Derry Now

Sinn Féin Councillor Eric McGinley has called for a greater policing response to crime in Ballymagroarty following a spate of break-ins on Sunday morning.

"There is a concern that not enough is being done to combat the criminality taking place on a regular basis, particularly from repeat offenders," Cllr McGinley said.

"Whilst elected representatives such as myself - along with community activists and youth workers - can contribute to removing crime from the community the primary responsibility lies with the PSNI and the justice system to respond effectively to this problem.

"Measures such as the installation of improved street lighting which is taking place and home security measures available through the Policing and Community Safety Partnership can help deter and prevent crime but more is required from the PSNI.

He added; "I will be meeting with the PSNI this week to raise my concerns and I will be highlighting the need for more policing resources for the Ballymagroarty area, not just in response to the type of criminality we witnessed at the weekend but also in relation to low level anti-community behaviour which has been taking place in the top part of the estate."

If you have a story or want to send a photo or video to us please contact the Derry Now editorial team on 028 7129 6600 for Derry City stories Or 028 7774 3970 for County Derry stories. Or you can email editor@derrynews.net or editor@derrypost.com at any time.

Police have arrested two males following a report of an attempted burglary.

At around 10:30am on Sunday morning in the Ballymagroarty area of the city, two males were disturbed by a woman in her 60s, as they attempted to break into her home.

The males made off on foot and were detained a short distance away by police.

Both men remain in custody and detectives from CID and the Reducing Offending Unit are investigating a possible link between this incident and other similar reports in the area.

"Police would like to thank the members of the public who called this in," a police spokesperson said.

If you think you saw anything or know anything that could help our investigation, please call us on 101 quoting reference number 543 of 14/10/18 or, if you would prefer to provide information without giving their details you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers and speak to them anonymously on 0800 555 111

An application to vary bail at Derry Magistrate's Court today to allow a man to reside in the city again heard there was 'an imminent and immediate threat against him'.

Dean Beattie (25) of Glenowen Park in Derry is currently in custody after a judge refused him bail to the city due to a threat against him.

At today's sitting an application was made to allow him to return to an address in the city.

A police officer opposed the application and told the court that Beattie's mother had withdrawn her address and police believed she was the only person who could exert a positive influence on him.

The officer also said there was a threat against Beattie which he described 'as very live and very specific.'

The court heard that police believed it would be 'very foolish to allow him to go back to the city.'

Defence solicitor Seamus Quigley said his client was 'well aware of this threat' and he said after police informed someone of a threat it was up to the individual what they did.

He said Beattie was 'willing to take his chances' and added there were channels where someone could explore 'the veracity of these threats.'

The solicitor said the alternative was to allow paramilitaries to decide who was kept in custody and who wasn't by issuing threats.

District Judge Barney McElholm said that it could be argued that it was Beattie's business if he decided to reside here.

He wondered would he be taking 'an enormous risk' coming back to the city.

The judge also said if anyone was offering their address to Beattie they had to make clear their attitude to the court.

He refused bail and said the application could go to the High Court.

The case was adjourned until October 25.

A man who police said had played a leading role in the July disturbances by 'making, throwing and moving petrol bombs' and who is believed to have been behind the throwing of two explosive devices at police has been refused bail.

John Paul Moore (23) of Carleton Court in Derry appeared at the local Magistrate's Court to apply for bail.

A police officer told the court Moore was caught on CCTV involved in the disturbances in Fahan Street and was dressed in a 'distinctive fashion'.

The officer said at one stage Moore make a mask out of the sleeve of a jacket.

The court heard Moore was hit with a plastic bullet and removed the mask.

She said that during the rioting two improvised explosive devices made out of a aerosol can with a banger attached were thrown at police by Moore.

The officer said these devices explode fragments would fly out and at the time there were bystanders and press present.

She opposed bail on the grounds that Moore, who has 26 previous convictions, would re-offend.

Moore was remanded in custody until November 8.

