
Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has announced that she is providing £200,000 match funding to Community Foundation NI’s (CFNI) Coronavirus Community Fund. The new fund is being used to support older people and other issues emerging from coronavirus. Grants of £1,000 are available, however, applications for up to £2,500 of emergency funding to community […]
Mar 23 2020 | Posted in
Coronavirus |
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In consultation with the Justice Minister Naomi Long MLA, the Director-General of the Northern Ireland Prison Service has announced that he has reluctantly taken the decision to suspend all visits to prisons from Monday 23 March. Ronnie Armour said, “The safety of everyone in our prisons is paramount. “As decisions have been made […]
Mar 23 2020 | Posted in
Coronavirus |
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The Police Service of Northern Ireland is urging the public to be on their guard against cold callers and scammers who continue to prey on the community by taking advantage of householders, even during the COVID 19 pandemic. Speaking to Newry Times, Chief Superintendent Simon Walls said, “Unfortunately, during these unprecedented times there are still […]

Sinn Féin MP for Newry and Armagh Mickey Brady has called on young people to act responsibly and to join the community effort against COVID19. Speaking to Newry Times, the local MP said, “I have received numerous reports of significant numbers of young people gathering in public spaces. “I would appeal directly to […]
Mar 23 2020 | Posted in
Coronavirus |
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DAERA Minister Edwin Poots MLA has temporarily closed some public-facing facilities at DAERA-owned forests, country parks, nature reserves and fisheries offices until the end of May 2020. In line with recent COVID-19 advice on social distancing, facilities such as camping amenities, museums, mobile concessions and visitor centres will be closed at all sites from today, […]
Mar 23 2020 | Posted in
Coronavirus |
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Health Minister Robin Swann has issued a letter to the childcare sector in relation to Covid-19. The letter clarifies that childcare – both daycare and childminding – will continue in Northern Ireland to meet the needs of parents who are key workers and vulnerable children. Speaking to Newry Times, Health Minister, Robin Swann […]
Mar 23 2020 | Posted in
Coronavirus |
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Sinn Féin MP Chris Hazzard has called for the self-employed to be given the same income protections as others during the COVID-19 crisis. Speaking to Newry Times, the South Down MP said, “All businesses are coming under huge pressure as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic. “The self-employed, those in the gig economy, […]
Mar 23 2020 | Posted in
Coronavirus |
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In response to unprecedented pressures caused by the current COVID-19 circumstances on local and national supply chains, Infrastructure Minister, Nichola Mallon, has taken the important further step of relaxing drivers’ hours rules. The relaxation of drivers’ hours is for the delivery and movement of all important goods that people in our communities, in particular vulnerable […]
Mar 23 2020 | Posted in
Coronavirus |
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Finance Minister Conor Murphy has written to the Chancellor Rishi Sunak urging him to support all workers impacted by the Covid-19 crisis. The text of the letter reads, “I very much welcome the announcement of a scheme to subsidise the payroll costs of businesses. “This has reassured many people that their jobs and […]
Mar 23 2020 | Posted in
Coronavirus |
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Police have charged four men, aged 25, 28, 32 and 35, with a number of offences. They include possessing counterfeit currency and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place. The 28-year-old man has also been charged with a number of motoring offences. Shortly before 12pm police were advised that a white […]
Mar 23 2020 | Posted in
Community |
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