Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Greenhouse gas on rise in Ulster again
NORTHERN Ireland has failed on its greenhouse gas promises for the second year running.
Emissions have dropped 15.9% since records began in 1990, but have risen 2.8% since Programme for Government reporting started in 2014.
Friends of the Earth campaigner Declan Allison said: “For the second year in a row, Northern Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions have risen at a time when we should be making dramatic cuts.
“The biggest culprits are agriculture, transport, and energy.”
A report by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs also revealed that nearly a 10th of the UK’S methane gas output originates here. THE Prince of Wales yesterday laid a floral tribute at the site of the Omagh bombing.
He and the Duchess of Cornwall visited a memorial garden dedicated to the 29 people and two unborn babies killed in the Real IRA blast in August 1998.
There were emotional scenes as they met paramedics, firefighters and police officers who had to deal with the carnage.
Charles and Camilla walked up the main street of the Co Tyrone town past the site of the explosion.
The shopping street was lined with well-wishers who cheered the royal couple and waved flags.
Paramedic John Taylor from Dungannon was one of the first to respond in 1998.
He said: “You walk up the street and you can still see the scene. Even when I drive through Omagh here I can still see the scene.
“We should talk more about it, it takes the pressure off.”
Charles also met hospital nurses who treated dozens of victims.
He toured Omagh Hospital and Primary Care Complex, which opened a year ago.
Two decades ago he visited the old hospital, which was at the centre of the emergency response following the blast.
He also met relatives of those who died in the car bombing. Joann Mccullagh was a staff nurse in the intensive care ward on the day of the attack.
She told Charles about her role, adding: “We worked tirelessly throughout the day and night, dealing with the very traumatically injured patients.”
Sinn Fein MP Orfhlaith Begley and DUP chief Arlene Foster were among those there to welcome the royal on his four-day trip to Northern Ireland and the Republic.
Charles unveiled a plaque marking the official hospital opening and also put his DIY skills to the test at Owenkillew Community centre in Gortin.