Some of the cream of local music talent and a roof top bar with a DJ playing classic horror film soundtracks awaits revellers who dare to take ‘The Dark Tower’ ghost tour through the Tower Museum this Halloween.

The adult only event on Friday October 26th is part of Derry City and Strabane District Council’s Halloween 2018 programme and is inviting guests to climb the tower to take in the Ghost Story of Derry exhibition.

Those brave enough to reach the top will be rewarded with stunning views of the cityscape and live music from BAIRIE, Aul Boy, Waldorf and Cannon and Derry native Ryan Vail who has been nominated for Best Album and Best Live Act in this year’s NI Music Prize.

Roisin Doherty, Curator at the Tower Museum, encouraged people to take advantage of the evening’s unique offering.

“We are delighted to be hosting The Dark Tower, a night of music, drink and scares at the museum,” she said.

“This adults only event will give the public a chance to explore the tower building and experience our unique concert setting.

“We’ve had great success running ghost tours for kids in the past but our staff have always had to hold back a bit and make sure the content is child-friendly and not too scary.

“This time they are really looking forward to turning the fear factor up a notch for an adults-only tour.”

Ronan McConnell, Education Officer at Tower Museum, added: “All the performances are designed to work within the Tower space and link back to Derry’s dark histories.

“One thing we’re really excited about is seeing Ryan perform his atmospheric electronica surrounded by deep sea artefacts from our Armada Exhibit.”

‘The Dark Tower’ will take place on Friday 26th October in The Tower Museum, from 8pm to 11pm. Booking is essential for this strictly over-18s event, tickets priced at £10 are available online at www.derryhalloween.com/tickets.

The event is part of ‘The Late Shift’ – a series of after-dark, adults-only happenings in museums across Northern Ireland this autumn.

The project is funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, Tourism NI, and the Department for Communities as part of European Year of Cultural Heritage.

The 2018 Halloween programme will run from 26th October – 3rd November 2018 with over 100 family friendly activities at more than 40 venues, stretching over nine jam-packed days.

Among the regular highlights which draw thousands to the city each year, is Awakening the Walls, for three evenings before Halloween the city parties with the supernatural to banish the dark on an animated and illuminated trail throughout the historic City Walls.

This year we welcome a new addition to the Programme Le Bal des Luminéoles, imaginary illuminated birds with graceful wings that dance in the wind and spread colour across the night sky.

There will be a Haunted Harvest Market, Museum of the Moon, Tours and Trails, Little Horrors Family Story-telling, the Monster Funfair and much more happenings in the build up to the big night itself on October 31st, when the traditional Carnival parade which will bring hundreds of performers together to celebrate this year’s Return of the Ancients theme.

The night will finish in a spectacular Halloween fireworks finale over the River Foyle.

The programme is organised and funded by Derry City and Strabane District Council with support from the Tourism N. Ireland International Fund.

The full programme for this year’s Halloween Festival is available online at www.derryhalloween.com.

‘Stardust families’ seeking the truth about the 1981 nightclub fire that claimed 48 lives bring their campaign to Derry for the first time tomorrow.

Hosted by the Bloody Sunday Trust, the campaigners will speak at the Museum of Free Derry at 7.30pm on Tuesday 16 October with a screening of the recent RTE documentary ‘After the Headlines’.

Accompanying the group will be Lynn Boylan MEP and RTE Journalist Charlie Bird, who covered the original story in 1981.

A spokesperson for the families said: “The Stardust Victims Committee and families have been invited to Derry in support of our Stardust Truth postcards campaign. We are all so humbled by the recognition which we have been given by the Bloody Sunday Trust. We are truly overwhelmed by their kindness.

Maeve McLaughlin from Bloody Sunday Trust said: “Derry has a long history of campaigning for Truth and Justice. We have experiences and lessons in the City that we are keen to share with others.

The Stardust families have long endured great hardship and grief since the horrific fire in 1981 that claimed 48 lives. It is fitting that these families visit the city on the 50th anniversary of civil rights and I sincerely hope that Derry will offer every support and solidarity going forward.”

