Latest news with #andStrabaneDistrictCouncil
Belfast Telegraph
16-05-2025
- General
- Belfast Telegraph
NI council reveals findings of investigation into ‘rodent activity' on busy walkway after ‘concerning' video emerges
After a video showing dozens of rats scurrying along the quayside in the city was shared online, Derry and Strabane District Council began an investigation. The council has now said that it has 'implemented immediate measures to assist local landowners and businesses to address this issue'. The council added that its Environmental Health team has determined that rodents were not nesting within the area of the planters on the quayside, but were using the planters as 'transit routes' to access food elsewhere. A spokesperson added: 'The Council is taking proactive steps to ensure the swift resolution of this situation, including the removal of some of planters in order to disrupt these pathways. "We are also actively engaging with relevant third-party landowners in the vicinity to ensure comprehensive pest control measures are implemented across the area. Public health remains our top priority, and we will continue to monitor the situation closely.' The video, which received over 500,000 views on TikTok, shows dozens of rats scurrying around the popular walkway. Ciaran Faulkner, who captured the footage, said the video 'didn't really do it justice', as there were many more of the vermin running around. He added that he'd never seen so many rats in the area. He said: 'It seems to be getting worse — and around food places; it just isn't good. 'How could you not be concerned for health and safety?' Patricia Page from North West Pest Control said that the rodents appearing from the planters is 'indicative of a bad issue', and gave her insight for how the problem could be combatted. 'You'll generally only see rats during the day if there's competition for food,' she said. 'In that particular video it's clear to see that there's quite an overgrowth of vegetation. In my opinion I would advise cutting that way back to minimise harbourage.' The pest expert added: 'I would either put them flat on the ground or ideally raise them up a bit more. "If the rat doesn't feel secure in a particular environment then they'll move on." Derry City and Strabane People Before Profit councillor Shaun Harkin said: 'Sightings of rodents along the quay are concerning, especially for establishments providing food.' He added that he would 'urge businesses and everyone using the area to ensure all possible steps are taken to ensure health and safety are the priority'.
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Mayor subjected to online 'campaign of disinformation'
The leader of the SDLP has condemned a "deliberate campaign of disinformation and smearing" directed towards the mayor of Derry City and Strabane. Speaking on Wednesday, Claire Hanna said online abuse of Lilian Seenoi Barr in recent weeks had both "implied and very direct racist undertones". Hanna said the abuse comes after a man was jailed last month for posting abusive messages online toward Seenoi Barr. Seenoi Barr, who was born in Kenya and became the first black mayor in Northern Ireland last year, said the past week has been "deeply distressing". She said she has reported the abuse to police and reassessed her security. In a statement, police said they received a report on 24 February in relation to online posts and commentary. "Enquiries are ongoing, and will continue to be reviewed to identify any potential offences," the police said. Derry City and Strabane area commander Ch Supt Gillian Kearney said the police will "continue to work with and support the mayor to ensure she feels safe in her workplace". "To that end, we are working with Derry City and Strabane District Council to provide reassurance," the senior officer added. Lilian Seenoi Barr and Claire Hanna, flanked by party colleagues, addressed a press conference in Derry's Guildhall on Wednesday. "The past week has been deeply distressing seeing lies, disinformation and malicious attacks spread about me, simply because of my firm and reasoned commitment to fighting racism and injustice in our society," Seenoi Barr said. "I want to be very clear, I will not be deterred by name-calling, the smearing of my character and certainly not by online attacks by those who offer nothing constructive to society." The mayor said she has also been humbled by the support that she has received in the wake of "malicious smearing and lies". She said the attacks are "rooted in prejudice" and believes she has been targeted because of her ethnicity and background. "I am a Maasai woman and a Derry Girl," she said. Seenoi Barr said she is proud to call Derry her home and that the abuse she has received will not deter her from her carrying out her duties as mayor. "Whether people like it or not I have earned my position as mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council," she said. Seenoi Barr said such online attacks can deter people from ethnic minority backgrounds aspiring to hold public office "if serious action is not taken". "This is a city I am proud to represent and proud to call my home - it will not stand for division or racism." In a statement, Ch Supt Kearney said any abuse, harassment or criminality directed at our elected representatives "is totally unacceptable and will be thoroughly investigated". "We will continue to do all we can to ensure that our elected representatives are supported, and they can undertake their role free from abuse, harassment and intimidation," she added.
