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Attack on Camlough Road ‘Uniting Ireland’ Sign Viewed As A Sinister Act

Sinn Féin Councillor Declan Murphy has appealed for calm after a Sign encouraging support for a United Ireland was vandalised in what many locals viewed as a sinister action. The Councillor said, “A sign situated at Highstreet corner on the Camlough Road  has been vandalised in what many see as a sinister sectarian attack.  Sinn […]

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WORKFORCE COVID TESTING PROGRAMME EXTENDED

Thousands more employees and employers across Northern Ireland will be able to benefit from regular workforce testing for Covid-19. Health Minister Robin Swann has today announced important plans to expand the current asymptomatic testing programme for workforces. At present, the programme is available to employers in designated sectors with more than 50 employees who cannot […]

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POOTS ANNOUNCES £2M COVID-19 FINANCIAL SUPPORT PACKAGE

Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots MLA has announced a financial support package worth up to £2M for pig farmers who have been impacted by the collapse in prices for cull sows in the last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The Minister announced the £2M cull sow support scheme, explaining that: “I met recently with representatives of pig […]

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POOTS ANNOUNCES PAYMENT OF £16.5M UNDER ENVIRONMENTAL FARMING SCHEME

Payments totalling £16.5million to participants in the Environmental Farming Scheme (EFS) have commenced, Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots MLA has announced. The payments for over 60% of EFS Wider and Higher 2020 claims, worth £9.5million, will appear in farmers’ bank accounts within 10 working days. The Department will continue to release the remaining payments as quickly as […]

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Masked loyalists in Markethill consistent with several other displays of intimidation across the North – Sinn Fein

Sinn Féin councillor for Markethill, Bróna Haughey, has said images and video footage of masked loyalists parading through the streets in the town this evening echoes “shows of strength” in other places across the North and appears to be a deliberate attempt to stir tension rather than a band parade.  Bróna Haughey said: “Irresponsible and […]

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Police Appealing for Witnesses Following Bessbrook Stabbing

A man in his 20s was sitting in his vehicle in the Ard Aveen Park area at around 4.40pm Monday 5th April when he was attacked through the open window by another man armed with a knife. The victim was taken to hospital for treatment to his injuries which are thought to be serious but […]

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£1.3MILLION ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR NORTHERN IRELAND HOSPICES

Health Minister Robin Swann has announced an additional £1.3million for Northern Ireland Hospices. The funding, which is non-recurrent, is in recognition of the impact of Covid-19 on the services delivered by the four hospices.  Health Minister Robin Swann said: “I am delighted to announce this additional funding for hospices in recognition of the significant pressures brought […]

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REOPENING OF PAYMENTS SCHEME FOR BEREAVED VICTIMS AND SURVIVORS

First Minister Arlene Foster and deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill have announced the extension and reopening of the Bereaved Self-Directed Assistance Payments Scheme. The scheme, which will be open to bereaved victims and survivors who are not already in receipt of payments from the Victims and Survivors Service (VSS), will reopen from 1 April 2021. […]

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SWANN RECEIVES COVID-19 VACCINE AND URGES PUBLIC DO SAME

Health Minister Robin Swann received his first Astra Zeneca vaccine at a community pharmacy in Ballymena. Speaking after receiving his jab at Ballee Pharmacy, Minister Swann said: “This has been a significant week for vaccine roll-out in Northern Ireland with the opening of the regional vaccination centre at The SSE Arena, the launch of our community pharmacy […]

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JUSTICE MINISTER LAUNCHES SCHEME TO PROVIDE FREE LEGAL ADVICE TO VICTIMS OF SEXUAL OFFENCES

Justice Minister Naomi Long has announced the launch of a pilot scheme to provide publicly funded independent legal advice to victims of sexual offences. The provision of this additional support and legal advice for victims was identified as a key priority in the Gillen Review into the Law and Procedures in Serious Sexual Offences. The […]

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NORTHERN IRELAND VACCINATION PROGRAMME EXPANDED TO 45-49 AGE GROUP

Northern Ireland’s Covid-19 vaccination programme has been extended to people in the 45-49 age bracket. Everyone aged 45 and over can now book to have their jab at a vaccination centre or participating community pharmacy. Booking where possible should be done online at: https://covid-19.hscni.net/get-vaccinated If online booking is not possible, then the telephone booking number is […]

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Welcome For £12 Million Suspected Drug Seizure in Newry

Sinn Féin MP Mickey Brady  has welcomed news that suspected drugs estimated to be worth  £12 million have been seized in Newry.  The Newry and Armagh MP said:  “News that almost £12 million of illegal drugs have been seized by the PSNI in a search in Newry is to be welcomed. The fact that these drugs will now not find their way into […]