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Community Constituency Downpatrick Education Government Politics South Down Stormont

Mason Welcomes Support to Allow Girls The Right to Wear Trousers In School

Sinn Féin MLA Cathy Mason has welcomed the support from other parties on the Education Committee to allow girls the right to wear trousers in school. The South Down MLA said: “The DUP Education Minister squandered the chance to bring school uniform policies into the 21st century by refusing to guarantee girls the choice to […]

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Community Constituency Council Downpatrick Government Newry and Armagh NMD Council South Armagh South Down

Junior Ranger Challenge Encourages Children to Discover the Wonders of Mourne Gullion Strangford Geopark

Young nature lovers are being invited to step into the wild with the launch of the Junior Ranger Challenge from Mourne Gullion Strangford UNESCO Global Geopark. Children aged between 6 and 13 can now become official Junior Geopark Rangers by attending at least eight educational workshops held across Newry, Mourne and Down District Council’s Forest […]

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Community Constituency Downpatrick Education Government Politics South Down Stormont

Too Many Schools Being Failed By Successive DUP Ministers! – Mason

Sinn Fein MLA Cathy Mason has slammed successive DUP Education Ministers who have consistently failed schools in Northern Ireland. Mason said: “The findings of the Public Accounts Committee’s recent report on the management of the schools’ estate are nothing short of alarming. It confirms what parents, teachers, and pupils have known for years, too many […]

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Community Constituency Downpatrick Education Government International Politics South Down Stormont

Mason Writes to Education Minister Over Israel Trip

Sinn Féin MLA Cathy Mason has written to the Education Minister and submitted a series of questions over his trip to Israel. The South Down MLA said: “The DUP Education Minister has chosen to visit Israel at a time when that very same state is committing genocide against the Palestinian people. Meanwhile, schools here continue […]

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Campaigns Community Constituency Daisy Hill Downpatrick Government Health Politics South Down Stormont

SDLP Accuses Health Minister of ‘Dithering’ on Nurse’s Pay!

SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA has accused the Health Minister of dithering over nurses’ pay. He challenged the Minister during health questions in the Assembly on Monday. It comes as the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) ballot members on strike action. South Down MLA Colin McGrath said: “The Finance Minister raised the hopes […]

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Community Constituency Crime Downpatrick Government South Down Stormont

McGrath Condemns Attack on Priest

SDLP South Down MLA Colin McGrath has condemned an attack on a priest in the area. The priest was attacked at the church on St Patrick’s Avenue. There is another ongoing incident in the Marian Park area. Mr McGrath said: “This is a disgraceful attack on an elderly priest which has left him in a […]

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Community Constituency Crime Downpatrick South Down

Co. Down Murder Possibly Linked to Priest Attack

Detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Major Investigation Team have launched a murder inquiry following the death of a man in Downpatrick. Newry, Mourne and Down, District Commander Superintendent Norman Haslett said: “Police attended an address in the Marian Park area following a report of a deceased man at approximately 12pm on Sunday […]

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Community Constituency Crime Downpatrick Newry and Armagh South Down

Priest Attacked In Church In Co. Down

Detectives are appealing for information following the report of a priest being seriously assaulted in Downpatrick.It was reported to police at around 10.10am on Sunday, 10th August that a man had walked into the church on St Patrick’s Avenue and hit the priest on his head with a bottle before leaving.The victim was taken to hospital […]

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Community Constituency Council Downpatrick Government Newry Newry and Armagh NMD Council South Down

Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty Photo Competition Deadline Fast Approaching

Budding photographers across the district are reminded to capture their unique perspective of our Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty before 15 August. Each year, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council hosts an amateur photography competition to highlight the splendour of the district’s three Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). The winning photographs from across The […]

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Community Constituency Downpatrick Government Health Housing Kilkeel Newcastle Newry Newry and Armagh South Armagh Stormont Upper Bann Warrenpoint

Over £6 Million Spent on Temporary Housing By Housing Executive In Newry, Mourne and Down In 5 Years

Northern Ireland is facing a housing emergency of historic proportions. With homelessness rising, social housing waiting lists surging, and affordability worsening, families and individuals are struggling to find safe and permanent shelter. Housing Demand Soars As of 31st March 2025, the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) waiting list reached 49,083 households an increase of around 25% since […]

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Community Constituency Council Downpatrick Government Lifestyle NMD Council Politics South Down

Council Approves Next Phase of Castlewellan Forest Park Treetop Walk

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council has confirmed its commitment to delivering Northern Ireland’s first-ever treetop walk at Castlewellan Forest Park, following the successful completion and approval of the project’s Outline Business Case. Working in partnership with EAK Ireland, which is part of the EAK group, a leading provider of immersive, nature-based experiences, the Council […]

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Armagh Community Constituency Craigavon Downpatrick Infrastructure Newry Newry and Armagh South Down Upper Bann

The MOT Centres in NI With The Worst Pass Rates

By Compare NI New figures have revealed the MOT test centres with the worst pass rates across Northern Ireland. The car insurance experts at CompareNI.com have ranked which Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) test centres motorists are least likely to pass. Over the past year, Coleraine had the lowest pass rate for private cars out of all […]