CLANRYE NEWS 
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council has approved its Assessment of Performance 2025-26, outlining progress made against key priorities over the past year and highlighting areas where further improvement is needed. Considered and approved by the Strategy, Policy and Resources Committee on Thursday 13 August 2026, the Assessment reflects the Council’s ongoing commitment to delivering […]
By Donal McMahon A Stormont department key to appointing “commissioners” to a Co Down port says it has no need for councillors amid a stink protest.The Department for Infrastructure (DfI) Minister Liz Kimmins has invited councillors to apply to the board of Warrenpoint Harbour Authority (WHA), following resignations last July over concerns of foul odours in […]
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has welcomed the granting of Royal Assent to the Sign Language Act, marking a historic and transformative moment for sign language users across Northern Ireland. The Act provides formal recognition and support for sign language, helping to ensure that Deaf people can participate more fully in society and access public services […]
Finance Minister John O’Dowd has met with Belfast Chamber to discuss proposed reforms to the business rating system and encourage businesses to respond to the consultation on the Business Growth Accelerator and Non-Domestic Vacant Rating measures. Speaking following the meeting, John O’Dowd said: “I welcomed the opportunity to meet with the Belfast Chamber and discuss my […]
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, […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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, […]