A weekend of mindless vandalism sees destruction across the wider borough and the latest on the Katie Simpson murder case
In April last year Armagh I reported that following concerns raised over the manner in which police failed to properly investigate the death of 21-year-old Katie Simpson, the Police Ombudsman had launched an investigation, having previously refused to act on a complaint. The Middletown woman passed away in Altnagelvin hospital on August 9, 2020, almost a week after allegedly being found hanging by the man now charged with her murder.
Four women have since been reported to the Public Prosecution Service over an alleged cover-up.
Yesterday Armagh I went along to the site of the new Lismore Comprehensive School in Craigavon to see first hand the appalling destruction which had been caused following a weekend attack which left windows smashed and a crane vandalised. We spoke with the site foreman who told us of the dangers the people involved in this senseless rampage were in
It would appear the theme of the weekend didn't just isolate to Craigavon. Further damage was caused to a graveyard in Banbridge where a headstone dating back to the 1800's was left smashed along with other mindless damage caused. We spoke to Sam Agnew, Clerk of Session of Banbridge Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church for his reaction.
Also a Dungannon councillor has confirmed the cenotaph in Moy has suffered yet another attack whilst acknowledging the latest attack is "very disheartening"
Other stories in the news...
Police investigating after man seen running off from burning car — www.armaghi.com
The car had been badly damaged in an earlier collision prior to being set alight
Man hospitalised with burns after brutal acid attack by gang in Newry — www.armaghi.com
He also suffered a broken arm in the attack
Podcast
Armagh I's voice Elaine Ingram caught up with Therese who comes from a large family of 14 children who began her hairdressing career as a young teenager when she learned her trade in Scissors hairdressers in Newry.
Therese opened her very own salon at the tender age of nineteen and 17 years later, when a client was in need of a wig, Therese went on a mission to find one in London. With the help of an Orthodox Jew she did, and with that the seed was sown to fulfil a want deep in her soul.
Listen to the full podcast here
Win tickets
Can you "Believe" it! Armagh I and the Market Place Theatre are giving two winners the chance to win a pair of tickets each to see Northern Ireland’s only Cher tribute act at Market Place Theatre, Armagh. If you don't enter you can't "Turn back time" to win!
Jobs profiled
This week for our Jobs Profiled we caught up with Finnbar Hamill from leading transport company Morgan McLernon. Finnbar tells us what it's like to work in a fast paced environment and how keeping a "calm and collected head throughout the day" is important.
Linwoods currently seek a dynamic, ambitious and highly motivated Ecommerce Executive to grow sales on their website
As one of the leading Locksmiths and Security Management companies across the UK and Ireland, Portadown Locksmiths prides itself on their growing team of engineers located throughout UK&I and you can now join the company as a locksmith
Jobs at Norbrook, Newry — armaghjobs.com
See all the jobs available at Norbrook where on-going success is based on the expertise, knowledge and innovation of their employees
To conclude
This week is a "short week" with the Queens Jubilee but as always the work never stops! As mentioned in a previous email we have a new induction to the Armagh I as Scott Mann has now officially joined us. It's a bit like a marriage, he signed on the dotted line and now he's a lifer! We'd like to officially welcome Scott to the team and we have no doubt you will see great things from this bright young man moving forward. If you have a story you'd like Scott or any of the team to look into drop us a line at news@armaghi.com or call us on 028 37 443 043.
Enjoy your week!