Categories
Crime Downpatrick South Down

Man Charged With Drug Offences Following Newcastle Search

Detectives have charged a 45-year-old man with drug-related offences including possession with intent to supply a Class B controlled drug. He is due before Downpatrick Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, 23rd June. As is usual procedure, all charges will be reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service. The charges relate to a search in the Pinewood View area of Newcastle on Thursday, 26th […]

Categories
Community Council Government Newry NMD Council South Down

Giant Adventures Return to Newry, Mourne and Down

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council’s Giant Adventures festivals, and other events, will return this summer after a two-year hiatus. Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Michael Rice said, “The Giant Adventures festivals namely, Wake the Giant, Footsteps in the Forest, and new for 2022, Eats & Beats, will take place in various […]

Categories
Community Council Government Newry NMD Council Politics

Savage to be New Chair of Council

SDLP Councillor Michael Savage will be named as the new Chair of Newry Mourne & Down Council at the Council’s AGM on June 6th. It’s the SDLP’s turn to nominate the First Citizen for the last year of this Council term and Councillor Savage has been selected by his party’s Council Group to take up […]

Categories
Community Government Health Stormont

First Case of Monkeypox Confirmed in Northern Ireland

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is today [Thursday 26 May] confirming that a case of monkeypox has been identified in Northern Ireland. This was not unexpected following the presence of monkeypox cases elsewhere in the UK. To protect patient confidentiality, no further details relating to the patient will be disclosed. The virus can be passed […]

Categories
Community Government South Down Stormont

McGrath: Drumaness ‘in shock’ Following Fatal Road Accident

SDLP South Down MLA Colin McGrath has described a community ‘in shock’ today following the tragic death of a woman in a fatal road collision on the Newcastle Road. Colin McGrath MLA said: “People in Drumaness are in shock this morning after a collision on the Newcastle Road yesterday has resulted in the death of […]

Categories
Community Council Government NMD Council Politics South Down

Patrick Brown MLA Welcomes Selection of New Councillor David Lee for Rowallane

Patrick Brown MLA has welcomed the selection of David Lee to takeover his Rowallane Council seat, following the South Down Alliance Party selection meeting on Wednesday night. The South Down MLA said that Cllr. Lee will be an asset to the Alliance Party, and to his constituents in Rowallane DEA. Mr Brown said: “I am […]

Categories
Government Health Politics Stormont

Minister Announces Further Waiting List Initiatives

Health Minister Robin Swann has spelt out a range of important initiatives to treat more patients on hospital waiting lists. These include naming Omagh Hospital as Northern Ireland’s second regional Day Procedure Centre. The Minister confirmed that, despite ongoing budgetary uncertainty, he has been able to allocate £46million for additional waiting list activity for the […]

Categories
Community Council Downpatrick Government NMD Council South Down

Council Appoints New Chairperson

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council has appointed a new Chairperson following the election of Cathy Mason (Sinn Féin) as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA). Councillor Michael Rice (Sinn Féin) will hold the position for Mrs Mason’s remaining period of office, a period of three weeks until Monday 6 June 2022. At 22 years old, Councillor Michael […]

Categories
Business Community Government Kilkeel South Down Stormont

McGrath: Closure of Kilkeel Danske Bank Will Impact Local Community!

SDLP South Down MLA Colin McGrath has said the closure of the Danske Bank branch in Kilkeel will have a negative impact on the local community. Mr McGrath said many people in the coastal town relied on the branch for banking and other services and would be lost without it.  He will be contacting the […]

Categories
Albert Basin Park Campaigns Community Council Government Newry NMD Council

Plans for a City Park in Newry Advance as Council Agrees Outline Business Case

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council’s Strategy, Policy and Resources (SPR) Committee has agreed the outline business case for a City Park at Newry’s Albert Basin as part of plans to unlock funding of £16.2 million. Subject to ratification at a meeting of full Council in June the outline business case will be submitted to […]

Categories
Community Downpatrick Government Kilkeel Politics South Down Stormont

Patrick Brown MLA Expresses Frustration at Lack of Government

Patrick Brown MLA has expressed his frustration at the DUP’s refusal to go into government this week. The South Down MLA said the DUP’s move to block the appointment of a Speaker, and prevent the Assembly from sitting, was hugely disrespectful the people of Northern Ireland during the cost of living crisis. ‘We are in […]

Categories
Election 2022 Government Newry Politics Stormont

“It May Look Different, but it’s Same Old, Same Old” – Grant

The media and the Big 5 parties have trailed this election as the most significant one in over twenty years. But what has really changed? Workers Party candidates said consistently throughout the election campaign that the morning after polling day the big issues would remain, the cost of living, health, education, low pay and the […]