Latest news with #OmaghDistrictCouncil
Belfast Telegraph
13-05-2025
- Belfast Telegraph
‘People felt threatened and intimidated': Anger as ‘boy racers' run amok in NI forest park
So-called boy racers have been causing a disturbance by dangerous driving activities in the car park at Gortin Glens Forest Park. The matter was raised at Fermanagh and Omagh District Council. SDLP councillor Bernard McGrath outlined concerns at the Environmental Services Committee meeting, saying: 'The boy racers were back. This is the third time I've mentioned this in two years and there doesn't seem to be any progress. 'The big difference this time is they were there early, from around 7 o'clock while members of the public were using the facility, who were left feeling threatened and intimidated.' John News, director of Environment and Place, confirmed: 'We are aware of the anti-social behaviour and we received reports from residents and members of the public. 'It is quite rightly noted this has been an ongoing challenge, and it's worth highlighting what the council has done.' He set out how additional signage has been installed as well as 'No Return' plates in the scenic drive at top exit. Consideration has been given to closing the automatic gate at the entrance at certain times, however on this occasion the antisocial behaviour and dangerous driving was at an earlier time. 'We are also continuing to go through a process of installing CCTV cameras throughout the park in an attempt to establish what will deter this sort of behaviour, which is completely unacceptable, particularly as we come into the brighter nights,' he added. Mr News added: 'The damage in the car park was caused by skid marks from 'doughnutting' and thankfully nobody was hurt. 'There were no accidents of damage to property, vehicles or pedestrians. 'This brings home the importance of an appropriate separation between vehicles and pedestrians in an area like this. 'We continue to act and are engaging with police. The correct actions were taken around what is antisocial driving.' He concluded by encouraging anyone witnesses such behaviour to report it to the PSNI, who 'have previously stepped up drive-bys through the park at certain times, but they can't be there 24/7'. Mr McGrath suggested if there was more of a presence of council staff and rangers, it may deter the behaviour. This was supported by Sinn Fein councillor Anne Marie Fitzgerald, who noted boy-racers 'are very opportunistic, who nip in and out very quickly'. She continued: 'It's a highly-visited spot and a more visible presence might help, although I don't wasn't to put anyone in danger. 'This is something the council has to keep in mind.' Mr. News advised staffing the facility constantly was not viable; however 'CCTV footage is the possible solution, whereby footage is captured identifying a vehicle which is then passed to police'. News Catch Up - Tuesday 13 May In response to an enquiry around to timescales for CCTV cameras from UUP councillor Roy Crawford, Mr News said the council is working through the process of privacy impact assessments and identifying suitable locations. He concluded: 'One of the challenges given the opportunistic nature of this antisocial behaviour is putting in a single fixed CCTV [camera] isn't going to be the solution, because when it's in one location, people will simply avoid it. 'We are looking at using mobile cameras to detect the incidents where they are happening.'
BBC News
25-04-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Supreme Court ruling: Equality Commission to publish formal guidance
Northern Ireland's Equality Commission has said it aims to publish new formal guidance in June after the Supreme Court's ruling that a woman is defined by biological court had been asked to decide on the proper interpretation of the 2010 Equality Act, which applies across Great Britain, but not in Northern comes as Fermanagh and Omagh District Council said it would be implementing the provisions of the Supreme Court's ruling across its Equality Commission said it would "advise all employers and service providers, including councils, to review any policies that the Supreme Court judgment may impact on". "As always, we advise them to come to us for advice relevant to their particular circumstances prior to making any changes," it Supreme Court ruling has major implications for single-sex spaces in GB, such as female changing rooms and News NI's The Nolan Show asked a number of public bodies in Northern Ireland - including health trusts, government departments and councils - how they plan to react to the Supreme Court's Department of Finance, Department of Communities and Department of Health also stated they were considering potential implcations. While most council also said they were still considering the ruling's implications, Fermanagh and Omagh said they "will be developing new guidance for the use of changing rooms at leisure facilities and toilets further to the Supreme Court ruling".The council added that they will "review the equality screening of our policies to identify any anomalies that may have arisen as a result of the Supreme Court ruling". "Should the screening highlight any particular issues or concerns which require amendment or new policy development, these may be the subject of public consultation." 'A spit in the face' Alexa Moore is the policy, campaigns and communications manager at the Rainbow Project and said that Fermanagh and Omagh District Council have "jumped the gun"."It's quite concerning for trans [people], but also wider LGBT communities in Fermanagh because you have to ask the question: 'How is this going to be enforced, are we going to have council workers paid to stand on-site and do genital inspections on people trying to use leisure facilities?'"It's frankly bizarre and I do think they're really jumping the gun here," Ms Moore said. 'Dismayed and angered' In a statement, Omagh Pride said they were "dismayed and angered" by the council statement on the Supreme Court ruling."This is yet another decision that would have a deeply adverse impact on trans people, adding to isolation and putting their safety at risk."We call on our local elected representatives to immediately and clearly speak out against this statement from Fermanagh & Omagh District Council and to ensure that no changes to policy are implemented which would undermine the rights and risk the safety of trans people."
