Monthly Archives: February 2019

SDLP Link-up with Fianna Fail a bid to end vacuum left by Stormont failure, says Eastwood

SDLP’s Colum Eastwood and Fianna Fail’s Micheal Martin address the conference in Belfast yesterday By Victoria Leonard January 25 2019 SDLP leader Colum Eastwood said his party’s partnership with Fianna Fail “marks an important contribution in finally breaking the cycle of vacuum and division which has failed our people over the last two years”. Sharing a platform with Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin at yesterday’s announcement of the plan, Mr Eastwood referred to last Saturday’s car bomb in Londonderry and subsequent security alerts, warning that “political vacuums never end well in Northern Ireland”, and describing the Stormont stalemate as a “disgrace” and a “crisis”. SDLP MLA Claire Hanna, who has spoken out against the political partnership, was notable by her absence. In his speech Mr Eastwood said he accepted the partnership “may be uncomfortable for some in both our parties”, and that the proposal would be brought before the SDLP … Continue reading

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East Antrim MLA extends invite for ‘Workshy William’ to visit Carrickfergus

The Duke of Cambridge has found himself on thin ice after it emerged he skipped a major Commonwealth Day event to go on a ski trip. The Prince found himself branded ‘Workshy William’ and ‘Throne Idle’ after it was revealed he had been partying on a ‘lads only’ trip in the Swiss resort of Verbier while his wife Kate stayed at home with their children, and just hours before fellow Royals attended a Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey. Pictures of Prince William high-fiving Australian model Sophie Taylor made front page news while videos of him ‘dad dancing’ in a night club also went viral online. According to listings in the Court Circular, this year Prince William has performed just 13 royal duties compared to 24 by his 90-year-old grandmother, The Queen, who was sick for most of January. The UUP’s Roy Beggs said he would prefer it if Prince William … Continue reading

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Northern Ireland has gone from trail blazer to straggler on organ donation reform

Ulster Unionist Health Spokesperson, Roy Beggs MLA, has said that whilst Northern Ireland was once considered a trail blazer on changes to organ donation, it has now fallen behind to have the most out-dated system in the UK. Speaking after the Organ Donation (deemed consent) Bill for England was passed at Parliament, Roy Beggs said: “Whilst organ donation here continues to have strong public support, unfortunately there remains a shortfall between the number of donors and the actual number of organs needed. “As a result, each and every year in Northern Ireland, there are people passing away whilst waiting for a transplant. Many are perfectly healthy otherwise so it is total tragedy that these people aren’t surviving long enough to receive the life-saving phone call. “I fully appreciate that organ donation is an incredibly sensitive issue, especially at times of great grief and sadness. Yet there are countless cases in … Continue reading

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Convicted sex offender admits breaching order

Robert Liddle By Staff Reporter November 28 2018 A convicted paedophile has admitted breaching a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO), by being in an area where children were present. Robert John Liddle (70), from Moorlough Road, Lisnaskea, breached the order on June 16 at Castle Archdale Country Park by being within 30 metres of a children’s play area and a marina, where a number of juveniles were frequenting. Dressed in navy trousers and a black and red anorak, Liddle stood in the dock of Dungannon Crown Court, to have the charge read. After a brief pause, he replied, “Guilty” in a loud, clear voice. Judge Roseanne McCormick directed pre-sentence reports are prepared. Defence counsel advised they intend to provide an engineer’s report on the logistics of the incident, as well as seeking an examination of Liddle by a psychologist. The prosecution did not object to continuing bail pending sentence. Judge … Continue reading

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Stormont: Foyle MLA reacts after the failure to elect new speaker

A SDLP MLA for Foyle has reacted after political representatives at Stormont failed to elect an new speaker to replace the outgoing one, William Hay, who has retired because of ill health. All three candidates fell short because of a lack of cross party support. Sinn Fein has said the DUP should have honoured assurances that it would support their nominee, Mitchel McLaughlin. It is understood that some amongst the unionist party are hostile to the election of a Sinn Fein Speaker. But, in the absence of a replacement for Mr Hay, Mr McLaughlin will remain in place as the principal deputy speaker, along with deputy speakers John Dallat of the SDLP and Roy Beggs of the ulster Unionist Party. SDLP man , Pat Ramsey said however that Sinn Fein have missed the chance to elect a nationalist speaker for the first time in the history of the Stormont parliament. … Continue reading

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