SDLP MINISTER DELIVERED DERELICTION FUNDING – MCINTYRE

SDLP Derg Candidate Jim McIntyre has welcomed Cllr Hussey’s endorsement of the SDLP’s welcome of the dereliction funding now being deployed in Castlederg town centre.  Mr McIntyre responding to Cllr Hussey’s confusion welcomed the comments and clarified the SDLP position on the issue of dereliction.

Mr McIntyre said “I agree with Cllr Hussey that these environmental improvements are long overdue and very much welcome at a time when our town centres and small businesses are struggling.  Whilst I congratulate Mr Hussey on his continuing hard work, I must also point out that the SDLP have proactively highlighted the state of these properties and have written to the Minister for the Environment and DSD on several occasions.”

“Joe Byrne MLA and I discussed such issues regarding Castlederg with our SDLP colleague Minister Alex Attwood and his successor Mark H Durkan who then granted the £200,000 funding to Strabane Council to allocate across the district in a bid to tackle derelict eyesores such as these.”

“I would also ask Cllr Hussey to refresh his memory to the summer when Joe Byrne MLA and I escorted Minister Durkan to a number of derelict sites around Castlederg town where he engaged with local business owners and residents.  Whilst I stand to be corrected, I recall Cllr Hussey ‘popping over’ requesting a quick word with the SDLP team on the ground that morning. I also recall a group picture including Cllr Hussey with SDLP representatives and the Minister outside a local business.”

“I struggle to understand how Cllr Hussey has ‘no recollection of SDLP Representatives addressing the issue of dereliction in the Derg area’ when he met with the SDLP group that morning and even found time to pose for a picture which I have provided to refresh his memory.”

Mr McIntyre concluded by adding “I would invite Cllr Hussey to enlighten me further as to when the UUP Minister visited the people of Castlederg and whether he delivered anything of real benefit? The same question can be posed quite strongly to the three Sinn Fein Councillors regarding their many Ministers and whether local people have benefited. The SDLP MLA Joe Byrne and I will continue lobbying on any issues of concern to Castlederg Residents. I would also like to thank my SDLP colleague Alex Attwood for allocating the £200,000 and Mark Durkan for his visit to the Derg.”

SDLP: PLEA OVER DRINKING CRAZE

SDLP MLA for West Tyrone Joe Byrne is appealing to young people to stay away from a dangerous online drinking game in which participants are challenged to down a drink.

Mon 3rd February

Mr Byrne spoke of his concern about the new online trend which he said could lead to young people being placed in vulnerable situations

Mr Byrne said: "The popularity of this reckless craze has become increasingly concerning for parents and families across the North. It is believed to have begun in Australia and spread from there, with many of our young people taking it to extremes, downing large quantities of spirits and other alcoholic and intoxicating mixtures, sometimes with dangerous results.

"I am told that the aim of the ‘neknomination’is to down a pint of alcohol and then nominate someone else to do the same, giving them a window of 24 hours to do so. Most people who take part make a video of themselves carrying it out, and post it on social media platforms such as Facebook or Twitter.

"I have noticed a number of uploads on social media, including Facebook, since last night and would urge those participating in this recklessness trend to consider the dangers this presents and the carnage it has already caused to the families of the two young lives lost.

"This is not a game. It is destroying lives. I would call on people to take these concerns seriously and look after their health and wellbeing by not participating in this 'game', and to protect their friends from the serious risks associated with it by not nominating them to take part."