The event is part of the Museum of Free Derry’s '50 Days of Revolution, 50 Years on' programme which runs throughout this October and November. www.museumoffreederry.org

Pictured above: Members of the Stardust Justice Campaign, including Lisa Lawlor (second left) and Sinn Fein MEP Lynn Boylan (second right) at a press conference in Dublin earlier this year. Ms Lawlor, who lost both her parents in the Stardust tragedy, has given her support for a new inquest for the first time.

A €250,000 fund boost for cross-border education will benefit the North West Regional College and Ulster University, it has emerged.

Sinn Féin MP Elisha McCallion has welcomed the announcement of funding from the Irish government towards the work of the North West Strategic Partnership in developing education links.

The Foyle MP said:“The funding announcement is welcome news for the north west in terms of developing our further and higher education colleges.

"The funding has been available to the Letterkenny Institute of Technology to allow them to collaborate further with the North West Regional College, Donegal Education Training Board and Ulster University to develop projects which focus on student development and opening up pathways for young people.

“Increased co-operation across education in the north west is key to the success and continued development of a first class education system across the region.

“This initiative demonstrates how this region can prosper when different people work together to deliver on key projects.

“The economic potential of the north west region has not yet been realised, we need to build on the foundations of existing collaborations in health, education and infrastructure.

“Our unique Strategic Growth Plan includes cross-border links and I will continue to work with local stakeholders, the two governments and the Councils to ensure this comes to fruition.”

Derry City and Strabane District Council won three of the nine Local Government awards at the recent annual NILGA Awards ceremony in Armagh, it has been announced.

Paying tribute to the Council on its success, Mayor of Derry Cllr John Boyle said it was evidence of how the Council is leading the way on good practice, leadership and creativity.

Among the awards secured by Derry City and Strabane District Council was the Local Government Award for Excellence in Environmental Sustainability for its Environmental Stewardship programme, the Best Local Authority Elected Member Development Initiative, while the Employee of the Year Award was won by Human Resources Officer Deynah Doherty in recognition of her work in setting up the Council Choir, as part of the BeWell initiative.

The Council was also runners-up in the best local authority tourism initiative for its annual Halloween celebrations.

Congratulating Council on its success at the awards, Mayor Boyle said he was very proud to represent the city and district at the event.

He said: “This is a fantastic achievement by our Council. We are over the moon to have scooped three of the top awards at this hugely prestigious event. I would like to take this opportunity to extend my congratulations to all the staff for their hard work and commitment. Securing these accolades is a huge achievement and evidence of the great work being done by staff across the entire Council in all aspects of its work. On this occasion the work carried out by the Council on improving our local environment, providing leadership in local democracy and putting the health and wellbeing of our staff to the fore, was acknowledged. Well done to everyone involved, your hard work and commitment has paid off,” he said.

Image – Delegation from Derry City and Strabane District Council with Mayor Cllr Boyle pictured with the awards they secured at the NI Local Government Awards in Armagh. (SimonGrahamPhotography)

District Judge Barney McElholm has warned that anyone caught with the drug Xanax will be jailed as it is 'poisoning the city.'

His comments came in the case against Kerri Ogilby (35) of Great James Street in Derry who was charged with possessing Xanax and breaching bail on October 15.

A police officer told Derry Magistrate's Court that at 1.10pm CCTV operators observed a man and a woman in Orchard Street who looked to be involved in drugs.

Police searched Ogilby and found a small plastic bag with four broken tablets which they believed to be Xanax.

At interview Ogilby admitted it was Xanax and she was in breach of her bail conditions which prohibited her for having non prescription drugs.

The officer said the defendant was 'on something like nine suspended sentences' and added that she continued to take tablets.

He said most of her offending was when she was intoxicated with something and added if re-released she would commit further offences.

Defence solicitor Keith Kyle said Ogilby had 'issues' but added that in this case she had forgotten about the tablets and intended to dispose of them.

