Monthly Archives: October 2017

A service of dedication has been held at Raloo Presbyterian Church’s new hall at Crosshill near Larne. Past and present ministers were joined by the Moderator of the General Assembly, The Right Reverend Noble McNeely, who led the service and afterwards cut the ribbon to declare the building open. Moderator of the General Assembly, The Right Reverend Noble McNeely cutting the ribbon at the new hall. There was a strong turnout from the community with elected representatives including the Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Cllr Paul Reid, and MLAs Gordon Lyons (DUP) and Roy Beggs (UUP) also in attendance. A family service was held in the church the following day, October 1. Pupils from the Music Yard in Larne, led by Thomas Hamilton, sang and played. In the evening, there was a thanksgiving and praise service with well-known local harpist and soprano, Catherine Hamilton, with her band of singers … Continue reading →

Northern Ireland’s five health trusts have outlined proposals to make £70m worth of savings. The five trusts have been asked to deliver the savings by the Department of Health. The proposals have now been unveiled to the public as part of a six-week consultation following meetings across Northern Ireland on Thursday. Political figures have been having their say in response to the savings plans. Image copyright Pacemaker Edwin Poots, DUP MLA “Some of the suggestions for savings from the health trusts are alarming, and my colleagues and I will be taking time to study them in detail over the next few days. “It is clear for all to see that a region can’t have an absence of government without there being consequences. “Sinn Féin failed to bring forward a budget before they collapsed the executive, and desperately needed health reforms have been stymied over the last year. “The DUP will … Continue reading →

Observers from across Northern Ireland have broadly welcomed the formation of the new paramilitary task force – but have expressed some scepticism about its role and aims. Last week Chief Constable George Hamilton revealed that a new joint task force to tackle loyalist and republican crime groups will receive £25m over the next five years. He said Northern Ireland has around 100 organised crime groups. Pastor Jack McKee Shankill Road pastor Jack McKee, who has been intimidated by paramilitaries, gave a cautious welcome. “I would say, I always welcome any response from the PSNI and other authorities to tackle paramilitary abuses, criminality and drug dealing,” he said. “And I welcome the chief constable’s comment that, ‘the fear and misery caused in our communities by paramilitaries is unacceptable and should not be tolerated’. However, I am so disappointed that this is such a Johnny-come-lately attitude as some of us have been … Continue reading →

Observers from across Northern Ireland have broadly welcomed the formation of the new paramilitary task force – but have expressed some scepticism about its role and aims. Last week Chief Constable George Hamilton revealed that a new joint task force to tackle loyalist and republican crime groups will receive £25m over the next five years. He said Northern Ireland has around 100 organised crime groups. Pastor Jack McKee Shankill Road pastor Jack McKee, who has been intimidated by paramilitaries, gave a cautious welcome. “I would say, I always welcome any response from the PSNI and other authorities to tackle paramilitary abuses, criminality and drug dealing,” he said. “And I welcome the chief constable’s comment that, ‘the fear and misery caused in our communities by paramilitaries is unacceptable and should not be tolerated’. However, I am so disappointed that this is such a Johnny-come-lately attitude as some of us have been … Continue reading →