Refurb Work On NI Hospice In Belfast Complete

A £13 million two-year construction project has been completed in Belfast.

Refurbishment work at the NI Hospice on the Somerton Road included a new 18 bed unit which will provide palliative care for patients with a wide range of life-limiting illnesses.

Health Minister Michelle O'Neill visited the new facility and paid tribute to the work done by hospices in Northern Ireland.

She said: "The NI Hospice plays a key part in caring for and supporting people with palliative and end of life care needs, as well as their families and carers, often when they are at their most vulnerable. I want to express my appreciation for the many staff and volunteers for their professionalism, commitment and dedication. Thanks to them, significant progress has been made to improve the quality of palliative and end of life care in the north."

SDLP Cllr Selected As New Chair Of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council

SDLP Councillor Gillian Fitzpatrick has been selected as the new Chair of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council.

Mrs Fitzpatrick, currently Vice Chair of the council, said that her year will be marked by a commitment to build the local economy and stem the tide of emigration forced upon young people living in the district.

She said: "It is a deep honour and privilege to have been chosen to serve as the Chair of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council. I want to thank my party colleagues for the faith they have shown in me both in the past year as Vice Chair of the Council and going forward as Newry, Mourne and Down’s First Citizen.

"I will stand shoulder to shoulder with trade, tourism and business representatives from across Newry, Mourne and Down as we seek to forge a new, dynamic local economy that will turn the page on the dereliction that has plagued towns across our district. We have the powers to address this situation, I'm committed to doing all I can to ensure they are used to maximum effect to enhance our communities."

Call For Jude Collins To Apologise Over BB Comments

An Ulster Unionist MLA is calling on Jude Collins to apologise after he appeared to say that members of the Boys' Brigad (BB) are comparable to young people taking part in dissident republican paramilitary parades.

UUP MLA Roy Beggs has served as a BB Officer for 19 years and he is calling for the commentator to apologise and withdraw his remarks.

Mr Beggs said: It is deeply offensive for a commentator to compare a church based youth organisation with dissident republicans in masked paramilitary uniform. The BB is involved in charity fundraising, volunteering for the benefit of the community and many young men participate in the Duke of Edinburgh scheme, gaining skills that will benefit them and their community.

"How could anyone compare the BB with violent paramilitaries? Dissident republican gang members have recently been involved in murderous activity on both sides of the border. Surely the focus of any right thinking commentator should be on ending paramilitary activity, rather than causing offence to boys, parents and officers belonging to one of the main church based youth organisations in Northern Ireland?"

(CD)