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Sinn Féin MLA Liz Kimmins  has welcomed the announcement of an additional £7.5 million to help charities to meet the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Newry & Armagh MLA said: “Local charities have been among some of the hardest hit by the pandemic as it has hampered their usual ability to fundraise to support […]

Planning Permission has been granted for a massive mixed use development in Newry City Centre. The site sits between Merchant’s Quay and Cornmarket and the proposals would change forever the dynamics of the area. Presently no-one lives along Merchant’s Quay and coupled with another proposed development at the Sugar Island end of the street, this […]

Sinn Féin MLA Liz Kimmins has said no one should face intimidation or harassment when accessing healthcare. Speaking in relation to organised protests at John Mitchel Place Clinic in Newry, the MLA said:  “It is unacceptable that women accessing a health clinic have had to face down protesters on their way to appointments. “This clinic […]

South Down MLA Jim Wells has criticised a Newry women’s group for their stance on defending women in the act of abortion. Supporting Women Newry was recently formed by local women in the Newry area to defend women’s rights. The group have been highly critical of the organisation Precious Life and its founder Bernie Smith […]

UNISON members in Northern Ireland throughout Thursday March 11th are sending a message to Boris Johnson that a 1% fund for NHS pay is an insult after the year they have been through. A 1% pay rise is bad for the health service, its workforce and each and every health worker. Such a low wage […]

Sinn Féin MLA Liz Kimmins has said the gender pay gap must be eradicated. The Newry and Armagh MLA said: “On International Women’s Day we celebrate the achievements of women and the progress made in the struggle for equality. “But obstacles to equality remain, including the continued existence of the gender pay gap. “It is […]

The Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Public Protection Branch (PPB) have today, Monday 8th March, launched their sexual abuse and sexual violence victim support questionnaire. Detective Chief Inspector Siobhan Ennis, PPB said: “Sexual abuse and violence is a horrific crime that can affect anyone – it doesn’t matter what age, gender, race or sexuality you […]

With a rise in cases of type 1 diabetes in children this year, the lead consultant for paediatric and adolescent diabetes in the Southern Trust, is calling on parents and young people to be aware of the signs and symptoms and not to ignore them. Type 1 diabetes is a serious autoimmune condition which results […]

Ulster Unionist Councillor for Slieve Gullion David Taylor has condemned the criminals responsible for a horrific attack on police officers in Jonesborough yesterday afternoon which resulted in three officers being injured.Councillor Taylor said:“I am extremely concerned to learn of an incident in Jonesborough involving a police car being repeatedly rammed by a lorry during a […]

At the full council meeting, last Monday night, Cllr Declan Murphy proposed that council officials establish a mechanism to enable councillors to discuss and decide a name change for Newry, Mourne and Down District Council. The Slieve Gullion area Councillor explained, “The opportunity for righting this historic wrong was created by the Local Government Boundary […]

Economy Minister Diane Dodds has commented on the economic measures announced in the UK Budget. The Minister said: “The Job Retention Scheme has seen significant take-up in Northern Ireland, with in excess of 100,000 people furloughed. I have been clear that, rather than ending on 31 March, the scheme would be required for some months […]

The Department of Health is today publishing its latest detailed breakdown of Northern Ireland’s vaccination numbers. The programme continues to make excellent progress, with the addition of a number of new cohorts in recent weeks. Patricia Donnelly, head of NI’s vaccination programme, said: “We are significantly ahead of our original schedule and our Trust vaccination […]