Categories
Community Constituency Council Education Government Health Housing Infrastructure Newry Newry and Armagh NMD Council Politics Stormont Westminster

Locals First Initiative: Our Opposition Is to Government Policy, NOT Migrant Workers or Those From Different Backgrounds!

Statement: In recent months, Sinn Féin, the SDLP and Alliance have attempted to portray the Locals First Initiative as being opposed to immigrant workers and people from different backgrounds. That claim is simply untrue. Our position has been consistent from the very beginning. We stand for the people of Newry, Mourne and Down—regardless of their […]

Categories
Community Constituency Council Government Newry Newry and Armagh NMD Council Politics

Locals First Initiative Urges Council to Withdraw From the City of Sanctuary Network

Locals First Initiative Urges Councillors to Do the Right Thing – Withdraw from the City and District of Sanctuary Network The Locals First Initiative is calling on every councillor in Newry, Mourne and Down District Council to do the right thing and vote to withdraw from the City and District of Sanctuary network. For too […]

Categories
Community Constituency Election 2027 Elections Government Lurgan Politics Stormont Upper Bann

Sinn Féin Targets Two Assembly Seats In Upper Bann as O’Dowd and Nelson Selected

Speaking at the launch of Sinn Féin’s Upper Bann Assembly election candidates launch in Lurgan on Tuesday evening, Sinn Féin Leas-Uachtarán Michelle O’Neill said: “Next May, people across Upper Bann will have the opportunity to elect two Sinn Féin MLAs. “John O’Dowd and Catherine Nelson are strong local representatives who champion Upper Bann every day, […]

Categories
Armagh Climate Community Constituency Council Government Newry Newry and Armagh NMD Council Politics South Armagh

Grant: Money For Civic Centre Could Be Used on Climate Projects

Ms Grant speaking this morning after reading an article in a national newspaper about the heat wave afflicting Western Europe fuelled by the climate crisis and how low-income families are often the most disproportionately affected and women are always at the sharp end of the hardships.Ms Grant said this was not surprising because the working […]

Categories
Community Constituency Health Newry Newry and Armagh Politics South Armagh

Mulgrew: Housing Crisis Locally Shocking and Unacceptable

Aontú’s Newry & Armagh Rep, Roisin Mulgrew, speaks out on the housing situation locally and the information obtained by Aontú that there has been a 50% rise in the waiting list for those waiting 5 years or more The 50% rise since 2021, in people waiting more than 5 years for housing in Newry, Mourne […]

Categories
Armagh Campaigns Community Constituency Daisy Hill Government Health Newry Newry and Armagh Politics South Armagh Westminster

Hughes Raises Daisy Hill Maternity Services With Southern Trust

Sinn Féin MP for Newry and Armagh, Dáire Hughes, has raised the issues surrounding maternity services at Daisy Hill Hospital. Speaking at Thursday’s Southern Trust Board meeting, Dáire Hughes said: “Last week’s suspension of services demonstrated the fragility of maternity at Daisy Hill Hospital. Whilst we understand the causes of this suspension and understand the […]

Categories
Community Politics Newry Constituency Newry and Armagh Housing

Locals First Initiative Demands Urgent Action on Housing Crisis

Northern Ireland is facing an unprecedented housing crisis, with almost 50,000 households currently waiting for a social home and thousands more trapped in temporary accommodation. The latest figures paint a stark picture of growing housing demand, rising homelessness, and increasing pressure on already stretched public services. At the end of 2025, there were 49,755 households […]

Categories
Community Crime Government Politics Stormont

Announcement of New Police Ombudsman For Northern Ireland

First Minister Michelle O’Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly have today announced the appointment of Jacqui Durkin as the new Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland. The First Minister and deputy First Minister said Ms Durkin, who has served as Chief Inspector of Criminal Justice in Northern Ireland since November 2019, brings extensive senior leadership […]

Categories
Community Constituency Downpatrick Election 2027 Elections Government Kilkeel Newcastle Politics South Down Stormont Warrenpoint

Sinn Féin Targets Three Seats In South Down For The First Time

For the first time ever Sinn Féin have selected three candidates in South Down to contest the 2027 Assembly Election. Current MLAs Sinéad Ennis and Cathy Mason will be seeking re-election and will be joined by the former Chairperson of Newry, Mourne and Down Council, Councillor Michael Rice. Speaking at the launch on Wednesday evening […]

Categories
Community Education Government Politics Stormont

Archibald Welcomes Continuation of Gaza Student Scheme

Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald has welcomed the announcement that the Gaza Student Scheme will be delivered again in the 2026/27 academic year.  The scheme supports students in Gaza to exit safely and take up confirmed places across Higher Education Institutions in Britain and here. The Minister said: “Education has a critical role to play in […]

Categories
Armagh Community Constituency Government Newry Newry and Armagh Politics South Armagh Stormont Westminster

Sinn Féin Has Selected Three Candidates to Stand In Newry and Armagh In Next Assembly Election In May 2027

Three sitting MLAs, Liz Kimmins, Aoife Finnegan and Cathal Boylan will contest the election for the party next year.    Speaking to hundreds of people at the launch event in the Canal Court Hotel in Newry on Friday evening, Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald TD said the three candidates are ingrained in their communities, […]

Categories
Business Community Constituency Council Government Newry Newry and Armagh NMD Council Politics

£1 Million Hotel Accommodation Scheme Set to Boost Tourism Growth Across Newry, Mourne and Down

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council is delighted to announce the successful recipients of its £1 million Hotel Accommodation Scheme, an investment aimed at increasing hotel room capacity and supporting the continued growth of tourism across the district. The scheme has been established to help meet rising visitor demand by supporting accommodation providers to expand […]