Categories
Armagh Banbridge Community Lurgan Portadown Upper Bann

Decade of Commemorations Creative Writing and Art Project Concludes with Book Launch

Two cross-community groups from across Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough have successfully completed a creative writing and art project aimed at building positive relations through creative exploration of the Decade of Commemorations. The programme participants gathered at Brownlow House, Lurgan to mark the launch of a book capturing aspects, thoughts and emotions arising from the […]

Categories
Agriculture Business Downpatrick Kilkeel South Down

McKee Hits Out at HMRC Plans on Red Diesel

Traditional Unionist Voice Mourne Councillor and South Down candidate for the 2022 Assembly elections Harold McKee joined the UFU on Tuesday via zoom to listen to HMRC officials explain the new changes to rebated fuel from 1 April 2022. Councillor McKee said: “These changes will be as a result of the 2020 and 2021 Budgets […]

Categories
Climate Newry South Down

McKevitt Welcomes Completion of £160,000 Flood Alleviation Scheme for Newry

SDLP councillor Karen McKevitt has welcomed the completion of a £160,000 flood alleviation scheme for Newry. This £160,000 scheme at Greenan Road involved culverting a 40-metre section of open watercourse, upgrading 120 metres of existing culverted watercourse and the construction of a new culvert inlet structure. Councillor McKevitt said: “The completion of this vital work […]

Categories
Banbridge Infrastructure Upper Bann

Kelly: Let’s Get Rail Banbridge

SDLP Upper Bann MLA Dolores Kelly MLA has said that the all-island strategic rail review launched by her party colleague Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon MLA is an unprecedented opportunity to enhance local services and transform how people commute. In response to the review, Mrs Kelly has launched a new campaign called ‘Let’s Get Rail Banbridge’ […]

Categories
Community Newry South Armagh

Murphy Welcomes Works at Bessbrook Playpark

Sinn Féin councillor Declan Murphy has welcomed the commencement of works at the pond playpark in Bessbrook, claiming that once completed the park will be a “fantastic asset for the community”. Councillor Murphy said: “I am delighted to see the works now begin on upgrading this play park for the people of Bessbrook. “This project […]

Categories
Community Dáil Éireann Government Louth Seanad Éireann

Fianna Fail Welcome St.Brigid’s Public Holiday 

Local Fianna Fáil Senator Fiona O’Loughlin has welcomed the announcement that St Brigid’s day will be marked with a new public holiday from 2023 after years of active campaigning on the issue. The closest Monday to the 1st of February will be a public holiday.  Senator O’Loughlin said, “As a Kildare person I am delighted […]

Categories
Community Government Lurgan Politics Stormont Upper Bann

John O’Dowd on Loss of EU Funding

Sinn Féin MLA John O’Dowd has said the loss of EU Funding due to the Tory/DUP Brexit is putting jobs and livelihoods at risk. The Upper Bann spokesperson said: “The Department for the Economy has lost £65 million per year in EU funding as direct result of the Brexit delivered by the British Government and the […]

Categories
Business Government South Armagh South Down Stormont Upper Bann

Omicron Hospitality Payment Scheme Underway

Land & Property Services has begun contacting hospitality businesses to confirm their details to enable the Omicron Hospitality Payment to be made. Over 3,200 businesses will be eligible for a one-off grant payment of either £10,000, £15,000 or £20,000 based on their rateable value. Eligible businesses will include; restaurants, cafés, coffee shops, bistros, snack bars, […]

Categories
Climate Community Downpatrick Kilkeel South Down

McKevitt Encourages Council to Avail of E-Charging Funding

SDLP councillor Karen McKevitt has encouraged Newry, Mourne and Down District Council to apply for funding to facilitate e-charging infrastructure.   Funding is available from the Office for Zero Emissions Vehicles (OZEV) for local councils to provide charge points for residents without off-street parking through the On-street Residential Charge Point Scheme (ORCS).   SDLP Infrastructure […]

Categories
Community Lurgan Upper Bann

Lockhart Welcomes First Minister to Brownlow House to Celebrate Funding Boost

Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has hosted a visit by First Minister Paul Givan MLA to Brownlow House, Lurgan, to discuss the continuing development of the venue as a hospitality, tourism and cultural showpiece. The MP also confirmed that Brownlow House had been successful in securing £100,000 from the Dormant Accounts Fund to assist in […]

Categories
Community Lurgan Upper Bann

Mackle Calls for Empty Properties to Be Made Habitable

Sinn Féin Council Group leader Liam Mackle has called on private landlords who own empty properties to make them habitable. Cllr. Mackle said, “We are currently in the midst of a housing crisis, which will take time and money to tackle, and thankfully my party colleague Deirdre Hargey has introduced important plans on this. However, […]

Categories
Community Crime Newry

Coade Condemns Racist Graffiti in Newry

Newry and Armagh Alliance representative Jackie Coade has condemned the recent racist graffiti at the Mourneview Park estate in Newry. Ms Coade said: “There are just no words. I was contacted earlier today about this disgusting racist slur dubbed across a house in the Mourneview area of Newry. It is hugely disappointing to see this […]