Category: Uncategorized

Ensuring working parents have access to statutory Parental Bereavement Leave and Pay is the right thing to do, Economy Minister Paul Frew said today. The Minister was speaking as the Parental Bereavement Leave and Pay Bill reached its second stage in the Assembly. Mr Frew said: “Working parents who experience the loss of a child under […]

A man abused for years by a paedophile priest at a Co Down school is to receive a six-figure sum in damages, the High Court heard today. The pay-out to Tony Gribben forms part of a settlement reached in his lawsuit over the historic sexual and physical assaults he suffered at the hands of the […]

Health Minister Robin Swann has applauded initiatives to support vaccination take-up. A targeted programme of pop-up clinics is being rolled out to different locations in Northern Ireland, helping local communities access vaccines. Separately, GP practices will be getting in touch with patients aged 50 and over who have so far not come forward for their jabs. […]

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council has just launched a new public awareness campaign to tackle the issue of dog fouling and raise awareness of ‘Responsible Dog Ownership’ in our district. The campaign has been developed in partnership with Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful,which is an independent charity dedicated to creating a cleaner, greener and more […]

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council has welcomed a new litter campaign by McDonald’s in Northern Ireland, aimed at tackling litter in parks, on paths and along roadsides in towns across the province. The ‘30 Parks in 30 Days’ campaign will see McDonald’s employees undertake 30 litter clean-ups in parks and nature areas across Northern […]

Liz Kimmins has expressed her frustration that road resurfacing works in four areas, including Newry Mourne and Down, have been delayed due to a legal challenge. The Newry and Armagh MLA stated: “The fact that road resurfacing in the four council areas of Newry Mourne and Down,  Mid Ulster; Derry and Strabane; and Omagh is being delayed […]

“Illegal money lenders don’t care about their victims, they are only interested in exerting control and exploiting vulnerable people for their own gain,” Justice Minister Naomi Long has said.  She was speaking as The Northern Ireland Executive Programme to Tackle Paramilitary Activity, Criminality and Organised Crime launched its latest ‘Ending the Harm’ public awareness campaign, which will focus […]

Health Minister Robin Swann has announced new services for the treatment and assessment of post-Covid-19 syndrome, also known as ‘long Covid’. The services include the establishment of a new multidisciplinary assessment service for post-Covid-19 patients.  Speaking today, Minister Swann said: “Covid-19 has presented many challenges, not least for our health service.  And whilst we will continue […]

Our actions now will have a crucial bearing on the direction of the Covid-19 pandemic this summer, Health Minister Robin Swann has emphasised. The Minister was commenting on concerns across these islands about the spread of the Delta variant of the virus. While the number of confirmed Delta cases remain relatively low in NI, experience […]

Last week saw local residents, businesses, council staff and councillors run, cycle and paddle to help raise vital funds for the Oxfam India Covid-19 Appeal – with donations still open! Led by Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, the calorie busting fundraiser got into gear on Tuesday 8 June at South Lake Leisure Centre […]

Finance Minister Conor Murphy today (Monday 14 June) launched an expansion of the student placement scheme across the civil service. More than 100 placements will be available across a range of areas including accountancy, architecture, civil engineering, communications, law and policy. Launching the scheme, Minister Murphy said: “I am delighted that we are able to offer […]

Sinn Féin Newry Mourne & Down Councillor Aoife Finnegan  has welcomed the expansion of the Affordable Warmth Scheme to help cut the cost of energy bills for even more families in a new plan announced by Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey. The Slieve Gullion area Councillor who recently raised her concerns about  the issue of eligibility […]