Detectives from the PSNI’s Organised Crime Branch have charged two men following searches of three properties in the Newry area on Wednesday, 15 June 2022.     A 33-year-old man has been charged with two counts of possession of a Class A controlled drug. He was also charged with possession of a Class B controlled […]

DAERA Minister Edwin Poots has announced an extension to the closing date for his £200,000 bounce-back support scheme for our local agricultural shows.     During visits to the Ballymoney and Lurgan shows recently, he said the deadline for applications will be extended by four weeks until 30 June. “It has been fantastic getting out […]

Magheralin Church of Ireland has won a £100,000 Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Pollinator Garden Award, Environment Minister Edwin Poots has announced.     The award is a single one-off grant to a rural community organisation to create a pollinator garden to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Magheralin Parish, Craigavon, will create a ‘Garden of Reflection’ in […]

The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission has held a workshop with students participating in the Skills for Life and Work Programme at the Clanrye Group.     Young people attending the session were highly engaged in exploring what their human rights are and the importance of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with […]

Direct cost-of-living payments of up to £650 will be made to those in greatest need over the coming weeks, Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has confirmed today.     The payments will be made to those on income-related and disability benefits, as well as pensioners, to help support those most in need during the escalating cost-of-living […]

NI Water staff have helped raise £6,380 towards the Ukrainian humanitarian crisis.     The ongoing conflict has had a devastating impact on Ukraine, so NI Water teamed up with local charity Foodstock to assist their work in refugee camps on the border regions. NI Water Business Services Manager, Movita MacKenzie says, “NI Water staff […]

DAERA Minister Edwin Poots has officially launched a newly enhanced section of the Ulster-Ireland International Appalachian Trail (IAT) during a visit to the Ulster American Folk Park in Omagh.     The Minister also unveiled a piece of public art which is just one part of the £137,000 worth of improvements along the Fermanagh and […]

Health Minister Robin Swann has praised the team behind an innovative and award-winning service providing healthcare to vulnerable older patients in care homes and their own homes.     The Southern Trust’s Acute Care at Home service was the first service of its kind in Northern Ireland. It is led by consultant geriatricians and includes […]

Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) officials have been assessing the damage caused by recent wildfires across the Mournes.     Minister Poots explains, “Between the 1 March and 13 April 2022, there were 45 wildfires which caused damage to an estimated 720ha of land mostly within the Eastern and Western Mournes which […]

Southern Regional College recently hosted the Celebration of Success Awards at Armagh City Hotel.     This event, which took place on Wednesday 25 May 2022, aims to recognise the excellence of our further education and work-based learning students. Family, friends, students and staff all came together to help celebrate the students’ achievements. Awards were […]

We all remember our childhood in Newry and hearing those iconic ice cream chimes, which signalled the arrival of the local ice cream man.     The nostalgia of buying a ’99’ ice cream with a flake, a screwball with a bubbly or a slush puppy is one of those enduring memories from a lot […]

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is reminding those who think they have been at risk of exposure to monkeypox and have symptoms to phone first. Do not go to a healthcare facility without contacting them first.     As of 30 May 2022, the number of confirmed cases in Northern Ireland is two. To protect […]

Sinn Féin MLA Conor Murphy has said the latest figures showing the North’s economy outperforming England, Scotland and Wales is more evidence that the protocol is working and creating jobs.     The Sinn Féin Finance Minister explains, “The latest figures from the Office of National Statistics in Britain for Quarter 3 of 2021 show […]

Loughs Agency’s exciting Carlingford Ambassadors Programme makes its comeback later this summer, with a whole host of unforgettable marine experiences planned for those taking part.     Teenagers aged between 14 and 17 residing in the Newry/Carlingford catchment area and who have a keen interest in the natural environment are encouraged to apply for the […]

Sinn Féin MLA Liz Kimmins has said the nurses’ formal trade dispute over pay is a deeply worrying development.     Local MLA Liz Kimmins explains, “The Tory government has treated health workers who have been on the frontline over the two years of the pandemic with contempt. “Health workers who have been delivering vital […]

Detectives from the PSNI’s Organised Crime Unit have arrested a 57-year-old man following the search of a property in Downpatrick on Wednesday 1 June.     The man was arrested on suspicion of a number of offences, including possession of a Class B controlled drug and possessing prohibited weapons.     Detective Chief Inspector Richard […]

This World Allergy Week (5 – 11 June 2022), generous shoppers in Newry are being encouraged to help an in-store fundraising campaign to support medical research into food allergies.     For the third year running, Tesco is working with the Natasha Allergy Research Foundation to help raise awareness and support medical research into food […]