The solicitor said that Ogilby was 'fearful' she would lose her accommodation.

Judge McElholm asked then why she won't stop breaching bail.

He said she had been given 'chance after chance'.

He said Xanax was becoming 'a major problem for this city and it has had tragic consequences' and warned people would be jailed.

He sentenced Ogilby to two months.

District Judge Barney McElholm has warned that anyone caught with the drug Xanax will be jailed as it is 'poisoning the city.'

His comments came in the case against Kerri Ogilby (35) of Great James Street in Derry who was charged with possessing Xanax and breaching bail on October 15.

A police officer told Derry Magistrate's Court that at 1.10pm CCTV operators observed a man and a woman in Orchard Street who looked to be involved in drugs.

Police searched Ogilby and found a small plastic bag with four broken tablets which they believed to be Xanax.

At interview Ogilby admitted it was Xanax and she was in breach of her bail conditions which prohibited her for having non prescription drugs.

The officer said the defendant was 'on something like 9 suspended sentences' and added that she continued to take tablets.

He said most of her offending was when she was intoxicated with something and added if re-released she would commit further offences.

Defence solicitor Keith Kyle said Ogilby had 'issues' but added that in this case she had forgotten about the tablets and intended to dispose of them.

The solicitor said that Ogilby was 'fearful' she would lose her accommodation.

Judge McElholm asked then why doesn't she stop breaching bail.

He said she had been given 'chance after chance'.

He said Xanax was becoming 'a major problem for this city and it has had tragic consequences' and warned people would be jailed.

He sentenced Ogilby to two months.

Members of the public considering a career in the construction industry are being encouraged to attend a specially arranged jobs event at the Guildhall next Thursday, October 25th.

A number of local construction companies who are delivering on major contracts in the North West and Derry City and Strabane District Council area will be in attendance and seeking to recruit for a wide variety of positions.

Vacancies available on the day will include site office cleaners, electricians, labourers, plant operators, general operatives, grounds workers, work sampling and placements, accounts clerks, administrators, receptionists, yard persons, joiners and apprenticeships.

Skills Manager at Derry City and Strabane District Council, Tina Gillespie, encouraged anyone looking for work to attend the event where people can drop in at any time between 11am and 1pm.

“If you are unemployed or just out of education and looking for work this is an ideal opportunity to meet with prospective employers from the construction industry and learn more about the current vacancies they have available,” she said.

“The construction industry is experiencing a period of growth and the companies in attendance are delivering on a variety of major contracts near or within the Derry City and Strabane District Council area.

“If you choose a career in construction you won’t be starting out on your own, you’ll be joining a team of specialist people all working together to build a strong, long-lasting future.

“The projects they are recruiting for include the Translink Hub, Strathroy Link Road, Castledawson Roundabout, The Ebrington upgrades, new schools and the Dungiven to Drumahoe Duelling Roads System.”

Among the companies in attendance at the event are Farrans, Fox Contractors, FP McCann, Lowry Building and Civil Engineering, SWS and Woodvale Construction.

To be elligible for the jobs, you must have left training or education in the last 12 months or be unemployed, candidates aged 18-24 must be 6 months unemployed while candidates aged over 25 must be 12 months unemployed.

Candidates are recommended to bring a CV on the day, if you need any help in creating a cv or for any further information about the event contact Eileen McGrinder at DCSDC on 02871308466.

A police officer told Derry Magistrate's Court that it was 'strange' that a local man had 15 convictions for urinating in public.

Paul Farren (28) of Drummard Close in Derry appeared charged with indecent behaviour and breaching his bail on October 15.

The Court was told police observed Farren in the Strand Road area and he was urinating.

He was unsteady on his feet and officers feared he would fall over.

It was discovered his bail conditions were that he was not to intoxicated in a public place.

A breath test revealed he was almost three times the legal limit.

Defence solicitor Keith Kyle said his client was 'a chronic alcoholic' and said there were 'no easy answers' to his problems.

The police officer said that Farren who has 107 previous convictions had 15 for indecent behaviour.

