Category: Uncategorized

The South Down branch of the DUP is licking its wounds tonight following a few high profile splits from the party. Two DUP councillors, a former Westminster election candidate and members of the South Down association have resigned from the party. Newry, Mourne and Down councillors Glyn Hanna and Kathryn Owen have quit along with constituency […]

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council is supporting the Public Health Agency (PHA) call for asymptomatic people to get COVID-19 tested in selected, targeted neighbourhoods within the Kilkeel area as a precautionary measure. The Public Health Agency (PHA) has identified a small number of probable cases of the Delta variant (VOC-21APR-02, first detected in India) […]

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council has outlined the next stage of its Newry City Centre Regeneration (NCCR) plans now that the online public consultation survey has drawn to a close. Speaking on behalf of the Newry City Centre Regeneration (NCCR) Board, Co-Chairpersons, Councillors Roisin Mulgrew and Pete Byrne thanked everyone who took the time […]

Inspector Adam Ruston said: “At around 1:40am the morning of Friday 4th June. Police received a report that a car outside a property in the Burn Brae area was on fire. Thankfully, there were no reports of any injuries, however, along with damage caused to the car there was some scorch damage caused to the […]

Sinn Féin representative for the Markethill area, Cllr Bróna Haughey has said that the erection of paramilitary flags in Markethill is harmful and intimidatory. The town has been saturated with Loyalist flags over recent days which include UVF and British Parachute Regiment flags.  Speaking on the issue, Cllr Haughey said,  “While I fully respect people’s […]

Police are becoming increasingly concerned for the welfare of 26-year-old Colm Davey from Castlewellan. Colm was last seen in the Drumaroad area of Castlewellan at approximately 3.20am this morning (Saturday 5 June).  He is described as being 5’ 7” in height, of medium build, and with short ginger-coloured hair. Police are appealing to Colm, or […]

A train has broken down near Poyntzpass. A spokesperson for the PSNI said: “Motorists are advised that the level crossing on Railway Street in Poyntzpass is not currently operational due to a broken down train.Please avoid the area and seek an alternative route.” ENDS

The Southern Trust has launched its Environmental Sustainability Strategy ahead of World Environment Day this Saturday, June 5. This ‘green plan’ outlines key environmental priorities over the next five years in areas including estates and utilities, green spaces and biodiversity and waste management. The Strategy builds on successes so far, with the Trust generating over […]

Economy Minister Diane Dodds today introduced a Bill to the Assembly to legislate for statutory Parental Bereavement Leave and Pay in Northern Ireland. Speaking about the Bill, the Minister said: “The trauma of losing a child is impossible to overstate, and it is completely understandable that working parents who experience such a bereavement will need the […]

A £950,000 fund to support the voluntary and community sector has been launched by Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey. The Small Capital Grants Programme, which is delivered by Co-operation Ireland, is aimed at assisting voluntary and community organisations purchase items of equipment to enhance and sustain the activities and services they provide to the community. Launching […]

Environment Minister Edwin Poots MLA has launched a consultation on the NI Carrier Bag Levy.   The Minister said: “Whilst the existing Carrier Bag Levy has been successful in already removing in excess of 1.5 billion bags from circulation I am aware heavy duty bags are now flooding the market, and are not being reused with […]