SDLP Nominates Denise Johnston As Mid Ulster Deputy Chair

The SDLP has announced that Moyola councillor Denise Johnston will be nominated to serve as the next Deputy Chair of Mid Ulster District Council, with her new role officially commencing on June 2nd. Councillor Johnston, known as a politics teacher and long-standing victims campaigner, has actively championed issues such as the protection of Lough Neagh and urgent action on road safety across Mid Ulster.

Expressing her delight at the nomination, Councillor Johnston stated: "It's a real privilege to take on this role in a district I care so deeply about and proudly call home." She looks forward to using the opportunity to highlight community work and address shared challenges. Johnston emphasised Mid Ulster's strong community spirit, particularly in response to tragedies like the Lough Neagh pollution and grassroots road safety campaigns. She affirmed her commitment to advocating for stronger road safety laws, especially concerning school buses, to save lives.

As a long-standing victims campaigner, Johnston has witnessed the trauma faced by families seeking justice for past violence. She voiced support for the family of Sean Brown in their pursuit of justice, noting the area's compassion and resilience. Critiquing the Executive for failing to act, Johnston pledged to "do everything in my power to advocate for the causes that matter to people here" as Deputy Chair. She also expressed anticipation for visiting community groups, sports clubs, and local organisations across the district.

Sorcha Eastwood To Host Ulster GAA's First Official Westminster Visit

Alliance Lagan Valley MP Sorcha Eastwood has announced she will host Ulster GAA in their first-ever official visit to the UK Parliament next Wednesday, 04 June. The event will see senior figures from Ulster GAA, including President Michael Geoghegan and CEO Brian McAvoy, brief MPs on their extensive work across Northern Ireland's sporting and community sectors, with a primary focus on the pressing need to redevelop Casement Park.

Ms Eastwood expressed her pride in facilitating this "momentous event," which aims to bring Ulster GAA's achievements and concerns "right to the heart of political power." She highlighted the thriving nature of Irish games such as Hurling, Gaelic Football, Handball, and Camogie across the islands, emphasizing their crucial role in uniting people and enriching communities through sport, music, dance, and cultural expression.

The Alliance MP shared Ulster GAA's "immense disappointment" that Casement Park will not be ready to host Euro 2028 matches, lamenting the missed economic boost and opportunity to showcase Northern Ireland on a global stage. She reiterated Alliance's consistent calls for Casement Park to be built, despite "broken promises," and urged for its completion without further delay. Eastwood pledged to continue engaging with the Secretary of State and the UK Government to ensure Ulster GAA's insights remain central to decision-making on the project.

Sinn Féin Leaders Meet Lough Neagh Fishermen Amid New Eel Fishing Crisis

Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney, accompanied by Leas Uachtarán Michelle O'Neill MLA, recently met with a cross-section of Lough Neagh commercial fishermen and their family members to address the latest crisis affecting the lough's industry.

Following the meeting, the South Antrim MLA confirmed that a moratorium had been applied to eel fishing in Lough Neagh in recent weeks, making it "extremely important for us to hear directly from representatives of the lough's commercial fishing sector." Kearney noted that since 2023, the livelihoods of local fishermen have been negatively impacted by the "ecological catastrophe engulfing the lough," but stressed that "a new crisis point has now been reached."

The fishermen conveyed the escalating financial pressures, stating that it now costs them more to fish than they earn. They also highlighted the dwindling number of fishermen on Lough Neagh in recent decades and stressed the urgent need to secure the future of the lough and the livelihoods of local fishermen, particularly the younger generation. Kearney attributed these new challenges to the "continued outworking of the perfect storm of factors which have caused this pollution of the lough and destruction of its natural habitat and biodiversity." He concluded by reiterating that Lough Neagh is a "critical priority for Sinn Féin" and committed to continued close work with commercial fishermen, their families, and other partners to secure the tradition of commercial fishing and the environmental future of the lough.