District Judge Barney McElholm said Farren just urinates in public 'it does not matter who is there, it could be young children or young girls standing near him.'

He said Farren has received prison for this behaviour in the past 'and nothing seems to stop him doing it.'

The judge added: "For a city that is establishing itself as a tourist destination this sort of behaviour is deplorable."

He released Farren on bail to appear again on November 9.

Police are appealing for witnesses following damage being caused to a car parked in Altnagelvin Hospital car park sometime between 6pm and 8pm on Thursday 11th October.

The silver coloured Skoda Fabia was parked near to A&E when the damage was caused to the driver side of the vehicle.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident and for anyone that may have dashcam footage of the incident to check their footage.

A police spokesperson said: "If you have any information which may assist with the investigation please contact Police in Strand Road on 101 and quote reference number 909 12/10/18.

"Alternatively, information can also be provided to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 which is anonymous and gives people the power to speak up and stop crime in our community."

Derry and Strabane Council are calling on community leaders throughout the city and district to sign up to their ‘Challenging Prejudice Leadership Development Programme’ – which includes a study visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau and aims to educate people about the events of the Holocaust and consider the lessons for today.

The Challenging Prejudice Leadership Development Programme is now in its second year and is part of Council’s proactive approach to improving good relations.

The programme will provide opportunities for community representatives, Council staff and the wider community to promote the city, towns and villages as safe and welcoming places for all people. It aims to develop positive relationships between people of different community backgrounds, and to enhance skills to help participants contribute to improving the attitudes of people within their local areas.

Through a series of interactive workshops, community leaders will explore the Holocaust, how it happened, why it happened and how the lessons learned from it can be used to address key issues in today’s society – including sectarianism, racism and the refugee crisis.

It is hoped that the programme will equip community leaders with the tools to challenge prejudice, bigotry and intolerance in their own communities and in doing so become champions of Local Community Planning. This programme will also provide an excellent opportunity to critically evaluate one of the most horrific events of the 20th century and to keep the memory of the Holocaust alive.

The programme incorporates two elements: training sessions and a study visit which will take a total of 9 days.

Training Days: Tuesday 6th November

Tuesday 20th November

Tuesday 27th November

Wednesday 9th January 2019

Study Trip: Thursday 10th January – Sunday 13th January 2019 (inclusive)

Final Day: Date to be agreed with participating group

Participants are required to take part in the entire Challenging Prejudice Leadership Development Programme and have a valid passport for travel in order to be considered.

There are currently 20 places available. If you would like to express an interest in participating on the programme, contact Good Relations Officer Carol Stewart on 02871 253253 Ext 4297 or carol.stewart@derrystrabane.com

For further information visit http://www.derrystrabane.com/challengingpredjudice

Closing date for receipt of applications is 5pm on Wednesday 31st October 2018.

A self-confessed cocaine runner caught transporting and keeping £150,000 of cocaine for a drugs gang to which he owed £5,000, has been jailed for three years and four months at Derry Crown Court.

John Clifford Moorehead, 42, who is originally from Antrim, had been on remand in Maghaberry Prison since he was caught with the drugs near Eglinton on November 9 of last year.

Moorehead pleaded guilty to possessing with intent to supply 2.25 kilos of cocaine which had a purity level of up to fourteen percent.

A barrister for the Public Prosecution Service told Judge Philip Babington that members of the PSNI's Criminal Investigation Branch, in an intelligence lead operation, stopped a grey Volvo car being driven by Moorehead along the Clooney Road last November 9.

An initial search of Moorehead and of his car proved negative in terms of drugs, but the defendant was arrested on suspicion of committing drugs offences.

During his detention in Strand Road Police Station officers searched his then home address at Birch Hill Meadows in Antrim. There they found six blocks of cocaine hidden in socks inside a laundry basket in the front bedroom.

Inside the bedroom the police also found weighing scales and under the staircase they found a smaller quantity of cocaine.

