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Business Politics South Down

McKevitt: Lyons Silence on Spend Local Scheme Unacceptable

SDLP Crotlieve Councillor Karen McKevitt has said that a DUP Minister’s silence on the problems faced by people still trying to access their spend local cards is unacceptable. Cllr. McKevitt said Economy Minister Gordon Lyons has gone into hiding as people report serious difficulties with the high-profile scheme.  Cllr. McKevitt said: “The Spend Local cards […]

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Armagh Banbridge Health Kilkeel Lurgan Newry Portadown South Armagh South Down Upper Bann

New Southern Trust Carers Consultants

The Southern Trust has appointed two ‘Carers Consultants’ to support those who care for an adult with a learning disability. In their new roles, Bernie Marshall and Majella Gorman aim to keep carers updated on Trust developments, help them to share their views and participate in the planning and delivery of learning disability services. As […]

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Crime South Down

Hoax Devices Cause Security Alert

A security alert in Newcastle has now ended. Newry, Mourne and Down District Commander, Superintendent Norman Haslett said: “We received two reports of suspicious objects in the Castlewellan Road and Carrigs Road area of the town on both Tuesday (11th January) and Wednesday (12th January). “Following searches by both police officers on the ground and […]

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Election 2022 Politics South Down Stormont

McKevitt Demands Executive Ministers Focus on the Job Not Political Games

SDLP Newry, Mourne and Down Councillor Karen McKevitt has said she is frustrated and angry at the continued threats to stability and delivery from the DUP and Sinn Fein. With just four months of this mandate left, the SDLP is calling for the delivery of the agreed New Decade New Approach commitments. Cllr. McKevitt said: […]

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Downpatrick Election 2022 Health South Down Stormont

McGrath: Cancer Patients Failed Throughout Pandemic!

SDLP Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath has said that cancer patients in the North have been continually failed throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. He was commenting after the latest cancer waiting time figures from the Department of Health showed all targets had been missed. South Down MLA Mr McGrath said: “That all targets for the North’s cancer […]

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Crime South Down

Man Charged With Murder Following Downpatrick Stabbing

Detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Major Investigation Team investigating the murder of a 28-year-old man, following a stabbing incident in Downpatrick on Monday 3rd January, have charged a 36-year-old man with murder and possession of a weapon. He appeared before Newtownards Magistrates Court via videolink on Wednesday morning (January 5th). As is usual […]

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Health South Down

McGrath Urges Action to Ensure People Have Access to Lateral Flow Tests 

SDLP Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath has said that the Department of Health must take action to address the lack of lateral flow tests available in the North.  He said it was particularly important people had access following the change to the Covid-19 guidance that people with a positive lateral flow test no longer require a […]

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Crime South Down

Man Dies Following Downpatrick Stabbing

Detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Major Investigation Team have launched a murder investigation after a 28-year-old man died following a stabbing incident in Downpatrick this morning (Monday, 3rd January). Detective Chief Inspector, John Caldwell said: “We believe that the man was stabbed in the Church Street area of the town around 11am […]

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Politics South Down

Alliance Councillor Pushes for Transparency in Local Government

Local Alliance councillor, Patrick Brown, is to introduce a motion with the aim of increasing transparency and accountability at a local government level. Although Council meetings are recorded, Cllr Brown is calling for meetings to be streamed live or for the pre-recorded videos of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council meetings to be made publicly […]

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Health South Down

McGrath: Breast Cancer Audit Must Form Part of Future Planning  

SDLP Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath has reiterated calls for a metastatic breast cancer audit to be undertaken for the North, and said it should be included within the cancer strategy.  Mr McGrath previously submitted an Assembly question asking how many people have been diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer in each of the last five years, […]

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Health South Down

McGrath Backs Plans to Ban Smoking in Cars With Children  

SDLP Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath has backed plans to ban smoking in cars with children. Regulations to make smoking with children in the car a punishable offence were introduced in the Assembly on Monday.  The regulations also include plans to ban the sale of products like e-cigarettes to under 18s.   South Down MLA Mr […]

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Armagh Banbridge Business Community Lurgan Newry Portadown South Armagh South Down

Spend Local Deadline Extended Until 19th December

Economy Minister Gordon Lyons today announced that the High Street Scheme will be extended by five days to 19 December. The Minister also urged anyone with any balance left on their £100 Spend Local cards to use it now. He said: “The High Street Scheme is working well. The benefits are clearly flowing through to our […]