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Campaigns Community Constituency Cost of Living Council Downpatrick Government Health Newry Newry and Armagh NMD Council South Down

NMD Council Set to Develop Homeless Strategy

By Donal McMahon A Northern Ireland council could be set to generate a new homelessnesses strategy following a councillor’s claim of a record spike of over 160% in social housing waiting lists. Newry, Mourne and Down District Council has been tasked to consider its role in dealing with “unprecedented levels” of households in the district in temporary […]

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Community Constituency Downpatrick Government Infrastructure South Down Stormont

McGrath Highlights Accident Blackspot

SDLP South Down MLA Colin McGrath has been highlighting an accident blackspot at the Bonecastle Road in Downpatrick. Mr McGrath received a huge response after highlighting a number of accidents in the area on social media. He has called on the Department for Infrastructure to implement additional safety measures on the road. South Down MLA […]

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Community Constituency Council Downpatrick Government Kilkeel Newcastle Newry Newry and Armagh NMD Council South Armagh South Down Warrenpoint

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Working Through Bin Backlog

The two week period of industrial action short of strike by union members at Newry, Mourne and Down District Council has concluded and Council are now working through the backlog of missed bin collections.   WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY 31 JULY  If your Blue and Brown bin has not been collected on your normal collection day, please […]

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Community Constituency Council Downpatrick Government Kilkeel Lifestyle Newcastle Newry Newry and Armagh NMD Council South Down Warrenpoint

Mourne Gullion Strangford Included in Unique UK UNESCO Sites on New Illustrated Map

Ignite your summer adventures and discover Mourne Gullion Strangford UNESCO Global Geopark, alongside 57 other unique UNESCO sites in the UK and crown dependencies, thanks to a newly illustrated map now available to download for free from the UK National Commission for UNESCO. From expansive mountain ranges and stunning coastlines to vibrant cities and rural […]

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Community Constituency Downpatrick Government International Politics South Down Stormont Westminster

‘British Government Should Scrap Damaging Visa Legislation’ – Mason

Sinn Féin MLA Cathy Mason has said British Government legislation to impose visa restrictions on travel between the north and south of Ireland is offensive and potentially devastating to the tourist industry here.  Under the proposals, Irish residents without an Irish passport, or tourists who wish to visit the North from the south, would need […]

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Business Community Constituency Council Downpatrick Government NMD Council South Down

Downpatrick Business Owner Launches Business With Council Go For It Programme

Downpatrick business owner and motorcycle enthusiast, Chris Howard has turned his passion for motorcycles and racing into his very own motorcycle repair business, CHP Motoworks. Chris secured support to develop his business on the Go For It programme in association with Newry, Mourne and Down District Council. Having only launched his business in March this […]

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Community Constituency Crime Downpatrick Government Legacy Politics South Down Westminster

Hazzard Hits Out at Paisley Comments on Legal Representative

South Down MP Chris Hazzard has condemned comments made by Ian Paisley in Westminster this week about a legal representative of the family of Colum Marks. The South Down MP said: “Ian Paisley’s comments in relation to a legal representative of Colum Marks’ family and the inferences made are dangerous and hark back to darker […]

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Campaigns Community Constituency Cost of Living Downpatrick Education Government Politics South Down Stormont

Assembly Must be Restored to Help Cut School Costs For Families – Mason

Sinn Féin MLA Cathy Mason has said the Assembly must be restored now to help cut school costs for families. Speaking after meeting with school principals today with party colleague Danny Baker MLA, Cathy Mason said: “Sinn Féin want to legislate to make school uniforms more affordable and help cut back school costs for families.   […]

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Constituency Crime Downpatrick South Down

Man Sentenced For Aiden Mann Murder

Barry Donnelly was sentenced today, Tuesday 4 July, for the manslaughter of Aiden Mann in County Down in January 2022. Donnelly, aged 38, appeared before Belfast Crown Court, having previously pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility. He will serve an indeterminate custodial sentence, with a minimum tariff of nine years. Aiden Mann died after […]

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Community Constituency Crime Downpatrick South Down

Former DUP Councillor Billy Walker Child Sex Grooming Messages Exposed

A former Newry, Mourne and Down DUP councillor who admitted two counts of attempted sexual communication with a child has avoided prison. The Newry, Mourne and Down District Councillor who represented the Rowallane DEA was arrested in February on suspicion of attempting to meet a child following potential sexual grooming. William Walker, 60, posed as […]

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Community Constituency Crime Downpatrick South Down

Former DUP Councillor William Walker Put on Sex Offenders Register

A former Newry, Mourne and Down DUP councillor who admitted two counts of attempted sexual communication with a child has avoided prison. William Walker, 60, posed as a younger man and asked two “children” to send him pictures in their school uniforms. However he had actually contacted members of a so-called paedophile hunter group acting […]

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Community Constituency Council Downpatrick Government Infrastructure NMD Council South Down

Upgrade of the Picturesque Jane’s Shore Pathway in Downpatrick Now Completed

A popular, picturesque pathway stretching 1km along the Quoile River in Downpatrick has now been re-opened to the public following completion of a major upgrade. Jointly backed by Newry, Mourne and Down Council under its Capital Programme fund and COVID Capital Reserves, and the Department for Infrastructure (DFI)’s funding contribution towards greenways, the project targeted […]