The police then carried out a more intensive search of Moorehead's car and concealed in the front headrests they found another twelve blocks of cocaine, six blocks in each headrest.

All of the cocaine was already cut and was ready to bag and sell.

Moorehead told the police that he had been pressurised by a drugs gang, the members of which he refused to name, to transport and store the drugs to pay off his debt to them.

"The police believe he was used as a runner for more intimately involved people", the prosecutor said
Defence barrister Eoghan Devlin said Moorehead was "low in the pecking order" in relation to his drugs involvement. He said that Moorehead, a qualified mechanic, sought solace in alcohol and drugs following personal issues in his life in 2012.

As a result of his cocaine addiction he accrued a £5,000 debt to drugs dealers who then used his debt as leverage to get him to transport and store drugs for them.

Mr. Devlin said Moorehead made no financial gains from his involvement with the drugs gang.

"He could never have re-paid his debt to them and that suited them because they could then prey on somebody like the defendant to carry drugs for them at no personal risk to themselves", Mr. Devlin said.

Judge Babington said the police accepted that Moorehead had been pressurised and had been under duress to transport the drugs.

"He had been pressurised by drugs dealers to transport the drugs to Derry. His instructions were to leave his car parked in a car park outside shops where presumably the car was then to be collected.

"He became the sort of person that those who control the supply of drugs can lean on. He was used as a runner to both store and transport the drugs by those more intimately involved.

"No matter how one looks at this, this is very serious offending and the people who act like this must get a deterrent sentence to deter others from doing it in the future", Judge Babington said.

Older people in Derry are to share in £144,000 arts funding with other projects in Belfast to tackle loneliness.

The Arts Council of Northern Ireland has announced National Lottery funding and public funding from the Public Health Agency and Baring Foundation of over £144,000, for 19 organisations across the region, to deliver community-based arts projects benefitting older people.

The funding is part of the Arts Council's Arts and Older People’s Programme, a pioneering initiative which aims to promote positive mental health and well-being among older people through engagement with the arts whilst tackling issues of loneliness and isolation.

The Arts and Older People’s Programme was established by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland in 2010 and is now a cross-governmental partnership with funding from the Public Health Agency and The Baring Foundation.

To date the programme has provided £1.8m funding to community organisations and voluntary groups across Northern Ireland in the delivery of 156 arts projects to older people. The programme has been designed to challenge perceptions of what it means to be an older person.

Lorraine Calderwood, Community Development Officer at the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, explained how the Arts and Older People’s Programme is making a difference to the lives of older people across the region:

"Research has proven that engagement with the arts can raise self-esteem, confidence and motivation, as well as aid in relieving stress, worries and also pain. The Arts and Older People’s Programme is committed to providing meaningful opportunities for our older people to take part in arts activities, enriching their lives for the better. The arts have a vital role to play in helping older people find their voice and express the issues which can often affect them on a day-to-day basis, thus promoting positive physical and mental health. The Arts Council is delighted to have supported 156 projects since the programme began.”

The award-winning Echo Echo Dance Theatre Company in Derry has received funding for the second year for their ‘Poetic Movement’ project for older people. The project will be delivered with partners Strabane Community Project and Praxis Care to some of the most disadvantaged older people in the Derry and Strabane council area.

The 12-week project will work with participants who face issues of isolation, loneliness and depression due to reasons including rural living or the effects of mental illness, learning disabilities, dementia or acquired brain injury. At the heart of the project is Echo Echo’s firm belief that everyone is a creative being and can engage in a rich and deep movement practice regardless of age, ability or experience. Participants in the project will work with Echo Echo’s highly skilled artist-teachers and local musicians.

In County Derry, Live Music Now, based in Limavady, has received funding to deliver a programme of fortnightly participatory music sessions for men and women, over 65, attending Ballyowen Day Centre in Andersonstown and Edgecumbe Therapy and Assessment Unit in East Belfast. Musicians will facilitate participants' creative responses in the form of spoken word, singing, poetry and reminiscence. This material will be arranged musically and recordings produced by the musicians. The resultant recordings will be 'premiered' to the participants and made available digitally.