Detectives in Newry are appealing for information and witnesses following a petrol bomb attack at a flat in the St Mary’s Street area of the city.     The attack happened in the early hours of this morning, Tuesday 7 June 2022.     Detective Inspector Johnston explains, “Police received a report at approximately 1.30 […]

Sinn Féin MP Mickey Brady has said the latest electricity price hike of 33% by Airtricity will hit workers and families hard and called on the DUP to get back to work and form an Executive to deal with the cost-of-living crisis.     The Newry and Armagh MP says, “Airtricity electricity prices have gone […]

A Northern Ireland Child Funeral Fund announced by Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey in March has come into operation from 1 June 2022.     A one-off lump-sum payment of £3,056 will be payable from the Fund to help families with the cost of a funeral on the death of a child under 18 or in […]

Lidl Northern Ireland has announced a massive Warehouse Clearance Sale in a number of its stores this June bank holiday weekend, including the Newry Lidl store in Buttercrane Shopping Centre.     Taking place for a limited time only, from Thursday 2 June to Monday 6 June, the warehouse sale will house 100s of Lidl […]

Employers from across the Newry, Mourne and Down region are being invited to showcase their job opportunities at the event, which will take place in the Canal Court Hotel, Newry between 10 am and 3 pm on Thursday 30 June 2022.     The Newry, Mourne and Down Job Fair is organised by Newry, Mourne […]

The recent Harm Reduction Café hosted at the beautiful St Luke’s Courtyard Garden was a great success.     Organised through ‘So Hope’, the event offered people with substance misuse, family members and anyone interested from the community, information on the impact of substance misuse and how to access support. So Hope is a partnership […]

Loved by children of all ages, The Gruffalo is making a special visit to Northern Ireland with The Big Lunch next month, in celebration of the Month Of Community.     Parents, childcare providers, youth workers and teachers are being offered the opportunity to enjoy a visit from the literary icon during his grand tour […]

After consultation with stakeholders in the Kilkeel Harbour area, SRC has developed the Harbour Skills & Jobs project which aims to promote lifelong learning, growth, and job-based recovery in the Kilkeel area.     SRC has been very fortunate to have gained funding from SEAFLAG to run this project and deliver a new innovating job […]

The COVID-19 spring booster vaccination programme got underway last month in nursing homes, but with the majority of GP practices having just begun vaccinating their eligible patients; the Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging those eligible to look out for their invite.     GPs will be vaccinating eligible patients aged 75 years or older, […]

Economy Minister Gordon Lyons has announced an increase in the limits for payments and awards to workers in employment rights cases.     Taking effect from 6 April 2022, the limit on the compensatory award for unfair dismissal rises from £89,669 to £94,063.     Also, the maximum amount of ‘a week’s pay’ for the […]

Economy Minister Gordon Lyons has welcomed the sixth PwC Professional Services Assured Skills Academy offering the opportunity for 20 individuals to kick start a career in professional services.     This exciting opportunity is open to people with a 2:2 degree in any discipline, as well as those with a Level 5 qualification (HND or […]

New figures from Childline indicate rising anxiety levels about exams amongst children and young people during the current academic year.     The pandemic meant that GCSE and A-Level exams were cancelled in 2020 and 2021. However, a return to normality in September has seen the NSPCC run service provide more support to anxious students […]

New figures from the Public Health Agency (PHA) show that the Take Home Naloxone programme saw naloxone administered 256 times in 2020-21 and was successful in reversing an opioid overdose in over 90% of cases.     Naloxone, supplied in a small syringe, is injected intramuscularly and can be administered by anyone in an emergency […]

Premier League heavyweights Manchester United and Europa League finalists Rangers FC are among a 14 strong entry list for the  Junior section of the 2022 STATSports SuperCupNI.     The Junior section now consists of teams playing at Under 16 age level.     Chairman of the organising committee, Victor Leonard says, “We are delighted […]

On 22 February 2022 Minister Swann launched a public consultation on the introduction of Minimum Unit Pricing for Alcohol into Northern Ireland and it has now been extended.     Minimum Unit Pricing is a harm reduction proposal that would seek to target very cheap off-sales alcohol – such as own-brand alcohol – and help […]

The Open University (OU) has launched a raft of measures aimed at helping students and Ukrainians fleeing the war and arriving in Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.     These include financial support and assistance for existing OU students, a funding lifeline to potential students from Ukraine now living in the UK, […]

Police are appealing for witnesses following a two-vehicle road traffic collision in the Belfast Road area of Newry on Tuesday morning, 10 May 2022.     Sergeant Steven Lawson explains, “We were made aware of the collision around 11.15 am and attended alongside colleagues from Northern Ireland Ambulance Service.     “A man and woman […]