BBC News
22-04-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Books of condolence opened for Pope Francis
Books of condolence are being opened at buildings across Northern Ireland, following the death of Pope Francis. He died on Easter Monday at his residence in the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta 88-year-old was elected in March 2013 after Pope Benedict XVI stood 2018, he became only the second pope in the church's history to visit Ireland. Political leaders from across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland have joined the outpouring of tributes to Pope Francis.A book of condolence has been opened at Armagh Cathedral for visitors. Meanwhile, Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council and Fermanagh and Omagh District Council have opened online books of condolence in memory of Pope Francis, with other councils expected to follow suit in the coming days. At the scene in Armagh, Cormac Campbell reports:Throughout the morning a steady stream of people came to St Patrick's Cathedral to sign a special book of them were Siobhan Keegan from Markethill. She said: "I felt it was important to represent the family. The rest are across the water. He was a very special Pope. A very humble Pope."He lived the way he wanted people to." Kieran Grimes had come to the cathedral with his family, some who had travelled from Carlow. He said: "As I sat down it was the thoughts that came into my mind that I wrote. I hope there's peace and prosperity in the world. He was a good man."Doreen Lappin said she hoped the next Pope would continue Pope Francis' work."I believe he was a very good, humble man who tried to speak out for the underprivileged. If my faith has anything to do with being a Catholic it's that I'll aspire to. I hope his successor continues to do that. A voice for those who can't be heard," she Thursday evening at 19:00 BST a special memorial mass will take place in the Cathedral. 'Genuine humility' Speaking on Good Morning Ulster on Tuesday, Rev Trevor Gribbon, Clerk of the Presbyterian General Assembly and General Secretary of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland said Pope Francis was someone who set a different said: "His genuine humility came across and I think that began at his election to office when the very first thing he said to the cardinals was that he was doing this as a sinner."Rev Gribbon said that although his Church differs with the Catholic Church, Pope Francis "taught us that we can differ well, and we shouldn't pretend to agree on everything.""He was a global leader who undoubtedly connected with many people throughout the world, throughout the Church and outside of it. He was an advocate for others, he usually always spoke with a focus on the poor and marginalised," he said. Gráinne, Shéa and Grace from St Patrick's College in Dungannon, were part of a group from their school who made the pilgrimage to Rome in said that visiting Rome allowed him to deepen his said: "Pope Francis taught me to live a simple life, he wasn't up for a lavish lifestyle, he lived in a humble apartment and had a normal car so he taught us to be happy in a simple life."I hope the new pope will finish what he has started in reforming the church."Grace said visiting Rome was life changing for her."I was sad not to meet the Pope as he was unwell but it was a good experience," she described Pope Francis as a humble man and said he helped to broaden her said: "Through social media he boosted faith with young people and talked about war and hope, and encouraging people to live in peace."Gráinne said: "I think he was a great encouragement for ones our age as teenagers, he always wanted to encourage us to take on more things like the Pope John Paul Award, to get in touch with our community and parish."
