Categories
Uncategorized

HARGEY ANNOUNCES £500 RECOGNITION PAYMENT FOR THOUSANDS OF WORKERS

Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has announced that as many as 4,500 workers who assisted some of the most vulnerable people in society throughout the pandemic are to receive a special recognition payment of up to £500.  Minister Hargey confirmed that workers employed through the Supporting People (SP) Programme and the Homeless sector are to receive […]

Categories
Uncategorized

HARGEY WELCOMES FIRST STEPS TO LIVE MUSIC RETURNING

Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has welcomed today’s (1 July) decision to relax restrictions on live music. With effect from 5 July, live music will be able to return to licensed and unlicensed premises that sell food or alcohol. Music will also be permitted at outdoor events with no restrictions on volume. Following a visit to […]

Categories
Uncategorized

GREEN CARDS NO LONGER REQUIRED FOR DRIVERS

Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon has welcomed the news from the European Commission that insurance green cards are no longer needed for Northern Ireland drivers travelling to the South and the rest of the European Union. Minister Mallon said: “I am delighted that as part of a package of measures announced by the European Commission related to […]

Categories
Uncategorized

JCVI ADVICE ON COVID-19 BOOSTERS WELCOMED

Health Minister Robin Swann has welcomed the advice on Covid booster vaccinations from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). The interim advice from JCVI is to plan to offer booster vaccines from September 2021 to maintain protection given by first and second doses. The Minister said: “Today’s announcement by JCVI is welcome news which […]

Categories
Uncategorized

Cllr Denise Mullen: CAPITA Control Detrimental to Victims & Survivors of Troubles

Aontú Deputy Leader & Cllr for Mid Ulster, Denise Mullen, has said CAPITA’s control over the Personal Independent Payment (PIP) scheme and their contract now for the Victims & Survivors Pensions is detrimental to the well-being and health of victims and survivors of the Troubles. Cllr Mullen: “This is one of the areas of all […]

Categories
Uncategorized

Tobacco Factory Dismantled in County Armagh

An estimated 11 tonnes of loose tobacco, 1.6 million suspected counterfeit branded Excellence cigarettes, and the materials and equipment to produce many millions more have been seized by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) in County Armagh. HMRC investigators including Mobile Enforcement Teams and specialists in seizing criminal assets, accompanied by the Police Service of Northern […]

Categories
Uncategorized

Liz Kimmins MLA Urges Everyone in Newry & Armagh to Register to Vote

Sinn Féin MLA for Newry & Armagh Liz Kimmins has urged people to go online to register to vote as the fresh electoral register opens from 1st July.  Kimmins said:  “From 1st July, everyone in the north will be removed from the electoral register by the Electoral Office.  “The new register is now open, and […]

Categories
Uncategorized

HEALTH MINISTER OPENS £10MILLION MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT FUND

Health Minister Robin Swann has formally opened a £10million fund designed to assist charitable organisations offering support services to people with mental ill health. The Mental Health Support Fund was announced in April this year and will administer grants ranging from £5,000 to £500,000 within three award categories: •  £5,000 to £30,000 •  £30,000 to […]

Categories
Uncategorized

Executive Will Not Follow England in Returning to Normal

The Northern Ireland Executive is to meet today (8th July) to discuss the further easing of Covid-19 restrictions. However it looks like Stormont will not follow Westminster in cancelling all Covid-19 restrictions and returning to Normal on the 19th July. It seems the NI Executive will be a little more cautious and continue some sort […]

Categories
Uncategorized

Man Charged After Discovery of Cannabis Factory

Police have charged a 33 year old man with a number of offences including cultivating cannabis, possession of a class B drug and possession of a class B drug with intent to supply following the discovery of a cannabis factory at a property in the Tullysaran Road area of Armagh on Tuesday 6th July. He is […]

Categories
Uncategorized

Lord Criticises Team For Not Singing National Anthem That Has No Lyrics

A tweet posted by Lord John Kilclooney was making the rounds on social media last night following Italy’s clash with Spain in the Euro2020 semi-final. The former MEP, a Crossbench life peer from Northern Ireland who has sat in the House of Lords since 2001, posted that it was “amazing that every member of the […]

Categories
Albert Basin Park Campaigns Uncategorized

Savage Welcomes Albert Basin Park Presentation

Commenting on the design consultants’ presentation on the Albert Basin Park, Newry SDLP Councillor Michael Savage said: “I congratulate the design consultants for what is an excellent concept design that has the potential to deliver a fabulous park that reflects the wishes of the people of our district as outlined in the consultation responses. I believe […]