Health Minister Robin Swann has announced a £2.1million education and training investment to boost the health service workforce.     The package includes 1,335 nursing and midwifery university places for 2022/23, as well as additional medical specialty and Allied Health Profession (AHP) training posts.     “I am very pleased to make this announcement and […]

Finalists of the 2022 Miss Northern Ireland contest took part in an intense induction session at the Europa Hotel recently, in preparation for the contest.     The boot camp, which is coordinated by top modelling agency ACA Models, is designed to prepare the ambitious beauties for the final ceremony where one lucky contestant will […]

This year’s Minor section of the STATSports SuperCupNI will see some of Northern Ireland’s best young talent face stern opposition from the Republic of Ireland, the United States of America and England.     The U13 age group was introduced in 2018 with all of the group matches taking place at the Ulster University in […]

The Department for the Economy has announced 20 high-quality training places on the Microsoft 365 Cloud Academy.     Funded by the Department for the Economy, this Assured Skills programme will guarantee participants who successfully complete the Academy an interview with Microsoft for a career in a Support Engineering position with them.     However, […]

NI Water Apprentices recently swapped the ‘classroom’ for a team-building day at the Silent Valley Reservoir, nestled in the heart of the beautiful Mourne Mountains, Co Down.     As part of the NI Water Apprentice Academy, the Apprentices, Higher Level Apprentices (HLA’s) and Graduates were granted the opportunity of a behind the scenes visit […]

Ulster Bank is providing £50million in funding to support a major investment by indigenous company Fibrus that will see 330,000 homes and businesses in rural and regional areas connected with full-fibre broadband.     The £500m investment in increased connectivity is funded by public and private capital including Project Stratum, the NI Executive scheme which […]

The Department for the Economy has launched a public appointment competition to appoint a Chairperson of Tourism Northern Ireland.     No specific academic qualifications are required for the post.     Appointments will be made from those individuals who best satisfy the essential criteria detailed in the application pack. The Department particularly welcomes applications […]

Co-Ownership has announced a new affordable housing initiative for people aged over 55 who want to move to a more suitable home that better meets their needs.     The initiative is supported by Department for Communities which is providing £8m funding to Co-Ownership to pilot the new shared ownership product. Co-Ownership is the Department’s […]

The Department of Justice has announced the appointment of eight new members to the Independent Monitoring Board (IMB).     They are Andrew Bell, Chris Henderson, Mike Mawhinney, Norman McKinley, Lekan Ojo-okiji Abasi, Bryan Snoddy, Arlene Sproule and Marie Thompson.     The new members, all volunteers, took up the role on 1 April 2022 […]

In the last two years, we have learnt that vaccines really are the first line of defence against killer diseases.     This year during World Immunisation Week the Public Health Agency are reminding everyone that we cannot become complacent. So whether it’s the COVID-19 vaccine or vaccination as part of a seasonal programme or […]

Community-based campaign, Live Here Love Here, has announced that the deadline for applications for the DAERA-funded Platinum Jubilee Pollinator Garden Award has been extended until 4 May 2022.     The Platinum Jubilee Pollinator Garden Award, which is now open to applications across County Armagh until Wednesday 4 May 2022, is providing funding of £100,000 […]

Spring has finally sprung and with rising energy costs there is no better time to dust off old habits and create some new ones that are good for your pocket and the environment.     Start by thinking about how much water you are using each day.  Whether you are washing your hands, cleaning endless […]

Forty high-quality training places are available on the latest in a series of Financial Services Assured Skills Academies with FinTrU.     The Financial Services Academy, funded by the Department for the Economy, is a four-week training programme at either Belfast Met or North West Regional College leading to a potential offer of employment with […]

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has established a dedicated task force with industry representatives in response to the severe market disruptions the conflict in Ukraine is having on the costs of food production here.     The Department has recognised that the increased costs of feed, fuel and fertiliser cannot be […]

Newry Chamber and Clanrye Group have teamed up for a new initiative called ‘Back to Schools’ aimed at supporting local primary schools.     Newry Chamber is encouraging businesses or organisations who have old or unused laptops, tablets, and iPads to donate them to the scheme. They will be wiped and cleaned by Clanrye Group. […]

The Department for the Economy has announced 20 high-quality training places on a Cyber Security Assured Skills Academy with KPMG and Belfast Met (BMC).     Funded by the Department for the Economy, the Assured Skills programme will guarantee, participants who successfully complete the Academy, an interview with KPMG for a Cyber Security Analyst position […]