Election diary: Man charged following Alliance poster damage

A man is to appear in court next week on charges related to damage of Alliance posters in Carrickfergus.
By The Newsroom
Published 18th Apr 2016, 11:40 BST
Updated 18th Apr 2016, 14:05 BST
One of the posters which Stewart Dickson says were torn downOne of the posters which Stewart Dickson says were torn down
One of the posters which Stewart Dickson says were torn down

Alliance candidate Stewart Dickson said that he had alerted the police to his posters being tampered with after a “gang of up to 10 with ladders” were removing his posters in Carrickfergus on Thursday night.

Mr Dickson, whose Carrickfergus office was burnt out during the flags protest in 2012, said that he had also been contacted that night by residents in Greenisland who warned him that his posters were being removed in the village.

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He said that the alleged criminal action was taking place on Station Road.

PSNI Inspector Nick Study said: “Police responding to a report of damage being caused to posters in the Ellis Street area of Carrickfergus on Thursday night arrested and charged a 34-year-old man with attempted criminal damage of a police car and assault on police.

“He is due to appear at Belfast Magistrates Court on Thursday, 28 April. As is normal procedure all charges will be reviewed by the PPS.”

On Thursday night Mr Dickson tweeted: “Some people need to understand removing my posters puts my vote up if local reaction tonight is anything to go by.”

Upcoming Hustings

l East Antrim: First Larne Presbyterian, April 18, 7.30pm.

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l South Belfast: City Church (University Avenue), April 19, 7.30pm. (Evangelical Alliance/CARE).

l GP and Primary Care Hustings: Clayton Hotel (Ormeau Avenue, Belfast). April 21, 7pm. Aimed at current and prospective medical professionals. (The Royal College of GPs).

l North Down: First Holywood Presbyterian Church, April 21, 7.30pm. (EA/CARE).

lEast Antrim: Town Hall, Larne, April 21, 7.30pm (trade union Unite, focused on employment).

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l Environmental Hustings: Lough Neagh Discovery Centre, Oxford Island, April 22, 10am. (NI Environment Link).

l Lagan Valley: Vineyard Church (Altona Business Park), April 26, 7.30pm. (EA/CARE).

lNorth Antrim: The Braid, April 27, Ballymena, 7.30pm (Unite, focused on employment).

lSouth Belfast: Agape Centre (238 Lisburn Road), April 27, 7.30pm. (Organised by ‘Challenges’, chaired by William Crawley).

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l Foyle: Venue to be confirmed, April 28, 7.30pm. (EA/CARE).

lNorth Down: Kings Church Bangor (Seacliff Road), April 28, 7pm.

Bishop meets DUP

Amid increasing focus on the issue of education as the Assembly campaign gathers pace, the Roman Catholic bishop of Derry has strongly defended the continuation of the Catholic school sector.

Donal McKeown made the comment after a meeting with the DUP, which last week hinted that it might take the education ministry.

The bishop previously met a senior Sinn Fein delegation to discuss education.

Related topics:CarrickfergusDUPPoliceUnite