Westland Road assault victim (26) is buried
A plaque and flowers marks the scene of aother murder in Westland Road jus over a year ago. INPT36-221.
THE funeral of 26-year-old Michael Stitt, who died in hospital days after sustaining brain injuries in an assault in a flat in Westland Road, took place on Monday.
The father-of-one, who lived in the Braniel area of Belfast, was buried in Roselawn Cemetery after a service was held in a private residence in the city.
It is understood Mr Stitt, although not from Portadown, spent many of his weekends in the area along with his girlfriend who is originally from the town.
He was at a flat in Westland Road when the assault took place on August 31. The young man died five days later in the Royal Victoria Hospital on September 5.
A 22-year-old man who was subsequently arrested in connection to Mr Stitt’s death was later released pending inquiries.
Mr Stitt’s death comes a year after Marc Williamson (21) was stabbed to death in Hartfield Avenue - just yards from where the attack on the Belfast man took place.
The latest incident has prompted the Craigavon Policing & Community Safety Partnership to continue pursuing a number of initiatives to tackle anti-social behaviour.
Councillor Robert Smith, who is a member of the PCSP, told the Portadown Times that a number of ideas were currently under consideration, including the introduction of neighbourhood wardens.
Mr Smith explained, “It’s an idea not just for Corcrain but other areas of Portadown as well. I have to stress that the vast majority of people living in Corcrain are good neighbours. Unfortunately over the last year and a half the area has attracted negative media attention which is down to the actions of a number of individuals.
“Neighbourhood wardens would patrol the area and would be the first port of call for anyone who is being subjected to noisy neighbours or anti-social bother. Wardens have operated in Belfast and Banbridge and we’re taking a hard look at getting this set up.”
The PCSP, in conjunction with the PSNI, will be distributing leaflets in coming weeks to households, advising residents who to contact if they are being subjected to anti-social behaviour.
Mr Smith added, “We’re also looking at on-the-spot penalties and allowing wardens the authority to seize sound systems if individuals are playing music too loud and moving away from the bureaucracy of the whole thing. Rather than telling people to make a record of every anti-social incident, before something can be done, both policies would remove red tape.”
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Weather for Portadown
Friday 24 May 2013
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 3 C to 14 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
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Light rain
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