed due process and that nothing has been done that affects patients or indeed the other members of that practice,' he said. Advertisement In terms of the sentence, he added: 'I think we also need to think about the message that sends out to society in terms of those who might be thinking about viewing and collecting that sort of image.' Justice Minister Naomi Long said the type of images referenced in the case are taken very seriously. 'When it comes to sentencing, it is a matter for the independent judiciary to set those sentences,' she said. 'I understand the PPS has already indicated that they are now looking at that sentence with a view to finding out whether there are legal grounds on which to appeal it for undue leniency, and as a live case before the PPS and potentially the courts, it wouldn't be appropriate for me as justice minister to express an opinion on what I think of the sentence. Advertisement 'I will say this however, we take images of this nature very seriously. 'The fact that these are non contact offences does not mean that children have not been harmed in their making and their distribution, and it's important to recognise that every image that is used in this context is an image of child abuse, some of these were category A abuse images, and those are the most serious kind. 'We are absolutely united in wanting to safeguard children here, which is our primary responsibility, but also not to turn a blind eye to the abuse of children in other places in order to produce this material for use in Northern Ireland.' Ireland Paedophile sports coach (91) becomes one of the ol... Read More A PPS spokesperson said: 'While sentencing is a matter for the independent judiciary, the Director of Public Prosecutions does have the power to refer certain sentences to the Court of Appeal on the grounds that they may be unduly lenient. Advertisement 'An unduly lenient sentence is one that falls outside the range of sentences that a judge, taking into consideration all relevant factors and having regard to sentencing guidelines, could reasonably consider appropriate. 'The prosecution team, including Counsel, are carefully considering the sentences imposed in this case to determine whether there is a legal basis to refer them to the Court of Appeal.'
BBC News
2 days ago
- Health
- BBC News
Operation Pangea: Illegal tablets worth £1.1m seized in NI
Counterfeit and illicit medicines, with a street value of about £1.1m, have been seized during a major operation targeting criminal drugs, which were destined for Northern Ireland, were recovered over a five month period from December 2024 to May than 846,000 tablets were seized including diazepam which is used to treat anxiety, pregabalin which is used to medicate epilepsy and anxiety, steroids, botox and weight loss major crackdown is part of Operation Pangea, an international initiative led by Interpol. Keeping money away from gangs Justice Minister Naomi Long said the operation was removing cash from the pockets of organised crime gangs."This is an initiative led globally by Interpol, which aims to combat the illegal online trade in counterfeit and unlicensed medicines and health products," she added."Operation Pangea doesn't just disrupt criminal activity, it also gives us a platform to raise awareness about the dangers of purchasing medicines online which can often be unregulated, counterfeit and potentially deadly."We need to recognise this is just one part of a much larger ongoing effort." Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI)'s Assistant Chief Constable Davy Beck said the destruction and devastation caused by illicit pharmaceuticals "must not be underestimated"."I want to send a very clear message to those involved in the supply of counterfeit prescription drugs that we will do everything in our power to disrupt their activities as part of our sustained drive against drugs and criminality." 'Unregulated and counterfeit drugs' The Health Minister Mike Nesbitt warned the drugs were "unregulated, substandard and counterfeit.""What concerns me is the damage that could do to individuals who were taking those, either in good faith or because they are being forced into it," he added."These organised crime groups are only interested in themselves and the damage they are doing to individuals, and the pressure that is putting on the health and social care system, is something that we have to deal with."
