Northern Ireland News for December 2023

Northern Ireland News, Dec 22, 2023
Over 60 NI Businesses Support New Young People Initiative
More than 60 businesses from across Northern Ireland have announced their joint support for enterprise education charity, Young Enterprise (YE), which aims to support the next generation of Northern I...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 22, 2023
New Executive Must Prioritise NI's 2030 Sustainable Goals
Any new Northern Ireland Executive must prioritise NI's 2030 sustainable goals, despite the UK government's decision to delay environmental targets to 2050. NI renewables experts, Everun, has said th...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 22, 2023
SDLP Welcomes Irish Govt Challenge Of Legacy Bill
The SDLP has welcomed the news that the Irish Government will launch an inter-state case challenging the UK government's Legacy Bill. Following the announcement by Tánaiste Micheál Martin, SDLP Leade...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 22, 2023
People Urged To 'Protect Their Mental Health' At Christmas
The Public Health Agency (PHA) has urged people who struggle at this time of year to "take time to protect their mental health and wellbeing and that of friends and family". Fiona Teague, Regional Le...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 22, 2023
Additional £10m Flood Support Funding Announced
Additional funding of up to £10 million has been announced to support businesses severely affected by flooding in October and November. Eligible businesses impacted by flooding have already received ...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 22, 2023
Christmas Presents Stolen In Coleraine Burglary
The PSNI have issued an appeal for information after it was reported that wrapped Christmas presents were stolen during a burglary in Coleraine. Police have said that sometime between 7:30pm on Monda...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 22, 2023
Other News In Brief
Comber Greenway Works To Get Underway From 22 January The Department for Infrastructure has announced that the next phase of the proposed upgrade works along the Comber Greenway will get under...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 21, 2023
Seasonal Workers Urged To 'Check Their Pay'
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has urged festive workers to "check their pay" to ensure that they have been paid the National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage. Seasonal staff and students on short-t...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 21, 2023
NI Households Urged To Make 'Plastic Promise' This Christmas
Environmental charity, Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful, has called on 1,000 households across NI to a 'Plastic Promise' this Christmas, as part of an ongoing drive to reduce and remove single-use plas...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 21, 2023
Lord Mayor Praises Local Communities In Christmas Message
Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Ryan Murphy, has praised the "invaluable contribution" of the city's local communities in his Christmas message. The First Citizen said: "Christmas is a time to take...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 21, 2023
Irish Govt Announces Legacy Bill Court Action
The Irish government has announced that it will begin an Interstate Case against the UK governments controversial Legacy Bill. Reportedly introduced to "draw a line under the Troubles", the Bill, whi...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 21, 2023
Men Arrested In Connection With £50,000 Drug Seizure
Two men, aged 46 and 43, have been arrested in connection with the seizure of £50,000 worth of suspected Class A drugs in L'Derry. Officers travelling in the vicinity of the Foyle Bridge on the after...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 21, 2023
Man Arrested Following Burglary In Dunmurry
A 23-year-old man has been arrested by the PSNI in west Belfast in connection with a burglary at residential premises in Dunmurry in the early hours of Wednesday, 20th December. The arrest was made f...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 21, 2023
Other News In Brief
SDLP Welcomes Irish Govt Action Against Legacy Bill SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MP has welcomed confirmation from Tánaiste Micheál Martin that the Irish Government will take an inter-state case...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 20, 2023
Renewed Appeal For Information On Basil McAfee Murder
Detectives from the Police Service's Major Investigation Team have made a renewed appeal for information in connection with the murder of Basil McAfee. Mr McAfee was found dead in his north Belfast h...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 20, 2023
Executive Urgently Needed To Implement Mental Health Strategy
The Alliance Party has called for the urgent restoration of the Executive to ensure there is adequate resourcing and scrutiny of the implementation of a Mental Health Strategy. Welcoming the publicat...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 20, 2023
PSNI And DVA Conduct Proactive Safety Operation In L'Derry
The PSNI and the Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) have conducted a proactive safety operation in L'Derry, as part of ongoing road safety efforts. Following the operation, Sergeant Stewart said: "Foylesi...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 20, 2023
38-Year-Old Charged In Connection With £10m Cocaine Seizure
A 38-year-old man is due to appear before Newry Magistrates' Court charged in connection with a major drug seizure n South Armagh. An estimated £10 million of suspected Class A drugs were uncovered h...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 20, 2023
'It Is Now Time For Decisions To Be Made' – Chris Heaton-Harris
The Northern Ireland Secretary of State, Chris Heaton-Harris, has said that "it is now time for decisions to be made", following the conclusion of talks at Hillsborough. The Secretary has been holdin...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 20, 2023
Crusaders Strikers Sign Upcoming 16-Year-Old Midfielder
Crusaders Strikers has announced the official signing of promising young footballer, Mia Moore. The 16-year-old midfielder, renowned for her scoring prowess, joins the North Belfast team after a stel...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 20, 2023
NI Water Volunteers Help With Simon Community Charity Drive
NI Water volunteers have helped the Simon Community with their annual Christmas Hamper Appeal. The volunteers helped in a number of ways including donating goods, packing the hampers and delivering t...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 20, 2023
Belfast City Airport Wins Prestigious AOA Award
Belfast City Airport has been named the winner of the prestigious Airport Operators Association (AOA) Airport Health and Safety Week Award (Medium Size Airport). Belfast City Airport was recognised f...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 20, 2023
4 Corners Festival 2024 Unveils Programme Highlights
The annual 4 Corners Festival, set to return in February 2024, has unveiled a packed lineup of events from talks, discussions and exhibitions to music and literature. Now in its 12th year, the festiv...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 20, 2023
Other News In Brief
ANB Council Hosts Annual Spirit of Christmas Awards Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council has recognised remarkable contributions made by local businesses, schools, churches, community grou...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 19, 2023
People Urged To Think 'Pharmacy First' This Winter
People have been urged to think "pharmacy first" this winter, with treatment and advice on a wide range of health conditions available locally and without waiting for a Drs appointment. The Pharmacy ...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 19, 2023
Blockade Leaves Thousands Of Workers 'High And Dry' – SF
Tens of thousands of workers have been left high and dry, facing uncertainty over pay rises as a result of a failure of leadership at the very top of the DUP, Sinn Féin MLA Conor Murphy has said. Ren...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 19, 2023
Now Is The Time To Close A Deal – SDLP
The SDLP has said that "now is the time" for parties to close a deal to restore devolution, rescue public services and reward public sector workers with pay justice before Christmas. Party leader and...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 19, 2023
PHA Continues To Encourage Vaccine Uptake
The Public Health Agency (PHA) has urged eligible people to take up the offer of the free COVID-19 and flu vaccines as soon as possible to top up their protection. During the colder winter months whe...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 19, 2023
Appeal For Information On Dundonald Burglary
PSNI detectives have issued an appeal for information and witnesses following a burglary in Dundonald on Friday, 15 December. Police received a report shortly after 5.15pm on 15th December of a break...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 19, 2023
Man Arrested In Connection With Dromara Assault
A 22-year-old man has been arrested in connection with a report of an assault at licenced premises at the Rathfriland Road area of Dromara. Detective Inspector Bell said: "Shortly before 10:10pm on F...