Additionally in Limavady, professional musicians will deliver a programme of six monthly community concerts at the unique community venue, the Keady Clachan, a traditional stone cottage on the Keady Mountain overlooking Limavady. Older people, experiencing rural isolation, loneliness and deprivation will come together on a monthly basis to experience a range of musical genres.

Visit www.artscouncil-ni.org for details on all funding opportunities

Pictured above: The Arts Council of Northern Ireland has announced National Lottery funding and public funding from the Public Health Agency of over £144,000 for 19 organisations, across the region, to deliver community-based arts projects benefitting older people.

A man has been taken from a house fire in the Great James Street area of Derry.

The blaze broke out at an address in the street earlier this afternoon, after which crews from the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) were tasked to the scene and a section of the road was closed.

Fire crews then took one man from a property.

There are no further details at present.

A 46-year-old man today pleaded guilty at Derry Crown Court to eighteen charges of sexually abusing two primary schoolgirls over thirty years ago, starting when he was aged twelve.

Oisin McLaughlin, whose address was given as Ardcairn in Dungiven, pleaded guilty to the eighteen charges he had originally denied.

At his re-arraignment before Judge Philip Babington the defendant admitted seventeen charges of indecently assaulting the two children between December 1984 and March 1988.

He also pleaded guilty to a single charge of attempting to indecently assault one of the girls between the same dates.

The defendant, who until recently has lived in Perth, Australia, was released on continuing bail until his plea and sentencing hearing takes place on November 20 and Judge Babington ordered a pre-sentence report for that date.

Judge Babington said if either of the injured parties wished to compile a victim impact statement, that was a matter entirely in their hands.

A Derry project aimed at helping young people with disabilities to form friendships and explore social opportunities is currently the star of UK wide advertising campaign for a high profile charity.

The ‘Bud Club’ at the Play Trail features in the BBC Children in Need advert which has been played in cinemas and in prime time TV slots.

The 20 second clip took 14 hours to shoot and features Bud Club members enjoying themselves and developing their social and communication skills.

Gavin Melly, Inclusion Officer at the Play Trail, said the club was established five years ago to help young people with disabilities to enjoy a social life.

The club, which is based in Northside Shopping Centre, meets twice a week and focuses on the personal development of its members.

“Young people with disabilities are at a greater risk of social exclusion, marginalisation and isolation because they feel they are not being listened to, have no friends, no social life, find it difficult to do things other young people their own age participate in such as, shopping, going to the bowling alley, cinema and attending local youth clubs,” explained Mr Melly.

The 78 members all have different needs but they all share the same desire to socialise like other young people.

“Bud Club members needs range from wheelchair users, to young people with autism, young people with a learning and physical disabilities, young people with no verbal communication, young people with visual impairments and young people with complex medical needs,” said Mr Melly.

“These young people with disabilities are made feel they have no contribution to make, and may feel unsafe, bullied, harassed and excluded and have limited choice of services and are not being involved in decision making relating to their own needs.”

The Bud Club is user led and plans its activities I response to the needs of its members.

“Whatever they come up with we will do,” said Mr Melly.

“We want to provide these young people with the same opportunities as any other young person.

“When the club started we asked the young people about their lives they said we go to school on a yellow bus and come home on a yellow bus and that is it.”

“In some cases their parents’ fears become a barrier to leaving them with someone else.

Having little or no social interaction with young people without disabilities within a youth work setting also isolates a lot of young people with disabilities from mainstream services.

So the Bud Club works to alleviate this helping its members get the support they need to attend mainstream youth groups.

“It’s all about choice and fostering positive experiences,” added Mr Melly.

PSNI is supporting the ‘Ending the Harm’ campaign launched today which aims to raise awareness of the devastating impact that paramilitary style attacks have on the wider community.

