Northern Ireland News for December 2021

Northern Ireland News, Dec 21, 2021
New Energy Group Established
Economy Minister Gordon Lyons is encouraging people to apply for new posts that have been created in his Department's Energy Group. The Department for the Economy is seeking individuals with experien...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 21, 2021
Minister Welcomes Review Of Discretionary Support Scheme
Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has welcomed the publication of a report from a Discretionary Support independent review panel – which was established to ensure the scheme provides adequate suppor...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 21, 2021
People Of Belfast Urged To Take A 'Moment Of Reflection'
Belfast's Lord Mayor, Kate Nicholl, has called on people across the city to "pause for a moment of quiet reflection" to remember those who have died during the ongoing pandemic. Councillor Nicholl wi...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 21, 2021
Dept Of Health: 'Get Boosted For Christmas'
All adults eligible for their booster are being encouraged to get the jab at one of the many vaccination clinics in operation this week. As of yesterday, all those aged over 18 who received their sec...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 21, 2021
All Close Contacts Of Confirmed Covid-19 Cases Must Self-Isolate
All close contacts of confirmed COVID-19 cases should self-isolate and get a PCR test even if they are fully vaccinated, Health Minister Robin Swann has announced. This will help to keep case numbers...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 21, 2021
SF Raise Concerns Over 'Surge' In Domestic Violence And Murder
Sinn Féin has called for "concerted action" on the surge of domestic violence and murder during the Covid pandemic. Upper Bann MLA, John O'Dowd, said: "The number of domestic abuse incidents is deepl...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 21, 2021
Appeal For Information On West Belfast Assault
The PSNI have issued an appeal for information after a man was found with serious head injuries in west Belfast. According to police, a man, aged in his 60s, was discovered on Dover Street on the Sha...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 21, 2021
Revised Measures Approved To Protect NI Prison Service
Proposed plans by the Northern Ireland Prison Service to combat the threat of the Covid-19 pandemic over the Christmas period have been approved by Justice Minister Naomi Long. Justice Minister Naomi...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 21, 2021
Devolved Administrations Call For Proof Of Settled Status For EU Citizens
The Assembly has join the devolved administrations in Scotland and Wales in calling on the UK Government to offer EU citizens physical proof of their settled or pre-settled status. Currently, EU citi...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 21, 2021
Other News In Brief
NI Travel Industry 'Decimated' By Pandemic The DUP has called on the Finance Minister to bring forward measure to help NI's travel industry. DUP Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson made the call aft...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 20, 2021
Men Jailed For Abduction And Torture Of Kevin Lunney
Three men have been sentenced to a total of 73 years after being found guilty of abducting and torturing Kevin Lunney. In September 2019, Mr Lunney, 51, Director of Quinn Industrial Holdings (QIH), ...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 20, 2021
Another £75m Allocated To Northern Ireland
The UK government has awarded Northern Ireland another £75 million to help tackle the increase in Covid-19 cases. The funding is in addition to the £75m allocated to NI last week. Chancellor Rishi S...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 20, 2021
Woman Murdered At Her North Belfast Home
Police have issued an appeal for information following the murder of a woman in north Belfast on Saturday 18 December. The body of a 30-year-old woman was discovered at her home in Harcourt Drive. A...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 20, 2021
Man Shot Dead At Family Home In West Belfast
A man shot dead in West Belfast on Saturday 18 December has been named as 31-year-old Mark Hall. According to police, two gunmen approached Mr Hall's family home on Rodney Drive shortly after 4:30pm....
Northern Ireland News, Dec 20, 2021
Drugs Worth £1.25m Seized At Larne Port
The PSNI have seized drugs worth an estimated £1.25 million at Larne Port in a multi-agency operation. Working as part of the multi-agency Organised Crime Task Force, detectives from the Police Servi...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 20, 2021
People Urged To Get Vaccine Booster 'As Soon As Possible'
The Chief Medical Officer, Professor Sir Michael McBride, has urged people to get their vaccine booster "as soon as possible" as he warns that Omicron is highly likely to be the dominant strain in NI ...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 20, 2021
Two Men Seriously Assaulted In Bangor
The PSNI in Bangor have issued an appeal for information following an assault in the town in the early hours of Saturday morning. Two men were attacked by two other men at about 1.40am on Bridge Stre...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 20, 2021
New Research Projects Published On Transport Changes For Climate Action
Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon has announced the publication of four research projects exploring transport changes needed to help tackle the climate emergency. Commissioned by her Department ...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 20, 2021
Ministers Launch Minority Ethnic Development Fund
A new Minority Ethnic Development Fund (MEDF) 2022-25 has been announced by the First Minister and deputy First Minister. Paul Givan and Michelle O’Neill have urged eligible groups to apply to the fu...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 20, 2021
Other News In Brief
Lord Frost Resignation Opportunity For More Constructive Approach – Alliance The resignation of Lord Frost as the UK's Brexit negotiator should be an opportunity for a more pragmatic and con...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 17, 2021
Daniel Carroll Sentenced To 22 Years For The Murder Of Brian Phelan
Daniel Carroll (30) has been sentenced to 22 years for the murder of Brian Phelan on 26 July, 2018. Welcoming the sentencing, handed down today at Newry Crown Court, Detective Superintendent Eamonn C...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 17, 2021
New Multi-Million-Pound Belfast Tourism Attraction Approved
A new multi-million-pound tourism attraction is to be developed in the heart of Belfast city centre has been announced today, following the signing of the Belfast Region City Deal (BRCD) earlier this ...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 17, 2021
'Stark Failure' Of Budget To Prioritise Policing
The DUP has warned of a 'stark failure' to prioritise visible and effective local policing within the Executive's draft budget for 2022-2025. South Antrim MLA and Policing Board representative Trevor...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 17, 2021
TEC Belfast To Become Mass Vaccination Centre
TEC Belfast is to be transformed into Northern Ireland's latest mass vaccination centre. The new large-scale facility will offer walk-in and appointment options for boosters and first and second dose...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 17, 2021
Finance Minister Calls For Furlough Scheme To Be Reinstated
Finance Minister, Conor Murphy has written to the Treasury to call for additional funding and for the furlough scheme to be reinstated to deal with the increased challenges presented by Omicron. NI w...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 17, 2021
New NI Path To Net Zero Energy Strategy Announced
A new strategy to secure a clean and affordable energy future for Northern Ireland has been announced by Economy Minister Gordon Lyons. Launching the Path to Net Zero Energy, Minister Gordon, said: "...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 17, 2021
£19.8m Announced To Provide Digital Devices For NI Teachers
Almost £20 million has been announced to provide digital devices for teachers. Around 20,000 devices will be provided to all statutory nursery, Primary School, EOTAS centre, Special School and Post P...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 17, 2021
Booster Programme 'Best Chance Possible' Of Minimising Omicron Impact
Getting the Covid-19 booster is the "best possible chance" of minimising the impact of the Omicron variant. This was the message of the Executive, who meet yesterday, Thursday 16 December, to conside...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 17, 2021
Infrastructure Minister Opens First Meeting Of EV Infrastructure Task-Force
Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon has opened the first meeting of the EV Infrastructure Task-Force, welcoming participants from across the public and private sector. The aim of the Task-Force is...
Northern Ireland News, Dec 17, 2021
Other News In Brief
South Antrim Community Transport Receives New Electric Bus Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon has visited South Antrim Community Transport to welcome the delivery of their new electric b...