To smoke or not to smoke?

March 10, 2013 by BriegeH

Listening to the radio I heard people complaining about people standing at the entrances of hospital smoking. I can agree with the fact that it doesn’t look good, especially when a patient with a drip is at the door smoking, but should the hospital not have a designated area for them to go to?

The smoking ban came into effect on Monday 30^th of April 2007, which made it illegal to smoke in the workplace and also in enclosed and substantially enclosed public places. Since the ban came into play, many establishments have created smoking areas to cater for all their customers. The ban was introduced to protect those who were having to inhale second hand smoke, which according to research could be more harmful than actually smoking. Yet in some cases, especially on nights out, the smoking areas are usually packed, with smokers and non-smokers alike, as it’s seen as the place where all the craic is.

There are around 2,300 people who die each year in Northern Ireland from smoking related diseases; among those are lung disease and heart disease.

Quitting smoking is not as easy just waking up and deciding to, it takes much willpower and can often mean that the person needs support, by using things like nicotine gum, patches and electric cigarettes. Some people even get acupuncture, laser therapy and hypnosis in their quest to give up cigarettes. It can take up to more than one attempt for some people to finally give up.

But should those who want to continue smoking be given a hard time about their choice? Like with everything that causes controversy the ‘right of choice’ should be allowed. If the person knows all the dangers and risks that comes with smoking, should they not be able to choose to smoke?

If you do want to quit smoking, get intouch with your doctor and they will be able to give you the information you need.

Should Schools Be Integrated?

March 9, 2013 by BriegeH

An Executive Strategy for a Shared Future is a document that was released a couple of weeks ago by the Alliance Party. The document details proposals that the Alliance Party believe will help us move forward as province with a shared future in mind. Some of the proposals however have not gone down to well with other politicians and members of the public.

One main area of contention was the proposal that schools should be integrated. An integrated school in Northern Ireland is when the school body is made up of reasonable number of children from both catholic and protestant backgrounds. Integrated schools are also open to other cultural and ethnic groups.

According to MLA Sean Rogers, a spokesperson from SDLP Education integrated schools would not be a satisfactory solution.

Rogers has said, ‘I am concerned about their proposals for integrated education which seem to eliminate parental choice entirely, which is a cornerstone of any effective education system. It is clear that the Alliance Party see no role whatsoever for faith based education and this is the fundamental flow of their proposals.’

Rogers also added, ‘Our priority must be to continue to strive for the highest standards in education learning and give young people access to a broad range of high quality educational institutions.’

Would it really be all that bad is if all schools in Northern Ireland did become integrated? I think that integrated schools may be a good idea, now I am not saying this lightly or without any knowledge about the differences in both the syllabus and the sense of community of faith based schools and integrated schools. I attended a school that had a faith based education and my sister attended an integrated school, and to be honest my sister was taught to the same standards that I was.

In fact she was taught more on tolerance of other cultures and was not influenced by biased viewpoints on certain topics. For example Irish history lessons were not one sided at her school as she was given information on how both sides of the divide felt about certain incidents and this has allowed her to understand the anger felt on both sides and it has allowed her to become more tolerant.

Well that is just my experience, what are your thoughts on integrated schools?

Collision In Newry

January 30, 2013 by BriegeH

There was a one vehicle collision in the Greenbank Industrial Estate in Newry on Tuesday afternoon. It took the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service crew 30minutes to extract two people from the vehicle. Luckily the most serious injuries appear to have been a couple of broken bones.

It appears that there were four males in the silver Vauxhall Astra at the time of the collision on the Ballinacraig Way in the Industrial Estate. Two of the males who are 17 and 18 were taken to Daisy Hill hospital for treatment but their injuries are not believed to be life threatening.

As the accident happened during the Southern Regional College Campus lunchtime the Newry and Mourne PSNI believe that there would have been many other cars and pedestrians in the area, and they are appealing for any witnesses to come forward with information. They are also particularly interested in information about a female driver in a black Audi A3. You can contact them on 0845 600 8000.

Vandalism At NI Water Site In Annsborough

January 30, 2013 by BriegeH

There has been increased concern as senseless acts of vandalism continue to happen at the wastewater treatment works in Annsborough. NI Water has claimed that the damage so far is too cost around £100,000. A number of politicians have spoken out about the incidents.

Margaret Ritchie the South Down MP has said, I condemn the despicable actions of vandals who have been responsible for attacking this waste water treatment works in County Down 24 times over the last 12 months. These vandals have shown a total disregard for the local community and the plant in Annsborough which is responsible for treating raw sewage from 2,100 properties in Castlewellan and Annsborough.’

She also added, ‘I would urge anyone who may have seen anything suspicious at the plant over the weekend to come forward and help the police with their enquiries.’

Ritchie is not the only politician to express concern, as Eamon O’Neill a SDLP Councillor from the Newcastle area has also said, ‘I just find it unbelievable that there were 24 separate attacks on this vital installation which services around 2100 properties in the area. This looks like more than wanton vandalism… and more like a systematic campaign!’

He went on to say, ‘This provision was hard fought for and badly needed to cope with the demands of our growing community especially with a big local increase in housing. When we had the old system on that site there were constant problems with overflowing and leakage and at the time I made strong representations for upgrading.’

Inquest Into Deaths Of Spence Men

January 29, 2013 by BriegeH

An inquest into the deaths of Nevin Spence, the Ulster rugby player, and his brother Graham and father Noel took place this week. The Spence men died tragically on their farm in Hillsborough last year on the 15^th of September.

The slurry tank, which was under a shed, at the time of the incident, had contained around three and a half feet of slurry. The inquest heard how Noel the father had told his eldest son Graham their collie dog had fallen into the tank.

Graham had gone to retrieve the dog, and according to a witness Graham began to climb down the ladder into the slurry tank when he passed out and fell into the tank. Nevin had seen his brother fall and went to the tank to try and help him, at the same time a family friend went to get help.

Nevin was also overcome by the fumes as was his father Noel who went into the tank to try to save his sons, he had been able to grab hold of Graham and dragged him up the ladder only for Noel to pass out and they both fell back into the pit.

Emma daughter and sister to the Spence men, along with neighbours also tried to save the three men, they managed to drag Noel from the tank. Emma then went back into the tank to try and rescue her brothers, but the fumes finally got to her also.

Emma had to be taken to hospital for treatment after inhaling the posionus fumes from the slurry tank, and when asked by Coroner Mr Lecky if she knew about the dangers of surrounding slurry pits Emma replied, ‘When it comes to the love of your family, it doesn’t matter.’

The inquest declared that the incident was a tragic accident. But it is obvious that something needs to be done to ensure there are fewer accidents across the province due to slurry pits. I believe that any farm that any farm that has a slurry pit should by law have gas masks so they have some safety when working with the pits. And I also think that there should be stricter regulations for farms.

What do you think?

Village Renewal Plans Completed

January 29, 2013 by BriegeH

Many people who live in rural area’s find that services and transport can leave a lot to be desired. But that is about to change in South Down and South Armagh as Village Renewal Plans have been completed.

The Village Renewal Plans had be commissioned by the Newry and Mourne District Council with the vision that those who live in rural locations will be able to enjoy the same quality of life as all others throughout the region.

SOAR was in partnership with the Council and this project was part funded under the AXIS 3 of Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 by the European Union and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Now that the plans have been completed it is intended that local community projects will be taken forward. The TADA and South Down RCN who are local sub regional rural development networks and they are keen to assist individuals and groups in bringing projects forward.

13 Village Renewal Action Plans undertaken were as follows:

8 in South Armagh