Telling the story of a paramilitary style shooting from the view point of a victim, his mother, the paramilitary gang member and a witness, the hard hitting campaign, which is part of the Tackling Paramilitarism Programme, encompasses TV, radio and outdoor adverts which will start to go live from 9pm tonight.

Speaking about the Ending the Harm campaign, the PSNI’s lead for Paramilitary Style Attacks, Detective Chief Superintendent Raymond Murray said: “This campaign highlights the devastating impact that paramilitary style attacks have, not just on victims, but their families, local community and wider society. The people who carry out these attacks are reckless, giving little thought about the trauma they are causing to people living in the area witnessing these barbaric acts of violence.

“Paramilitaries don’t carry out these attacks to protect communities. Instead, they do it to exert fear and control communities for their own selfish gains. These hypocrites acting as judge, jury and, in some instances, executioner do not represent the interests of any community.

“Contrary to the perpetrators’ rhetoric, not all of their victims have been involved in criminality. When criminality occurs within communities, the Police Service of Northern Ireland is the only legitimate provider of law and order.

"The causes of crime are complex and often linked to an individual’s mental health and substance abuse. Beating or shooting people simply makes these issues worse. Evidence suggests that where people have offended, three quarters of people subjected to a paramilitary style attack will go on to re-offend within a year.

"In contrast, the re-offending rates of people who are dealt with through the criminal justice system are much lower - at less than 1/3 - clearly demonstrating there is a better more effective alternative. In simple terms, reporting crime to police is more likely to stop it. In many instances paramilitaries know this themselves but they don’t actually want the crime to stop, they simply want to control it or take their cut.

“There are obvious difficulties in getting victims and witnesses of paramilitary style attacks to come forward due to fear but PSNI are far from powerless when it comes to dealing with these people who are exploiting their own communities. We are targeting the groups and individuals we suspect are responsible for the attacks and tackling their wider criminality, be that drug dealing, money laundering, human trafficking or any other illegal activity.

“My message is simple. Policing works for communities, particularly for those communities that engage and work with us. Ultimately we all have a role to play in creating a safer society and ending the harm caused by paramilitary style attacks.”

Visit www.endingtheharm.com for more information, real-life stories and details of where to go for help and support.

Concerns not enough being done to combat 'repeat offenders' after homes burgled in the Ballymagroarty area of Derry yesterday morning

Two men arrested in Derry after being caught by police following attempted break-in at pensioner's home

Court hears Derry man is 'willing to take his chances' and return home despite police warning that there is now an 'imminent and immediate threat' against him

Derry man who court hears was struck by plastic bullet during rioting in the Bogside area is refused bail on charges of throwing petrol bombs at police

The Dark Tower to offer revellers in Derry music, drink and scares this Halloween

‘Justice for the 48’ campaign comes to Museum of Free Derry

Irish government's €250,000 cross border education fund to benefit NWRC and Magee

Derry's Council scoops three top accolades at glittering NILGA awards

Judge in Derry warns anyone caught with the drug Xanex will be jailed as it's 'poisoning the city'

Derry judge warns that the drug Xanax is 'poisoning' the city as he jails woman for two months

Wide variety of construction industry positions available at Guildhall jobs event

Derry man with 15 previous convictions for urinating in the street is told by judge that his actions are 'deplorable'

Police in Derry renew appeal for witnesses and dashcam footage after vehicle damaged in Altnagelvin Hospital car park

Council calls on local community leaders to join ‘Challenging Prejudice’ programme and visit concentration camp Auschwitz-Birkenau

'Cocaine runner' caught in Derry with £150,000 of coke for drugs gang jailed for over three years

Older people's projects tackling loneliness in Derry to benefit from share of £144,000 of arts funding

BREAKING: Man taken from house fire in Great James Street area of Derry

46-year-old man pleads guilty at Derry Crown Court to eighteen charges of sexually abusing two primary school girls over thirty years ago

Derry’s ‘Bud Club’ are the stars of prime time TV advertising campaign

PSNI supports 'Ending the Harm' a campaign that aims to raise awareness of the impact caused by paramilitary style attacks