Northern Ireland News for December 2020

Northern Ireland News, Dec 4, 2020
New £40m College Campus 'Significant Boost To Economy'
The development of a new £40 million campus for the Northern Regional College (NRC) has been welcomed as a "significant boost to the economy at a very challenging time". The Economy Minister Diane Do...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 4, 2020
Renewed Appeal For Information On Murder Of James Donegan
The PSNI have issued a fresh appeal for information on the murder of James Donegan, who was shot dead outside a school in West Belfast on Tuesday 04 December, 2018. The 43-year-old father, known as J...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 4, 2020
No Further Restrictions Before Christmas
NI's non-essential retail and some parts of the hospitality sector will be allowed to reopen again next Friday, as the current circuit breaker restrictions end at midnight on Thursday 10 December. It...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 4, 2020
Appeal For Information On Aggravated Burglary
The PSNI have issued an appeal for information and witnesses following a report of an aggravated burglary at a house in the Cupar Way area of Belfast last night. At approximately 11.00pm two men, one...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 4, 2020
Man Shot In Both Legs In West Belfast
Police have issued an appeal for information following a shooting incident in west Belfast. According to reports, a man, aged in his 30s, was shot in both legs in a "paramilitary-style attack" on Dow...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 4, 2020
8,000 New Homes Needed Across Ards Area
NI Water has announced that the Ards and North Down area will need around 8,000 new homes by 2030. The company made the announcement at the Ards and North Down Borough Council meeting, to update repr...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 4, 2020
New Gift Card Legislation Urgently Needed
Northern Ireland needs new legislation on gift cards, following the news that Topshop, part of the Arcadia group, has introduced new rules restricting the use of vouchers for shoppers, having gone int...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 4, 2020
Time To Plan For A New Future For Everyone - SF
Sinn Féin have said that it is time to "plan for a new future which will work for everyone", as they welcome the publication by Ireland's Future of its discussion paper 'The Conversation on Ireland's ...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 4, 2020
NI Businesses Urged To Check Their 'Preparedness For The End Of Transition'
Businesses across Northern Ireland are being urged to check their preparedness for the end of the Brexit transition period. Making the call after she joined the agendaNi Annual Northern Ireland Econo...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 4, 2020
Other News In Brief
New Disability Strategy Unveiled On International Day of Persons With Disabilities The Department for Communities and Disability Action has co-hosted an online event to celebrate the United ...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 3, 2020
Vaccine News Allows Us To 'Look To The Future With Optimism And Patience'
Vaccines have saved millions of lives and changed our world, so the news of the UK's first regulatory approval for a Covid-19 vaccine is hugely significant, Chief Medical Officer Dr Michael McBride an...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 3, 2020
Belfast City Council Seeks Views On Coronavirus Recovery Plans
The public are being urged to get involved in shaping Belfast's coronavirus recovery plans to help create a better future. Belfast City Council is gathering views from people across the city about ho...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 3, 2020
First Tree Planted In One Million Trees Campaign
Belfast Lord Mayor Alderman Frank McCoubrey has planted the first of One Million Trees as part of a joint pledge to plant 1,000,000 native trees across the city by 2035. The planting at Sir Thomas an...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 3, 2020
Yellow Warning For Ice Issued
The Met Office have issued a Yellow Warning for ice with temperatures overnight expected to hit -3c. The weather warning comes into effect from 5pm today until 10am tomorrow. Widespread frost is exp...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 3, 2020
New Measures To Support Childcare Providers
Education Minister, Peter Weir has announced new proposals to assist sustainability of the childcare sector. The Minister outlined plans following the allocation of £8.5 million funding in October fo...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 3, 2020
£25M Sports Sustainability Fund To Open
A £25M Sports Sustainability Fund, to help those clubs and governing bodies who have been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, will open for applications tomorrow, Communities Minister Carál Ní Chuilín ...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 3, 2020
Suspected Drug Factory Uncovered In Newtownabbey
The PSNI have issued an appeal for information following the discovery of a suspected drug factory in Newtownabbey. The facility was uncovered after police had earlier arrested a 45-year-old man in t...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 3, 2020
Additional £3.25m For Arts And Creative Sectors
An additional £3.25 million has been secured for individuals who work across the arts and wider creative economy, Communities Minister Carál Ní Chuilín has announced. At a meeting with the sector the...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 3, 2020
L'Derry-Based Tobermore Creates 95 News Jobs
L'Derry-based Tobermore has announced the creation of 95 new jobs following the completion of a new state-of-the-art Production Facility. The £10million factory is now live and operational as the com...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 3, 2020
Other News In Brief
Support Fund For The Newly Self-Employed Announced A new Covid-19 support scheme worth £10m for the newly self-employed has been announced by Economy Minister Diane Dodds. Minister Dodds sa...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 2, 2020
First Covid-19 Vaccine Approved For Use Across The UK
The announcement that the first Covid-19 vaccine has been approved for widespread use has been welcomed as a "hugely significant day for Northern Ireland" by Health Minister Robin Swann. The approval...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 2, 2020
Executive Urged To Make One-Off 'Gratitude' Payment To Healthcare Workers
The Northern Ireland Executive has been urged to follow the lead of the Scottish government and provide a one off payment to their health and care sector staff of £500. Making the call, SDLP Health S...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 2, 2020
New Zero And Low Emissions Public Buses Announced
Local firm Wrightbus have been contracted to supply 145 zero and low emission buses in what has been described as a "significant leap forward" in the decarbonisation of public transport in Northern Ir...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 2, 2020
Party's Slam Finucane Decision As An 'Insult'
Sinn Féin, Alliance, the SDLP and the Green Party have described the UK government's decision not to order a public inquiry into the murder of Pat Finucane as an "insult" to the Belfast solicitors fam...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 2, 2020
NI Covid-Related Deaths Pass 1,000
The number of Covid-related deaths recorded by the Department of Health has passed 1,000. Health Minister Robin Swann described the total number of deaths as a "sad milestone" and urged people to "ne...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 2, 2020
Taxi Drivers In Urgent Need Of Financial Help
All taxi drivers urgently need to be able to access Covid-19 financial supports grants, Sinn Féin MLA Martina Anderson. The Foyle MLA continued: "Taxi drivers who have been excluded from a COVID-19 g...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 2, 2020
Man Injured In Craigavon Explosion
An investigation has been launched following an explosion in Craigavon. According to reports a man is being treated in hospital for injuries to his hands and chest after a device is said to have "par...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 2, 2020
NOW Group Reach 60,000 JAM Card Users Milestone
The NOW Group has marked International Day of People with Disability by highlighting that there are now some 60,000 JAM card users across the UK and Ireland. Launched by the NOW Group – Belfast-base...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 2, 2020
NI Farmers To Benefit From £3.6m In EC Funding
Northern Ireland farmers are set to receive a total of £3.6million in reimbursement payments from the European Commission, Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots has announced. The financial discipline mec...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 2, 2020
Other News In Brief
Ice Warning Issued As Overnight Temperatures To Drop To Zero The Met Officer has issued an ice warning as temperatures are set to fall across NI over Wednesday night. The forecaster has sai...