Kelly: Plea to parents after ‘worrying’ incident in Strabane

SDLP Councillor Patsy Kelly has urgently appealed to parents to make sure they know the whereabouts of their children after what he described as a “worrying” incident in Strabane last night.

Cllr Kelly made the plea after a number of teenagers were hospitalised after they were found unconscious at a party in Strabane.

Cllr Kelly said: “This was an extremely worrying incident where a number of teenagers from as far away as Letterkenny attended an open air party close to Strabane Golf Club.

“From what the PSNI have told me, crowds of up to 50 were drinking at this party, which had reportedly been organised through social media.

“We could have been looking at a very different scenario today so, again, I appeal to parents to know where their children are when they go out.

“The incident last night involved several resources involving police, the Ambulance Service and local search and rescue services. Thankfully no one was seriously injured, or worse, but parents must learn from this.

“Parents must take responsibility for their children at all times and they should know exactly where they are and who they are with. For parents, the safety of their children should be of paramount concern.”   

Byrne discusses Agri-Policy with Ulster Farmers Union delegation

This week West Tyrone SDLP MLA and Vice-Chairperson of the Stormont Agriculture Committee, Joe Byrne met with a delegation from the Ulster Farmers Union to discuss Agri-Policy and CAP Reform.

Mr Byrne said "I have had a meeting with Ulster Farmers Union President Harry Sinclair, CEO Clark Black and Senior Policy Officer Wesley Ashton. During the meeting with we had a wide ranging discussion around the CAP flat rate payments system, transition for the new Cap review in 2014 and 2020, as well as other matters like Single Farm Payment entitlements and Greening."

"I was joined by my SDLP Assembly colleagues and we emphasised the need to achieve fairness and equality in relation to CAP reform going forward so that Agri-Production in Northern Ireland can be sustained and enhanced so rural communities can survive."  

"The SDLP under my direction as Agricultural Spokesperson has been having numerous meetings with farming interests groups in Northern Ireland, concentrating particularly on the CAP Reform Proposals. The SDLP is committed to helping new farmer entrants and young farmer's interests."

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."

Byrne meets Special Olympics athlete from Strabane at Stormont event

SDLP MLA for West Tyrone Joe Byrne today met with Special Olympics participants at Stormont, including an athlete from Strabane.   

The MLA attended the Ulster Special Olympics Athletes awareness and information event where he met two local people - Mr Billy Mc Intyre and his step-son Julian.

Mr Byrne said Julian will be competing at the All Ireland Special Olympics finals in Limerick in June.

The MLA said: “It was great to see the energy and enthusiasm of the Special Olympian Athletes who attended the event.

“Special Olympics Ireland is a fantastic organisation that is providing great encouragement and support to these special people who are so keen to partake in athletics and other sports.”

Byrne: Cap money for rural development still in doubt

Joe Byrne, SDLP MLA and Vice Chair of the Assembly Agriculture Committee, says the CAP money for Rural Development is still in doubt since the High Court action between the two Executive ministers in December.

Speaking after the Rural Development debate in the Assembly on Monday Joe Byrne said: ‘’The debate on Rural Development in relation to Pillar 1 to Pillar 11 transfers has gleaned no further progress from the DARD Minister or from the Executive as a whole. The turf war squabble between Minister O Neill and Minister Hamilton is still on-going, and no sign of a resolution in sight.

“The conclusion of the debate whereby the DUP and Sinn Fein jointly defeated the substantive debate adds further fuel to the debate they are both more interested in potential squabbling for electoral purposes.

“Unfortunately, the real interest of farmers and the rural community, in general, has not yet been tackled by Minister O’Neill with her colleague Minister Hamilton. Both Ministers, and both the DUP and Sinn Fein seem intent on prolonging the squabble and milking it for pure political gamesmanship.’’

KELLY: Single Farm Payment delays leaving farmers under pressure

SDLP Strabane councillor Patsy Kelly says delays in Single Farm Payments are leaving some farmers under pressure and struggling to pay bills.

Cllr Kelly says concern is mounting as some farmers have revealed they are facing pressure to pay their autumn bills.

Mr Kelly said: “The picture is really only starting to emerge. Farmers who have contacted the SDLP say they were expecting to receive their Single Farm Payment two to three weeks ago. They’re saying they would use that payment to pay suppliers for a variety of items, such as meal and fuel bills and, in some cases, the banks.

“Now, they’re saying they've been told their land is to be inspected and they’ll have to just wait. Farmers are saying they should have been forewarned that payment would be delayed because at least they would have had time to make alternative arrangements to pay off suppliers and keep them happy, and in other cases, negotiate with the bank.

“What we’re seeing is serious pressure being placed on the finances of some farmers, and their cash flow. In some cases there is already enough pressure, so they don’t need this.

“I will be raising the matter with our Agriculture spokesperson, West Tyrone MLA Joe Byrne, who is vice-chairperson of the Assembly Agriculture Committee, to ensure the concerns of farmers are heard at the Assembly."